Prague, October 5, 2026 – From 6 to 9 October 2026, a Dutch economic mission led by Vice-Minister Michiel Sweers, Director-General for Foreign Economic Relations at the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will visit the Czech Republic. The delegation of 15 Dutch companies and organisations, with Koninklijke Metaalunie (Royal Metal Union) as lead trade association, will explore cooperation with Czech partners in smart manufacturing, innovation, defence and dual-use technologies. 
 
The mission is organised by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Prague, in partnership with Koninklijke Metaalunie and supported by the Netherlands Industries for Defence & Security (NIDV). 
 

From State Visit to business agenda 
The mission is a follow-up to the Dutch State Visit to the Czech Republic in June 2025. That visit confirmed how well the two economies complement each other and identified innovation, smart industry and manufacturing, defence and dual-use technologies as the areas with the greatest potential for deeper cooperation. Against the backdrop of current geopolitical developments and Europe's drive for strategic interdependence, the mission now turns that political direction into a concrete business-to-business agenda. 
 
Complementary strengths 
"Czechia is one of Central Europe’s most technologically advanced industrial economies. With strong clusters in high-tech manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, robotics, precision engineering and a rapidly modernising defence industry, it offers Dutch companies a compelling mix of engineering excellence, a robust supply chain, a strategic location in Europe and an innovation-friendly business climate," says Vice-Minister Michiel Sweers. 
 

The programme 
Over four days, the delegation will combine high-level political meetings with company visits in three Czech regions and B2B matchmaking in Prague and Brno. A central element is the International Engineering Fair (MSV) in Brno, Central Europe's largest engineering trade fair, where participants will take part in matchmaking and networking. A visit to Zlín connects the mission with the Czech industrial tradition that underpins today's manufacturing base. Topics include automation and robotics, advanced materials and equipment, machine vision, industrial IoT, digitalisation and advanced manufacturing, as well as Czech defence priorities and industrial cooperation. 
 
The mission concludes on Friday 9 October with the Czech-Dutch Innovation Day in Dolní Břežany, hosted in the local laser innovation ecosystem and dedicated to cooperation between innovation ecosystems, a shared priority of both governments. 
 
"The Czech Republic's industrial strength and its growing innovation ecosystem make it a natural partner for the Netherlands. This mission brings our companies, research institutions and clusters face to face, and it will not end on 9 October. What we start in Prague, Brno, Zlín and Dolní Břežany is the foundation for lasting cooperation, and we look forward to building on it together in the months ahead," says Mina Noor, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Czech Republic. 
 

Meet the delegation 
"This delegation reflects the diversity of Dutch industry: family-owned manufacturering companies, high-tech system suppliers, research organisations and supply-chain specialists, side by side. What connects them is the ability to take technology from idea to series production, often for both civil and defence applications. The Czech Republic shares that strong engineering tradition. As Europe invests in its industrial base and security, our companies are coming to Czechia to find partners, not just contacts, and to build supply chains that make both countries stronger," says Paul Verlinden, Secretary International Policies at Koninklijke Metaalunie. 
 
Profiles of the participating Dutch companies and organisations are available in the digital mission booklet: https://nlplatform.com/mission-czech-republic.