Dutch dairy delegation in Sri Lanka next week

Saturday, 6 June 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A Dutch delegation of dairy companies and training institutes will visit Sri Lanka to explore potential investments and opportunities in the dairy sector, the embassy said in a statement said.

The delegation, which will be in Sri Lanka on 8-9 June, will be led by Sara Knijff, Director International Agriculture of the Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs.

Building on the many decades of cooperation between the Netherlands and Sri Lanka, the Netherlands Embassy has recognised the large potential for cooperation in the dairy sector. The delegation will be going on field visits to understand what the dairy business entails in Sri Lanka and will meet with many local companies and organisations to find out where cooperation will be beneficial to all parties.

They will attend a trade seminar on the 9 June to meet with dairy sector policy makers, industry players and academics.

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This will be followed by a matchmaking session organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce where the members of the delegation will meet with local companies from the sector.

The Netherlands is well-known for excellent achievements in agriculture. The Dutch are the second largest exporter of agricultural products worldwide, including famous Dutch dairy products such as cheese and condensed milk. In the growing global market Dutch dairy is renowned for quality products and innovations. In Sri Lanka dairy production is equally important for the country’s economy and the people’s wellbeing.

However, the supply of the Sri Lankan fresh dairy production cannot yet meet the demand for milk, yoghurt and other products. Therefore large quantities of milk powder have to be imported. This is where Dutch companies and organisations can share expertise and provide the necessary training and equipment, be it for fodder, cooling facilities, construction of stables or milking equipment.

“This visit should result in long-term business activities which will contribute towards economic development in Sri Lanka and the Netherlands,” Louis Piët, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands said.

Sri Lanka and the Netherlands have a history of working together in the dairy sector. In the past the focus was on development cooperation and knowledge exchange. Many senior Sri Lanka Government officials have benefited from training in the Netherlands.

Today the Dutch no longer provide development cooperation to Sri Lanka but focus on building and strengthening economic ties. This focus is beautifully reflected in the Embassy’s slogan, ‘Sri Lanka – the Netherlands; Old Friends – New Trends’.