Rich heritage, promising future
Netherlands-Russia, a relationship to celebrate
The Netherlands-Russia year 2013 celebrates the long standing relationship between these two countries. This occasion will be highlighted with a variety of economic, cultural and social events throughout the year. ING is taking part in many of these celebrations and would like to invite you to join us. This digital magazine aims to provide you with more information about the bilateral year, the history of the Dutch-Russian relationship, business opportunities and upcoming events.
Russia and the Netherlands share a rich history which dates back to the days when Tsar Peter the Great first visited the Netherlands. During the Netherlands-Russia year 2013, the two countries will highlight and celebrate their strong ties. Trade has always been an important driver of this relationship and has resulted in the share of knowledge and expertise amongst Dutch and Russian entrepreneurs. This in turn has grown substantial business cooperation between the pair, with trade and investment volumes nearly quadrupling in the past decade.
As a provider of financial services, ING has a long track record in facilitating these commercial ties. ING officially entered the Russian market in 1994, but the bank's unofficial history dates back more than 200 years through its predecessor companies The first bank account opened at Barings, now ING, was by a Russian client in 1775. Barings financed Russian trade from the eighteenth century onwards, trading as a merchant bank in a wide variety of Russian goods. ING now partners with many large Russian corporates and in doing so contributes to the growth of Russian business both locally and internationally. As the main bank for many Dutch companies, we serve the needs of these clients as well as help them identify opportunities abroad, such as in Russia.
The future for both sides looks promising. The Russian market is growing and becoming more open, whilst at the same time the Dutch business environment is becoming more attractive for Russian entrepreneurs. We hope that the Netherlands-Russia year 2013 will strengthen these ties even further and bring about new business opportunities for both countries. We hope to facilitate all this further by co-organising the Netherlands-Russia Business Meet, one of the key business events this year. This event plans to enhance and intensify economic relations between the two nations by bringing together key figures from the world of Dutch and Russian business.
As Tsar Peter the Great often preached; opportunities only occur when we go out and meet new people.
William Connelly CEO ING Commercial Banking
Netherlands-Russia year 2013- Agenda
Netherlands Russia Business Meet
The Netherlands Russia Business Meet 2013
Netherlands-Russia year 2013
April 8 - Official opening of Dutch-Russian Bilateral Year; location: Peter the Great exhibition, Hermitage, Amsterdam; official dignitaries at the event include Her Majesty Queen Beatrix, President Putin
April 8 - Netherlands-Russia Business Meet; Beurs van Berlage, Amsterdam
April 8 - CEO Round Table with President Putin and Prime-minister Rutte
May 30 - 31 - European Business Forum; location Okura Hotel
June – November - Dutch programme in Russia (Moscow, St Petersburg and other Russian locations)
19 - 22 June - St Petersburg International Economic Forum, with Guest of Honor Netherlands. Delegation of Dutch CEOs headed by the Prime Minister. The Forum starts with a Dutch Business Meet (Dutch Splash)
1st half of September - Dutch Cultural Festival in Gorki Park, Moscow, opened by the Dutch State Secretary for Education, Culture & Science
24-27 September - Maritime programme at the NEVA Trade Fair in St Petersburg. Broad-based business delegation headed by the Minister of Infrastructure & the Environment, combined with a visit by the Dutch fleet attended by the Dutch Minister of Defence
1st half of October - Agricultural programme in Moscow and another city. Agribusiness delegation headed by the Dutch State Secretary for Agriculture
1st half of November - Official closing of the Dutch-Russian Bilateral Year in Moscow, St Petersburg and another city. Broad-based business delegation headed by the Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation. The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra will take part in the official closing
8 - 10 November - The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra tour of Russia. Concerts in St Petersburg (8 November), Moscow (9 November, the Dutch royal family to attend) and again in Moscow (10 November)
More information on the activities in The Netherlands-Russia year 2013: www.nlrf2013.nl
The Netherlands-Russia Business Meet
The Netherlands-Russia Business Meet is one of the key events in the Netherlands in the economic program of the bilateral year. It aims to enhance and intensify bilateral economic relations between Russia and the Netherlands and brings together businesspeople, entrepreneurs and public sector representatives from both countries.
We are proud to welcome a high level official Russian delegation and an extensive Russian business delegation at the Netherlands-Russia Business Meet on April 8th in Amsterdam. It features industry-sector sessions and plenary sessions with Public and Private sector keynote speakers. A Matchmaking area with Meeting-Points per sector will be set up to help you to get in contact with interesting business partners.
Opening
Opening by Ewout Michels, Partner of KPMG
Welcome by Henk Kamp, Minister of Economic Affairs of the Netherlands
Key note by Frans van Houten, CEO of Philips
Key note by Gazprom
Sessions
1 Innovation is our inspiration (Technology, Media & Telecom)
2 How to create sustainable, accessible and affordable healthcare (Healthcare)
3 Integrated infrastructure development and vibrant cities (Infra and Logistics)
4 Enhancing the quality of life (Agri & Food)
5 Innovative, successful and sustainable energy co-operation (Natural Resources)
6 Business opportunities in Russia and the Netherlands
Closing session
Key note by Lilianne Ploumen, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Netherlands
Key note by Arkady V. Dvorkovich, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation
Closing remarks remarks by William Connelly, Board member of ING
