February 2012 - Association of Dutch Businessmen

Embassy news
bio-energy, energy efficiency and smart grids at the
Clean Energy Expo, in a booth at the European Pavilion.
On PV Asia Pacific Expo Professor Wim Sinke of Energy
Center Netherlands (ECN) held a presentation about
cost reduction in PV. The first edition of Asia Smart Grid
opened with a presentation of Mr Willem van Putten,
Managing Director Asia Pacific of KEMA. He shortly
highlighted the smart grid experiment in the Netherlands:
PowerMatching City. The Embassy together with KEMA
organized a roundtable discussion for leaders in the
energy industry. Participants represented public and
private organizations, and were given an overview of the
Energy sector in the Netherlands and Europe.
• Visit of Droog Design, November 2011
Co-founder and director of Droog Design, Renny
Ramakers, was in Singapore to explore the possibilities
of establishing a Droog Lab in Singapore with the ‘global
hub concept’ as its central theme. The ambitious mission
of Droog Lab is to define the next generation of global
design by investing local contexts. Lab destinations so far
have been Dubai, the Canadian North, New York, Moscow,
Dharavi (India), Hasselt (Belgium) and Shenzhen (China).
The Embassy in collaboration with DesignSingapore
Council prepared a programme, which gave Droog
the opportunity to meet with local design agencies,
universities, government agencies and private sector
organizations. Based on their findings, Droog is now
considering establishing a Droog Lab in Singapore in 2012.
The New Year: 2012
Although Singapore, the Netherlands, and other global
hubs do share core competencies, each also boasts
distinct specializations. These specializations are deeply
rooted in history. They enable each hub to develop its
own unique economic ecosystems. Naturally, these
ecosystems are directly linked to the focus sectors. In the
Netherlands, there are three main economic ecosystems
interwoven with the country’s progress: Water, Trade &
Logistics, and Food/Nutrition/Agriculture/Environment.
Interrelated, each facilitates the others.
There is also a new ecosystem evolving in the
Netherlands: Design and Innovation, extremely fastgrowing
at 7% a year. Leadership, creativity, and
excellence within the unique economic ecosystems,
and the focus sectors, are key. These drivers will enable
Singapore and the Netherlands to grow as innovative,
knowledge-based economies. In turn, they will allow
both nations to fully realize their potential as global hubs
with mainport functions.
In 2012, the Embassy will continue its activities in
the four priority sectors, while at the same time a fifth
sector, Food & Nutrition, will be explored. As in 2011,
delegations from private and public sector are expected,
as well as delegations of knowledge institutions, and
the Embassy will be facilitating and organizing Dutch
participation in many trade shows and events.
Last but not least: the Embassy looks forward to
continuing the fruitful and pleasant cooperation with
all Dutch organizations in Singapore. The first event is
already planned; on 23 February ADB and DutchCham
will jointly organize a Q&A session with Professor
Jacqueline Cramer, followed by a network reception at
the Hollandse Club.
Wishing you all a successful 2012!
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