The Netherlands: Europe’s green gateway for exporters

This webinar is part of Austrade's European Sustainability Series.

It will highlight the country’s strengths as a logistics hub, innovation leader, and business-friendly environment with strong trade ties to Australia.

Participants can:

• learn practical steps for market entry
• understand the impact of cultural nuances
• explore sector opportunities across agtech and other technologies.

It features insights from:

• Austrade
• the Holland International Distribution Council (HIDC)
• the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA)

The webinar will equip Australian businesses with the knowledge and connections to successfully launch and grow in the European market.

Key topics

Why the Netherlands

• Gateway to Europe and innovation hub
• Strong trade ties and business-friendly environment

Supply chain and logistics advantages

• Strategic location, ports, airports and infrastructure
• Innovation, R&D incentives and digital readiness

Approaching the market

• Entry options: agents, distributors, local setup
• Challenges

Sector opportunities

• Critical and enabling tech
• Green economy
• Agtech

Support and next steps

• Austrade, HIDC, and NFIA assistance
• Tools and connections for successful market entry

Who it's for

This event is for Australian advanced technology and agtech businesses that:

• are exploring opportunities to expand into Europe
• want to understand why the Netherlands is the ideal starting point
• want practical insights on market entry, logistics, and partnerships.

Speakers

Trade Commissioner, Austrade, Amsterdam

Catherine Hill is Trade and Investment Commissioner for the Netherlands, Nordics and Baltics at Austrade.

She has more than 15 years of international business and investment experience. She specialises in circular economy, low-carbon liquid fuels and future transport.

Senior Business Developer, Austrade, Amsterdam

Natasha Keylard is an experienced international trade and business development professional. She has 28 years of export promotion expertise.

At Austrade Netherlands, she enables market entry for Australian exporters by facilitating connections, building cross-border partnerships, and creating opportunities. Her focus is on high-tech sectors. These include defence, AI, quantum, cyber security, and clean technology.

Senior Business Manager Business Development Asia Pacific, HIDC

Sjaak de Klein is a seasoned business development leader. He has deep roots in Asian-Europe trade and logistics.

He has been based in Southeast Asia for over 25 years. He helps international companies establish and scale their European supply-chain and distribution presence through strategic logistics insight and market-entry support.

Director Australia & New Zealand, NFIA

Aniel Kerkvliet is a seasoned investment promotion leader. He specialises in helping innovative Australian and New Zealand companies establish and grow their presence in the Netherlands.

He has strong experience bridging international markets. Aniel is passionate about enabling cross-border growth, strategic partnerships and global expansion.