Port seminar Brasil-Holanda
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Ladies and gentlemen,
This afternoon you talked about the many challenges that we both face as maritime trade nations. And shared ideas about steps that we can take together.
Our countries have maintained maritime contact for centuries. Since the time of Count Johan Maurits of Nassau-Siegen, who ruled over Dutch Brazil from 1637 to 1643. In those days, the journey from the Netherlands to Brazil took three months. Lucky for us, we have faster means of transport today.
As one of his first official acts, Count Johan Maurits had a new coat of arms designed for Pernambuco. It showed a pretty maid gazing at herself in the mirror and holding a stick of sugar cane in her hand. The prince was a man of foresight. Sugar still plays an important role in our trade relations. Not in its raw form, but as an ingredient of bio-ethanol. Today, a large share of Brazilian ethanol passes through the Port of Rotterdam.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is a pleasure to be speaking to you at the end of this seminar in the presence of my colleague Pedro Brito. Mr Brito and I signed a Memorandum of Understanding in The Hague last year. We agreed to intensify cooperation in the area of ports, maritime transport and logistics. This seminar is part of our joint effort to pursue this goal.
If you will allow me, I would like to take this opportunity to make three points.
Urgency
First: the urgency of an effective approach to modernise our ports.
Coastal trade nations like the Netherlands and Brazil depend on international class ports. We need excellent ports and connections with the hinterland to make the most of our economic potential.
The current economic crisis does not change that. On the contrary: this is the time to look to the future. Are we ready for the economic recovery that will come sooner or later (hopefully sooner)? Will we be able to make the most of new opportunities when they arise? Or will we stand by, while port cities in other countries make the profits we could be earning?
Countries like China and India are developing rapidly. They invest heavily in ports and water-based transport. The Netherlands is determined to stay in the international premier league of maritime trade countries. But that means working hard, every single day. We are ranked sixth among the world’s exporters and eighth among importers. Economically we are a world player, but geographically we are small. In fact, the Netherlands is the same size as the state of Rio de Janeiro. You can imagine what a challenge it is to provide enough space for a mainport like Rotterdam (Europe’s largest port). That requires constant effort and attention.
Brazil, too, senses the importance of taking a proactive approach. It needs to increase the capacity of its ports and improve its competitiveness. Positive market effects could be stimulated. And road, rail and waterway connections to the ports could be improved.
Brazil understands the urgency of these changes. And that is logical, because ninety per cent of your international trade flows through your ports. Outdated ports could threaten your development.
So my first point is this: port development is urgent.
Opportunities
My second point is that improving our ports will create real opportunities. The trade in goods between Europe and Latin America is expected to double by 2020. The prospect of growth on that scale means that there are amazing opportunities for Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande, Suape, Rotterdam and Amsterdam.
Let’s not forget the assets our countries have. For example, Brazil has a leading position as a producer and exporter of biofuels. And you have fantastic opportunities for expanding your inland waterway transport system. Right now you are using only a quarter of your potential.
The Netherlands has strong assets, too. According to an independent study by IMD Business School, the Netherlands is in the global top three with regard to the quality of its water transport. That is due in part to close cooperation between the public and private sectors. For example, the port of Rotterdam is undergoing a major expansion that was made possible by public and private partners joining forces. The Netherlands also excels in facilitating unbroken flows of goods to and from our ports, using the most advanced information technologies. Ports are becoming more and more high-tech and the Netherlands aims to stay in the lead.
Cooperation
Port development is an urgent priority and offers opportunities. But that is not the end of my story. If we want to make the most of those opportunities, cooperation with strategic partners is vital. And Brazil is at the top of our list of strategic partners. You are our gateway to Latin America and we are your gateway to Europe.
Our partnership has gained momentum in the past year and a half. Mr Brito, you have been to the Netherlands four times in the past eighteen months. You were also present during President Lula da Silva’s state visit last April. We concluded during that visit that we share the ambition to excel in ports and water-based logistics. And that we complement each other very well. That was confirmed during the visit by the Governor of Rio Grande do Sul, Mrs Yeda Crusius, last August.
Now we are ready to sign a joint Action Plan. We are strengthening our ties at a unique moment. Under your leadership, Mr Brito, Brazil’s port industry is making a great leap forward. You – and many others at federal and state level – have done impressive work to create a cohesive strategy. You are working on a master plan for modernising some 30 major ports.
Leading Dutch organisations are eager to contribute to this master plan that will give Brazil the place it deserves among the world’s strongest economies.
Outlook
I am convinced that Brazil and the Netherlands are natural partners in ports and logistics. Together we have the potential, the experience, the knowledge and, above all, the drive to stay ahead of the international competition. We are two global players who complement each other and make each other stronger.
Imagine this:
in twenty years, Brazil is the gateway to Latin America;
a magnet for international companies that have an interest in clean, rapid transport;
a world leader in high-quality logistics.
The Netherlands wants to help you realise that dream.
Thank you.