ARTICLE
View as Webpage World Trade Center Delaware Hosted ?the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands World Trade Center Delaware organized a visit at the request of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands on April 5. The delegation, led by Mr. Bart van Bolhuis, the Minister-Counselor and Head of Economics, visited New Castle County to explore opportunities for increased trade between the ports in the Netherlands and GT USA Wilmington at the Port of Wilmington, encouraging companies to locate in Delaware , and establishing collaboration in education and science. The delegation also visited the Delaware Prosperity Partnership, the University of Delaware’s Fintech Innovation Hub, the Delaware Biotechnology Institute, NIIMBL and the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation and spoke with April Wright, the States Administer of Corporations. Although the Port of Wilmington already is a destination for Dutch ships, its # 1 in the country cold storage capacity and fumigation capabilities could attract some of the Netherlands’ extensive agricultural exports. The country is the world’s second largest exporter of agricultural products, especially flowers and bulbs, and food, all of which are purchased in the US. Following the meeting with GT USA Wilmington, they were hosted by the Seamen’s Center for a tour of the Port. Lunch at the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation included viewing the new exhibit, The Battle of Buchan Ness, where the ship met its ultimate demise during the Anglo-Dutch War. The Kalmar Nyckel was built by the Dutch, sold to Sweden and used to transport settlers to what is now Delaware. After long service to Sweden, it was sold as a merchant ship back to the Dutch where it met its end in battle defending Dutch fishing rights. The extent to which government, industry, and the academic and community/not for profit sectors cooperate was a revelation to the Dutch visitors. Of particular importance to Ms. Deborah van den Brande, Sr. Business Development Advisor and Mr. Sean Silbert, Sr. Advisor Science, Technology and Innovation, was the interdisciplinary aspect of both centers they visited at the University of Delaware. Tracey Shickel, UD’s Associate Vice President of Corporate Engagement explained that the Fintech Building, was “established to address inequities in access to financial services and the consequential inequities in access to credit, housing, health care and other life essentials.” An example of the depth of statewide cooperation was noted by Dr. Alok Patel, NIIMBL’s Associate Director, Business Development Strategic Initiatives is the “Crisper in a Box” educational kit developed by Delaware Technical Community College, Christiana Care and Rockland Immunochemicals to teach gene editing from college students to those as young as primary school pupils. At the end of the day, Minister-Counselor Bart van Bolhuis said that “this trip to Delaware exceeded all expectations.” To join a trip to the Dutch Embassy in Washington, or to be part of the next visit to Delaware, please contact World Trade Center Delaware at [email protected]. Mr. Bart van Bolhuis – Minister-Counselor, Head of Economics/Climate Department Ms. Deborah van den Brande – Sr. Business Development Advisor Mr. Sean Silbert – Sr. Advisor Science, Technology and Innovation Mr. Tim Hemerik – Policy Officer | Government Trainee Port of Wilmington with Kathryn Bradley, Director of Government Affairs and Corporate Communications At the Kalmar Nyckel First Row: Carla Stone, Deborah van den Brande, Sean Silbert, Prof. Steven Peuquet, Catherine Parsells, Executive Director, KN, April Wright, State of Delaware Corporations Administrator Row 2: Hanwool Jang, Albert Shields, Dir, Business & Economic Dev. Sam Heed, Senior Historian & Director of Education KN, Tim Hemerik, Bart van Bolhui Visiting NIIMBL with Dr. Sameer Kalghatgi, Technical Operations Director