India Absolutely on the Right Track Under PM Modi’s Leadership: Dutch CEOs
Leading Dutch business executives on Saturday praised India’s economic growth, infrastructure expansion and innovation ecosystem during an interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The meeting, attended by CEOs from sectors including aviation, semiconductors, shipping, agriculture and technology, focused on expanding India-Netherlands economic cooperation and investment opportunities.
Speaking after the interaction, Sander van ’t Noordende said India has witnessed rapid transformation over the past decade.
“The last 10 years have seen a notable acceleration in everything — infrastructure, technology, consumer goods, as well as the labour market and employment. India is absolutely on the right track, and obviously that is under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership,” he said.
Marjan Rintel highlighted the airline’s long-standing presence in India and growing operations in the country.
“KLM has been operating in India for 70 years, and business and innovation in India are very important,” she said, adding that the airline recently added Hyderabad as its fourth destination in India.
Executives from the maritime and logistics sectors also underlined India’s growing importance in global shipping and transport infrastructure.
Derk Te Bokkel said PM Modi possesses strong understanding of the shipping sector from his tenure in Gujarat and noted that the company is supporting Indian shipyards in building large dredging vessels.
Keith Svendsen recalled earlier discussions with PM Modi at the Vibrant Gujarat Forum and said the Prime Minister clearly recognised the importance of ports and transport infrastructure in driving economic growth.
In the semiconductor sector, Maurice Geraets said the company sees major growth opportunities in India and welcomed the government’s focus on the sector.
NXP Semiconductors has been operating in India since 1969 and currently employs around 4,000 people in the country.
Technology investor Fabricio Bloisi said the company is exploring ways to significantly expand investments in India and described artificial intelligence as a major area for collaboration between India and the Netherlands.
On agriculture cooperation, Martin Eggink stressed the importance of international partnerships for ensuring global food security and supported PM Modi’s emphasis on collaboration.
Hans Huistra said the company has been active in India since 2014 and praised the government’s focus on strengthening the agriculture sector.
The discussions also highlighted cooperation in maritime infrastructure and trade. Arnout Damen said the company hopes to combine its shipbuilding expertise with India’s growth ambitions.
Business leaders noted that closer ties between India and the Netherlands would help strengthen economic resilience and create new opportunities across sectors including technology, logistics, agriculture and manufacturing.
-IANS
