Dutch CEOs Hail India as Key Hub for Growth, Investment, Innovation
Keith Svendsen, CEO of APM Terminals, welcomed India’s economic growth ambitions and stressed the importance of an India-European Union trade agreement
The Hague: Dutch business leaders praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for India’s economic growth and highlighted growing opportunities in semiconductors, infrastructure and trade after interacting with him at the CEO Round Table on Economic Ties.
Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of Port of Rotterdam Authority, said he was impressed by PM Modi’s energy and determination. He noted that India and the Netherlands have major opportunities to deepen economic partnerships.
“I am tremendously impressed by the energy and the determination with which Prime Minister Modi addressed us. What I specifically liked is that he said the best is yet to come,” Siemons told ANI.
Christophe Fouquet, President and CEO of ASML, said the strategic partnership signed between ASML and Tata Electronics reflects India’s strong ambitions in the semiconductor sector under PM Modi’s leadership.
“The strategic partnership that we signed today with Tata Electronics is the result of the very strong ambition from PM Modi to get the semiconductor industry in India,” Fouquet said, adding that he had been impressed by India’s plans during the Semicon India event last year.
Keith Svendsen, CEO of APM Terminals, welcomed India’s economic growth ambitions and stressed the importance of an India-European Union trade agreement. He said the company is making progress on commitments discussed with PM Modi last year, including shipbuilding, container manufacturing and training centres in India.
“We are also investing in new infrastructure in India,” Svendsen said.
Dick Richelle, Chairman and CEO of Vopak, praised India’s transformation over the past decade and highlighted opportunities for cooperation between India, the Netherlands and the European Union, especially in infrastructure and investment.
“I’m absolutely amazed by the fantastic transformation that has happened in India over the past 12 years under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi,” Richelle said.
Addressing the CEOs Roundtable, PM Modi said more than 300 Dutch companies are now part of India’s growth story and noted that the Netherlands has become India’s largest investor from Europe and second-largest trading partner.
“Today’s India is a symbol of scale and stability,” PM Modi said, adding that India is the world’s fastest-growing major economy and is continuously improving ease of doing business through reforms and reduced compliance requirements.
