Amsterdam, October 25 — Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday urged Dutch industry and professionals to forge closer economic and research ties with India, proposing a model that pairs Dutch technology with Indian talent, scale and entrepreneurship.
Call to link research and business ecosystems
Speaking at an Indian diaspora event in Amsterdam, the minister invited Dutch technology experts, academics and companies to connect their research institutions with Indian universities, laboratories and startups. He said such collaboration should be translated into practical projects that generate jobs, trade and investment.
Goyal highlighted the role that professional service providers, particularly chartered accountants, could play in this effort by guiding Indian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) planning to expand into the Netherlands and the broader European Union. He urged them to act as facilitators for both outbound Indian businesses and inbound Dutch investors.
"It is time to convert this strategic partnership and combine Dutch technology with Indian talent, with Indian scale, with Indian entrepreneurship," said Goyal.
Netherlands as a gateway to Europe
The minister also recommended that Indian business leaders based in the Netherlands use the country as a launchpad to access European markets, citing Rotterdam’s logistical strengths and gateway potential. He encouraged them to leverage the city as a base to carry Indian brands across the continent.
Goyal framed these proposals within a wider narrative about development and identity, arguing that economic progress must go hand in hand with cultural preservation. He cautioned against abandoning national traditions while pursuing modernisation, saying that preservation of identity is essential to lasting prosperity.
- Research linkages: Invite Dutch academics to partner with Indian laboratories and startups.
- MSME support: Request chartered accountants to advise Indian small businesses on expanding into Europe.
- Market access: Use the Netherlands, particularly Rotterdam, as a gateway for Indian brands to Europe.
Implications for India’s technology and trade strategy
The minister’s appeal underscores an ongoing effort by Indian policymakers to attract foreign collaboration that enhances domestic innovation capacity while expanding export opportunities. For Indian technology firms and startups, closer ties with Dutch research institutions could bring opportunities in deep tech, sustainable solutions and advanced manufacturing. For Dutch companies, India offers scale, a large talent pool and entrepreneurial energy.
From a practical perspective, the involvement of chartered accountants and other intermediaries is aimed at reducing transaction friction — helping MSMEs understand regulatory environments, taxation and compliance across jurisdictions. Such facilitation could accelerate cross-border partnerships and encourage more Dutch capital to flow into Indian ventures.
| Focus area | Proposal |
|---|---|
| Technology collaboration | Connect Dutch research institutions with Indian universities and startups |
| MSME expansion | Chartered accountants to help Indian MSMEs enter Netherlands/EU |
| Market access | Use Rotterdam as a launchpad for Indian brands in Europe |
Such recommendations, if implemented, would require coordinated action by government agencies, industry bodies and professional services firms. It would also call for clear frameworks around intellectual property, research funding and regulatory harmonisation to ensure that collaborations deliver mutual benefits.
Goyal’s comments come amid a broader push by India to deepen economic ties with European nations and to attract high-value investment in technology and manufacturing. The emphasis on combining foreign technological expertise with India’s workforce and market scale is consistent with policy priorities that seek technology transfer, job creation and export-led growth.
Observers say that successful partnerships will hinge on building trust, defining clear objectives for research and commercialisation, and providing simpler, predictable pathways for small and medium businesses to operate internationally — areas where professional intermediaries like chartered accountants can play a pivotal role.
