Dutch business leaders expressed their strong interest in cooperation with East China's Shandong province during the Shandong-Netherlands Logistics and Chemical Industry Exchanges Seminar in Jinan on Jan 12, and highlighted significant potential in related sectors.

Kees de Rijke, CEO of De Rijke Group, emphasized Shandong's importance as a long-term strategic partner for Europe. He identified clear opportunities for collaboration in areas like the safe, compliant logistics export of chemicals and tailored solutions for goods with high security standards requirements, to become a long-term logistics partner for Shandong enterprises in Europe.

Kees de Rijke, CEO of De Rijke Group, delivers a speech during the seminar held in Jinan, Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Dilixiati Maimaiti, China general manager of Alblas International Transport, noted an increase of chemicals from Shandong on international routes, which his company has streamlined to a seven-day cross-border transit time. He expressed eagerness to help local firms reduce costs and boost efficiency.

"The Netherlands is Europe's logistics gateway, and Shandong is a major Chinese chemical base. Their industries are highly complementary," said Liu Yueying, chief representative of the Netherlands Business Support Office in Shandong. The event effectively connected Shandong's industrial demands with Dutch expertise in chemical logistics and supply chain management.

The potential is backed by solid trade. From January to November 2025, Shandong's petroleum and chemical industry saw imports and exports reach $71.3 billion and $44.6 billion, growing 2.6 percent and 5.1 percent year-on-year, respectively, underscoring a robust foundation for an expanded partnership.