The Netherlands is a powerhouse in global trade, consistently ranking among the top exporting nations. In 2023, the Netherlands’ exports totaled up to €945 billion in goods and services. While changing a bit year by year, The Netherlands focuses on exporting machinery, mineral fuels, food, chemicals, electrical and optical equipment and business services (2023). Germany, Belgium, and France consistently remain among the Netherlands’ top export destinations. 

In comparison, Finland’s key export products reflect its strong industrial and natural resource sectors. This is why Finland’s key exports include machinery, mineral fuels, paper, electrical equipment, iron, steel, wood and ships, totaling to €115 billion in 2023 in goods and services. The United States, Sweden, and Germany were among Finland’s primary export partners. 

The sources for this information are the following; 

The Netherlands is the EU’s third-largest exporter

What are the top 10 exports from Finland?

Netherlands

Finland

IT services are a key part of Finland’s service exports

Het bericht Did you know? verscheen eerst op Finnish Dutch Chamber of Commerce.

Both countries recognize the urgent need to transition towards more sustainable energy systems to meet EU climate targets and enhance energy security. For the Netherlands, the motivation is also strongly linked to phasing out natural gas due to safety concerns in gas-producing regions. While overall biogas production in Finland is currently smaller compared to the Netherlands, it sees biogas as a strategic tool to strengthen its agricultural sector by integrating energy production with traditional food production.

Experts in both countries agree that the benefits of biogas extend beyond just renewable energy. This includes improved manure management, nutrient recycling, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from both agriculture and transportation. The future success of biogas in both the Netherlands and Finland will, however, depend on consistent and supportive policy frameworks that can incentivize investment and innovation in this promising sector.

For more information, read the following scientific article:

Winquist, E., Van Galen, M., Zielonka, S., Rikkonen, P., Oudendag, D., Zhou, L., & Greijdanus, A. (2021). Expert Views on the Future Development of Biogas Business Branch in Germany, The Netherlands, and Finland until 2030. Sustainability, 13(3), 1148. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13031148

Het bericht Did you know? verscheen eerst op Finnish Dutch Chamber of Commerce.

Both countries develop their strategies to integrate many initiatives towards trustworthy and human-centric AI. They both likewise actively pursue international cooperation in AI research, development and innovation.

However, the Dutch consensus-building model of governance focusing on stakeholder involvement and building a collaborative AI ‘ecosystem’ is considered fundamentally different compared to other EU states. Other countries may focus on one category of stakeholders holding a dominant role (i.e. Sweden) or prioritising agility over consensus-building (i.e. Finland). Even though Finland’s centralized and top-down approach to AI has allowed more fast and direct decision-making, this can also be a less inclusive approach regarding SMEs and civil society.

Nevertheless, while limited availability of highly qualified AI professionals has led to competition for their expertise within the EU, Finland has managed well recruiting AI talent from other EU nations. This is potentially due to its proactive policies that promote professional mobility, thereby facilitating the transfer of knowledge and skills within the field of AI.

For the source of this information, you can visit the following report:

Comparison of AI strategies in Finland, Sweden and The Netherlands 

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In Finland (2021), while a significant 62% of people saw good business opportunities (well above the 54.76% global average), the fear of failure was also higher at 44.53% (global average 42.82%). Interestingly, only 42.75% of Finns felt they had the capabilities to start a business, significantly lower than the global average of 57.86%. This suggests a gap between seeing potential and feeling equipped to act on it, potentially contributing to that higher fear of failure. 

Meanwhile, in the Netherlands, in both 2022 (33.76%) and 2023 (40.29%), the fear of failure was notably lower than the global average (44.63%). Similar to Finland, a large percentage of Dutch individuals saw good opportunities (61.62% in 2022 and 67.37% in 2023, both above the global average of 56.40%). However, the feeling of having the necessary capabilities for starting a business was also lower than the global average (42.19% in 2022 and 40.29% in 2023, compared to 60.94% globally).

Both nations see opportunities, yet their populations express a lower sense of their own capabilities compared to the global average. However, this translates into a higher fear of failure in Finland, while the Netherlands generally exhibits a lower fear. 

Moreover, in both countries, this feeling of fear is stronger for women, suggesting a gender inequality in how confident men and women feel about starting a business.

For more information, you can visit these sources:

GEM

Still untapped entrepreneurial potential in Finland, the report shows – the fear of failure prevents starting a company 

Gender Gap in Entrepreneurial Potential in Finland and Reflecting Its Underlying Causes 

The Dutch entrepreneurship paradox: why does the Dutch scaleup ecosystem succeed less than it could? 

Start Thinking bigger about entrepreneurship in The Netherlands 

Het bericht Did you know? verscheen eerst op Finnish Dutch Chamber of Commerce.

According to the Network Readiness Index 2024, Finland holds the 3rd position, while the Netherlands is ranked 6th globally, reflecting their strong digital infrastructures and commitment to technological innovation.

Find more information here: Benchmarking the Future of the Network Economy

Het bericht Did you know? verscheen eerst op Finnish Dutch Chamber of Commerce.

