Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Minister Liesje Schreinemacher will visit South Korea and Japan as part of a trade mission that started on Monday in a bid to foster commercial ties in fields such as hydrogen and battery technology.

The trade mission comes at a time when the EU is attempting to speed up its transition to renewable energies, in which hydrogen plays a large role. Over the past decade, the EU has been among the world leaders when it comes to registering hydrogen-related patents along with others including Japan and South Korea.

“The Netherlands has good economic relations with South Korea and Japan. I consider it important to further strengthen ties with these like-minded partners. The two countries are technologically advanced economies with many opportunities for further cooperation in trade and innovation. With the trade mission, we are helping Dutch companies to establish contacts and cash in on opportunities,” Schreinemacher stated prior to the trade mission.

Schreinemacher was accompanied by 72 representatives from 47 companies with most of them being active in the fields of hydrogen, battery technology, wind power and greenhouse farming.

“From the construction of electric charging stations and offshore wind turbines. To sustainable greenhouse horticulture and the deployment of green hydrogen. The transition to a sustainable economy in both Japan and South Korea offers huge opportunities for Dutch entrepreneurs,” said Ingrid Thijssen, chairwoman of the Dutch employers’ federation VNO-NCW and business mission leader.

“After all, Dutch companies in particular are praised worldwide for their sustainable expertise. I, therefore, think it is fantastic to see that we are going to Japan and South Korea with such a nice mix of innovative companies,” she added.

The delegation will visit the Interbattery and EV Trend exhibitions in Seoul, as well as the World Smart Energy Week in Tokyo.

The mission takes place just months after the Netherlands and South Korea entered a strategic partnership, with the goal of intensifying joint cooperation in the field of semiconductors, among others.

Just a week ago, Schreinemachers announced that the Dutch government would implement export controls on chip-making technology destined for the Chinese market, building on a deal struck between the Netherlands, Japan and the US back in January.

“We are with nearly 50 companies on a trade mission in South Korea and Japan. We are coming here with solutions for battery and chip technology and wind energy, among others. Better mutual cooperation also ensures a better energy transition. Great opportunities for our Dutch business community!” Schreinemacher tweeted.

(Benedikt Stöckl | EURACTIV.com)