Many centuries ago, by engaging in foreign trade with Asia and Africa, Dutch merchants enriched the kingdom's economy. They left their imprint on those economies while also influencing the political and legal systems of their trading partners. The riches brought back from far away lands also played a major role in the country's own social, cultural and political transformation.
Even after centuries of commercial activity, European trading nations and others are discovering that there are, as yet untapped riches in Asia.
Gone are the days, when ships carrying cinnamon from Ceylon (Sri Lanka), and gold and copper from Japan, sailed back to Amsterdam. Although centuries have gone by, fortunes can still be made in Asia.
Nederlanders, who are better known as the Dutch, have continued to cement more friendships in Asia and build viable businesses carrying on a tradition that began on March 20, 1602, when the Dutch East India Company, or VOC (Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie) was formed to forge trading ties in Asia.
'Dutch businesses are always on the lookout for new opportunities,' said Nico Kooij, the chairman of the Dutch Business Association, adding that in partnership with the Consulate of the Netherlands as well as Dutch trade and investment agencies, the chamber has been paving the way for many ventures both in Hong Kong and China.
Mr Kooij, is also the managing director of Oce (Hong Kong, China), which makes high-end printers, scanners and copiers.