Economic Cooperation - Czech Republic
Economic ties between the Netherlands and Czechia are strong. We cooperate in many fields, including energy, innovation and circular economy. Since 1990, many Dutch companies have come to Czechia to do business. The Netherlands is the 8th most important trade partner for Czechia in terms of exports (EUR 5.7 billion), and the 9th most important partner for imports (EUR 9 billion; 2021 figures).
The Netherlands and Czechia face many of the same challenges: ensuring the availability affordable energy, remaining competitive in manufacturing, maintaining mobility while making the transition to a low-emissions and more circular economy. In these areas, the Netherlands closely cooperates with Czech organizations, Czech government and our other Czech partners. This creates the opportunity to learn from each other’s solutions by exchanging best practices.
Energy
Energy independence
Czechia receives one-third of its natural gas needs from the EemsEnergyTerminal in the port of Eemshaven. Dutch GasUnie and Czech CEZ agreed a five-year lease in 2022, contributing to Czechia’s ambition to become energy independent from Russia. The Embassy assisted in reaching this agreement.
Solar
The global energy transition is gathering pace, and solar energy is one of the driving forces behind it. Harnessing the potential of solar energy calls for creativity and innovative strength. The Dutch solar sector has been enabling breakthrough innovations for decades, thanks in part to close collaboration with world-class research institutes and by fostering the next generation of high-tech talent.
Netherlands: leader in solar
The Netherlands had the highest share of solar power in its electricity mix of any EU country in 2022. The share moved from 1% in 2015 to 14% in 2022 - a huge increase. This increase is not only due to the Dutch putting solar panels on their own roofs.Floating solar
Floating photovoltaic farms are not new, but Dutch companies are at the forefront of refining the technology. The Embassy facilitated the introduction of floating solar farms in Czechia: after all, if land becomes scarce there is always water. They assess its potential yield and ecological impact. Dutch companies also adapt the floating solar concept into new and ever more challenging environments.Solar on farmland
Solar arrays can be integrated into existing farmland. The Embassy promotes this use of photovoltaics in Czechia. These so-called agrivoltaics may also be the catalyst for introducing crop farming on currently unused land. For example, Dutch company GreenMeteor is using space underneath solar panels for growing shade-tolerant crops. In close cooperation with scientists and horticultural experts, the Dutch companies are researching the ideal height and positioning of solar panels and which crops would perform best on a particular location.
Hydrogen
In the Paris Climate Agreement of 2015, agreements were made to decarbonize the economy and reduce emissions. This has led to a lot of interest for hydrogen in the Netherlands and Czechia. Both governments include hydrogen in their national climate and energy plans.
Hydrogen can play a role in the energy transition. It can reduce emissions from ‘hard to abate’ industries, where other means of emission reduction is difficult or impossible. Hydrogen can also be used as an energy storage in connection with solar solutions.
Hydrogen creates business opportunities in both Czechia and the Netherlands. Dutch and Czech companies are in a unique position to work together to develop a clean hydrogen value chain.
Hydrogen can play a role in the energy transition. It can reduce emissions from ‘hard to abate’ industries, where other means of emission reduction is difficult or impossible. Hydrogen can also be used as an energy storage in connection with solar solutions.
Hydrogen creates business opportunities in both Czechia and the Netherlands. Dutch and Czech companies are in a unique position to work together to develop a clean hydrogen value chain.
Circular Economy
The Netherlands aims to become a fully circular economy by 2050 – a waste-free economy that runs as much as possible on sustainable and renewable raw materials, and in which products and raw materials are reused.
In Czechia, we promote circularity, foster cooperation and knowledge sharing between and connect Dutch and Czech businesses interested in circular business models. That is why the Embassy supported the foundation of the platform Czech Circular Hotspot, in cooperation with the Czech Institute of Circular Economy (INCIEN).
The Czech Circular Hotspot supports the transition towards a more circular economy, by organizing events, exchanging knowledge and experience, and stimulating business opportunities and collaboration between the Netherlands and the Czechia. For example, during the Czech Presidency of the EU, in November 2022, a conference organised by the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade entitled “Circular Economy in Practice” featured a number of Dutch examples that were enthusiastically received by our Czech partners.
Dutch Embassies in the Central European countries cooperate closely on circular economy as their host countries share challenges and opportunities.
In Czechia, we promote circularity, foster cooperation and knowledge sharing between and connect Dutch and Czech businesses interested in circular business models. That is why the Embassy supported the foundation of the platform Czech Circular Hotspot, in cooperation with the Czech Institute of Circular Economy (INCIEN).
The Czech Circular Hotspot supports the transition towards a more circular economy, by organizing events, exchanging knowledge and experience, and stimulating business opportunities and collaboration between the Netherlands and the Czechia. For example, during the Czech Presidency of the EU, in November 2022, a conference organised by the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade entitled “Circular Economy in Practice” featured a number of Dutch examples that were enthusiastically received by our Czech partners.
Dutch Embassies in the Central European countries cooperate closely on circular economy as their host countries share challenges and opportunities.
Mobility
As one of the top Electric Vehicle users in the world, the Netherlands is a leading player in the standardization and rollout of infrastructure for charging stations. The Netherlands has the largest number of electric car charging points, around 80,000, on the European continent.
Together with Czech government institutions and municipalities, the Embassy explores how they can cooperate on energy transition and learn from each other.
Furthermore, Dutch speakers regularly appear at important events focused on e-mobility, such as yearly Electromobility Forum organised in October 2023 in Prague.
Together with Czech government institutions and municipalities, the Embassy explores how they can cooperate on energy transition and learn from each other.
Furthermore, Dutch speakers regularly appear at important events focused on e-mobility, such as yearly Electromobility Forum organised in October 2023 in Prague.
Innovation
To the Netherlands the innovation is essential. The Netherlands ranks fifth on the Global Innovation Index (2022). The successful collaboration between government, private sector and academia create space where innovation can thrive. Presence of the world-class research institutes along with supporting R&D tax credits enable the creation of an environment where new solutions to global challenges are developed. There are unique campuses across the country that facilitate ground-breaking advances across artificial intelligence, quantum technology, sustainability, and more. These clusters of companies and knowledge institutes offer an excellent opportunity to collaborate and accelerate research and innovation.