Dutch trade mission secures agreements worth half billion euros in China

THE HAGUE - A Dutch trade mission to China secured a total of 12 agreements worth half a billion euros ($631 million) with Chinese counterparts, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated Thursday.

The agreements range from declarations for intensive cooperation to contracts in various sectors such as shipbuilding, telecom and technology.

The trade mission, led by the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Lilianne Ploumen, and accompanied by 30 companies, and included visits to Shanghai and Beijing.

In Shanghai, Ploumen attended the signing of a major deal between the Chinese Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) and Dutch chip equipment producer ASML. According to the volume purchase agreement, ASML will provide SMIC with lithography systems worth approximately 450 million euros.

"This once again demonstrated how important it is that our businesses look across borders," Ploumen said in a statement.

In Beijing, Ploumen met officials such as China's International Trade Representative and Vice-Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan.

"We both have the desire to further intensify the relationship not only in trade, but also other areas," Ploumen said.

"Our focus is on issues such as corporate social responsibility and sustainable production. It is not only important that we trade, but also how it benefits our people," she added.

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