Seventeen Dutch companies, one Brisbane rooftop — and a signature that marked the beginning of a three-year partnership.
On Monday 14 September, DCCQ attended the reception closing the Brisbane leg of the Netherlands Trade Mission on Sports & Sustainable Cities at Brisbane Powerhouse.
An agreement signed on the night
Guido Tielman, Consul-General of the Netherlands in Sydney, and Drs Camil Smeulders, founder of Orange Sports Forum, signed a Partners for International Business agreement in front of the assembled guests.
Partners for International Business, or PIB, is a Dutch Government programme administered by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, RVO, on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It brings groups of Dutch companies and the Dutch Government together to enter an overseas market collectively rather than one company at a time.
The new agreement establishes a structured three-year programme supporting joint promotion, matchmaking, knowledge exchange and economic diplomacy. The Consulate-General in Sydney will play a central role in coordinating the programme in Australia and connecting the participating companies with governments, businesses and other potential partners — a substantial, long-term Dutch commitment to Queensland and to the opportunities emerging in the lead-up to Brisbane 2032.
The second visit, not the first
Two years ago, a Dutch fact-finding mission came to Queensland to explore what was taking shape. This mission was the next step: 17 companies working across sports facilities, sports technology, mobility, smart cities and sustainable construction — much the same agenda Queensland is working through as it prepares for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Who spoke, and who was there
Netherlands Honorary Consul for Queensland Marjon Wind opened the evening, which was held in the name of the Ambassador, H.E. Mrs Ardi Stoios-Braken, who was unable to travel. Queensland’s Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Tim Mander; Jo Keen, Deputy CEO of Trade and Investment Queensland; and delegation head Peter Sprenger also spoke.
Our thanks to the Consulate-General and Orange Sports Forum for organising the evening. It was particularly encouraging to see so many DCCQ members alongside representatives of the Queensland Government, Brisbane City Council and the wider Brisbane business community.
From the evening
For DCCQ members, this three-year programme should create further opportunities to meet the participating Dutch companies, develop partnerships, and help connect Dutch expertise with Queensland’s requirements for 2032 and beyond.
