Speech by Mark Harbers, Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, at the opening of the Logistics Conference, Hanoi

Toespraak | 19-03-2024

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Welcome to this conference, Chào mừng bạn  

It’s a real pleasure to speak to you today. This is my first visit to beautiful Vietnam. And I’m very impressed by the hospitality, energy and friendliness that the Dutch delegation and I have already encountered. I’m very much looking forward to the days ahead.

This visit with a sizeable business delegation is yet another milestone in the more than 50 years of friendship between our countries.
Besides our friendship, we also enjoy close economic ties.
The Netherlands is the largest export destination for Vietnam in Europe and the largest European investor in Vietnam.

What’s more, as delta countries we have a lot in common.
Climate change poses many challenges to us both.
Challenges relating to too much or too little water.
This has led, among other things, to intensive cooperation on water projects in the Mekong Delta and coastal erosion.

We’ve also been strengthening our contacts in the field of logistics and transport for many years now.

This has resulted in a lot of economic cooperation in logistics, whether it be over land, by sea or by air.
So I’m confident that fruitful contacts can be forged at this conference with the Dutch companies present – during the breakout sessions for example.

Logistics is in our country’s DNA.
The Port of Rotterdam is Europe’s largest port. Excellent hinterland connections with the rest of Europe are crucial to maintaining and strengthening this position.
So our infrastructure must be in top condition at all times.

Let me give you an example.
To take full advantage of all the economic opportunities available, more than a decade ago we created Maasvlakte Two.

We reclaimed land from the sea to expand the Port of Rotterdam, the biggest civil engineering project in the Netherlands since the famous Delta Works.

It was designed to make the best use of all modes of transport.
Because growing our maritime shipping and making our rivers more navigable, for example, will always have to go hand in hand with the development of other infrastructure.
Like new or upgraded ports, and new rail and road infrastructure.

The government plays a key supporting role in this.
By taking a multimodal approach, we can take advantage of all the opportunities available and improve accessibility.
In the most sustainable and smartest way possible.
We’re keen to share the knowledge we gained from the construction of Maasvlakte Two with our Vietnamese partners.
In fact, I’ve noticed during these first few days in Vietnam that this is already happening a lot.

Of course, seizing economic opportunities while ensuring a sustainable future is also a challenge for Vietnam.
Innovation and use of renewable energy like wind and solar power and cleaner fuels are both necessary and promising in this regard. For instance, Dutch shipbuilders are pioneering the development of electric vessels, such as port tugs and passenger ships.
Ladies and gentlemen,

Besides working together in the maritime sector, cooperation in aviation and airport development also offers many opportunities for both our countries.

The Netherlands is home to one of Europe’s most important airports, Amsterdam Schiphol, which means we have a lot of expertise in this field.
Here, too, capacity and sustainability are major challenges.
Sustainability is the sector’s licence to operate.
So our national airports and airlines are investing in sustainable and future-proof aviation – like electric taxiing, developing cleaner fuels and purchasing quieter and cleaner aircraft.
They’re also working with governments – both nationally and internationally – on more efficient flight paths that will reduce noise nuisance and emissions.

The increase in cargo and passengers is causing capacity problems at airports worldwide, including in the Netherlands and Vietnam.

Scarcity is a relatively new issue in aviation. On the one hand, more and more people want to fly and more and more people can afford it.
We’re also sending more and more parcels around the world.
On the other hand, airports are struggling to make room for new connections and new airlines.
In dealing with these issues we need to take more account of local residents and the impact on our climate.
In short, we need to strike a new balance.

So I’m pleased that within our delegation there’s a lot of knowledge and expertise in the field of airport and aviation development.
Here, too, we can learn from each other. And we’re happy to share our knowledge and expertise.
To conclude, ladies and gentlemen,

I’m proud of the large and diverse business delegation.
A delegation with an enormous amount of expertise in many areas, like the development of waterways,
seaports and airports,
maritime logistics and
innovation, digitalisation and much more.

This visit is another great testimony to the long friendship and strong economic ties between Vietnam and the Netherlands.
And I’m convinced that it will be another important step in the economically promising and fruitful cooperation between our two countries.

Thank you.
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