The Bank of China and the Port of Rotterdam Authority signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening relations between China and the Netherlands.
Through this Memorandum, the Port of Rotterdam Authority and the Bank of China, one of the top five state-owned commercial banks, re-affirm their intention to build a long-term alliance.
The two parties intend to work together on identifying, attracting and developing business opportunities in, among other areas, logistics, containers, shipping and rail infrastructure, within the framework of the Chinese government’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ strategy.
Public and private sector parties in China are investing in, among other things, logistics infrastructure that is intended to further strengthen the country’s ties with emerging economies in Eurasia and Europe.
The Port of Rotterdam sees a role for itself in this network as a key logistics hub.
Among other things, the alliance between the Port Authority and Bank of China will include the exchange of ideas in the field of investment, and making it ‘easier to do business’ by taking optimum advantage of one another’s expertise and network.
In addition, both parties intend to jointly attract new investments that will result in an increase in trade volumes and greater transparency in the various logistics chains.
Allard Castelein will be taking part in the Dutch state visit to China being undertaken by King Willem-Alexander. The Netherlands’ head of state, State Secretary Sharon Dijksma of Economic Affairs, the Mayor of Rotterdam Ahmed Aboutaleb and Mrs Zhao, Managing Director of Bank of China Rotterdam Branch, were also present at the signing of the agreement.