In October 2024, Finland’s Minister of Economic Affairs led a Team Finland visit to the Netherlands, focusing on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the maritime industry. This initiative aims to bolster competitiveness and innovation within the European marine sector. ​

Minister Rydman to lead marine industry-focused Team Finland visit to the Netherlands

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On March 20, 2025, we hosted an event at Erasmus University Rotterdam which was bringing together young professionals and leading companies for an evening of networking and career opportunities.

The event featured engaging presentations from Risketeers, Ploum, Mavisoft, Euro Nordic Logistics, and the Nordic Chambers of Commerce.

The evening concluded with a relaxed networking session, where attendees continued conversations over drinks and delicious snacks from Ehta Catering.

Browse our photo gallery below to relive the energy, insights, and connections from this successful career event.

Het bericht YP Career matchmaking 2025 verscheen eerst op Finnish Dutch Chamber of Commerce.

These exchanges have strengthened educational ties between Finland and the Netherlands, fostering collaboration in engineering, business, and sustainable development.​

Nearly 50,000 students and staff members from Finnish higher education institutions have improved their international expertise through the Erasmus+ programme during the 2014–2020 programme period

Factsheets and statistics on Erasmus+

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The Netherlands has emerged as a global frontrunner in SAF production, leveraging its robust logistics infrastructure and chemical expertise. The Dutch Draft Agreement on Sustainable Aviation aims for 14% of aviation fuel in the country to be sustainable by 2030, surpassing EU targets. Initiatives like ‘Bioport Holland’ exemplify the collaborative efforts between public and private sectors to position the Netherlands at the heart of the European bio jet fuel market. ​

These advancements in Finland and the Netherlands are pivotal in steering the aviation industry toward a more sustainable future.

GreenAir News – Finland’s role in synthetic SAF development

Invest in Holland – The Netherlands as a global frontrunner in SAF production:

ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) – Dutch Bioport Holland initiative

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Becoming a board member is a unique opportunity to help shape the direction of the FDCC and contribute to its success. Board members play a key role in governance, decision-making, and advancing the Association’s mission. 

To join the board, obtain a nomination either from the Board or from at least ten members with written support before the Annual General Meeting (AGM). Nominated candidates are formally chosen at the AGM on April 10th, 2025, through a member vote or automatic appointment if unopposed. For more details on the process and expectations, see the information below.

Membership requirement

Ensure you are a member of the Association, as board members are generally appointed from among the members (Article 9.1). In exceptional cases, the General Assembly may appoint someone from outside the membership (Article 9.2).

Nomination process

Obtain a nomination for the board position.

• To be nominated by the Board, reach out to the Board via email at office@fdcc.eu. Clearly express your interest, qualifications, and how you aim to contribute to the Association’s objectives.
• To obtain a nomination from the Board, the Board must receive your submission by February 28th, 2025. 
• The Board will review your submission and follow up with you regarding the nomination.

Alternatively, nominations can be made by at least ten members of the Association (Article 9.3).

• If nominated by members, submit the nomination, alongside a list of names of the members supporting the nomination, in writing, before the General Assembly to office@fdcc.eu. Please submit the nomination by March 27th, 2025 for smooth handling.

Approval of nomination

The election takes place at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on April 10th, 2025. If there are multiple nominees per available seat, the assembly will vote to appoint the board member(s). If there is only one candidate per available seat and no objections to their nomination, they are automatically appointed (Article 9.4–9.6).

Election and term

Board members are appointed by the General Assembly, following the nomination process. A board member serves a term of three years, with the possibility of re-election under specific term limits (Article 10.2).

Tasks of the board

• The Board is responsible for the overall governance of the Association and must act in the best interests of the Association and its affiliated organizations (Article 12.1).
• The Board can delegate tasks to committees it appoints and is responsible for supervising their activities (Article 12.3).
• The Board represents the Association in legal and external matters. Typically, two board members acting jointly are required for representation (Article 12.6).
• The Board oversees the financial health of the Association, presenting a management report, income statement, and balance sheet annually to the General Assembly (Article 13.3).
• The Board makes key decisions, such as acquiring or disposing of property, securing financial commitments, and entering into agreements, often requiring General Assembly approval (Article 12.4).
• The Board is responsible for organizing and convening the General Assembly, including the AGM (Article 14.3).

Expectations of Board Members

Board members are expected to act with integrity, prioritize the Association’s objectives, and fulfil their roles diligently to ensure effective governance and advancement of the Association’s mission.

• Board members are actively involved in achieving the Association’s objectives and executing activities, including planning, organizing and participating in events.
• The Board meets at least ten times per year, and members are expected to attend and participate actively (Article 11.2).
• Board decisions require an absolute majority of votes cast during meetings or through written resolutions. Board members are expected to contribute to deliberations and vote responsibly (Article 11.3).
• Board members must maintain accurate records of the Association’s activities and financial transactions, ensuring compliance with legal and statutory requirements (Article 13.2).

Additional considerations

The General Assembly can revoke the binding nature of any nomination by a two-thirds majority, giving flexibility in the selection process (Article 9.4). Board members do not receive reimbursements by standard, but Board members may receive reimbursement for expenses and possibly remuneration as approved by the General Assembly (Article 12.7).

Should you have any questions, please reach out to the Board via office@fdcc.eu.

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