During the economic mission to Toulouse, which focused on aviation, among other things, the focus was on strengthening partnerships between Dutch and French companies, knowledge institutions, and government agencies, and stimulating innovation, sustainability, and new opportunities. This economic mission runs parallel to the working visit of His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Máxima.
Economic trade mission
His Majesty the King and Her Majesty Queen Máxima paid a working visit to the Occitanie region of France on Wednesday 1 October. They visited the city of Toulouse. The Royal Couple was accompanied by the State Secretary for Foreign Trade and Development Aid, Aukje de Vries. The Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, Robert Tieman, also participated in the visit.
The visit marked a key moment in the Dutch-French Economic Year, which was established during President Macron's state visit to the Netherlands in April 2023. This year aims to boost trade relations, attract new mutual investments, and strengthen innovative partnerships and knowledge exchange. The working visit focused on the bilateral Pact for Innovation and Sustainable Growth, which was signed for cooperation in common strategic sectors such as aerospace, energy transition, and agrifood technology. A parallel economic mission took place with companies, knowledge institutions, and government bodies from these sectors, with approximately 80 participating companies.
Milestones
Key milestones include a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by partner Holland High Tech partner NAG Advancing your Aerospace and Airport Business with Collins Aerospace to collaborate on innovations for thermoplastics, and the announcement by Airbus Aircraft and Quantum Delta NL to establish a National Quantum Center for Aviation.
