NL: Joining forces to aid international horticulture

To accelerate international horticulture projects, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), Invest International, and Dutch Greenhouse Delta (DGD) have joined forces. On 14 May, the three parties formalized their collaboration by uniting three puzzle pieces as a symbol of their shared ambition: to realize international projects more effectively through early alignment on financing and ecosystem development.

The Dutch horticulture sector is internationally renowned for its innovative and efficient production methods. However, in emerging markets, implementing these advanced technologies is often a challenge, as horticulture is still developing there and is frequently perceived as a high-risk investment. By combining their expertise and networks, RVO, Invest International, and DGD aim to accelerate the realization of projects utilizing Dutch horticultural knowledge and technology in international regions. At an early stage, the financing landscape is explored, networks with financiers are established, and joint efforts are made to identify ways to reduce risks, thereby lowering the threshold for investors and enabling the development of sustainable ecosystems for the production of vegetables, flowers, and plants.

"Dutch horticulture is globally recognized for its innovation and efficiency. By integrating financing from an early stage as a core part of the overall ecosystem, we can achieve even greater impact—especially in countries where the demand for healthy and safe food is rapidly growing and financing remains a challenge," said Mirjam Boekestijn, CEO of Dutch Greenhouse Delta.

Following up on Expert Panel Discussions, this collaboration directly follows the DGD partner meeting, where Invest International participated in a panel discussion on international financing. The insights from this dialogue form a key foundation for the current partnership. The Combitrack programme from RVO plays a crucial role in safeguarding the long-term strategy and structural scaling of international projects worldwide.

Focus on Egypt and India
As a first step, the partnership is investigating two key markets: Egypt and India. In Egypt, the focus is on strengthening the local financing landscape and promoting cooperation with local partners to increase the visibility of Dutch horticultural technology. In India, efforts are concentrated on lowering financial barriers for high-tech horticulture, enabling projects to scale and boosting confidence among local stakeholders. These studies will form the basis for further developing international horticulture projects in both countries.

"Through this collaboration, we can leverage our role as an international financing partner for Dutch companies more effectively, supporting sustainable projects that impact global food security and safety," said Raymond Beimers, Head of Agrifood at Invest International. "By working closely and structurally with RVO and DGD, we increase the likelihood of successful project realization in markets with high potential."

A broad approach for deep impact
From RVO's perspective, this collaboration aligns seamlessly with the strategic deployment of Partners for International Business (PIB) and Combitracks. Through public-private partnerships, the chances of success for international horticulture projects are enhanced. "Together, we take a step towards a systemic approach where knowledge, networks, and financing come together," said Abel Neering, Programme Coordinator for Combitracks at RVO.