ST. PAUL, MN - Governor Tim Walz today announced he will lead a business development mission to the Netherlands from February 17-19, with stops in Eindhoven, The Hague, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and Delft. The mission will focus on showcasing the state as a top destination for business investment, developing new partnership opportunities, and strengthening existing ties and investments.

"Business development missions provide an opportunity to strengthen international economic ties and lead to direct investment in Minnesota,” said Governor Walz. “I am thrilled to lead this trip to the Netherlands to further strengthen the state's trade and investment relationships with an important international market.”

“Minnesota companies have a global marketplace, and DEED is committed to helping them find new customers and investment from around the world," said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. "Visiting the Netherlands will help us establish new ties, strengthen existing relationships, and benefit Minnesota companies, workers, and the state's economy."

The Minnesota Trade Office at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is organizing the business development mission. Governor Walz, DEED Commissioner Varilek, and Minnesota Trade Office leaders will facilitate a robust itinerary for the delegation as they meet with local elected leaders and Dutch companies looking to buy goods from North America.

The country occupies a strategic commercial location and is a key center within the global business network, with advanced infrastructure geared toward the transportation of goods, people, and data. Minnesota’s total trade in goods with the Netherlands was $908 million in 2024. The Netherlands is the state’s 10th largest export market, with $614 million in Minnesota exports in 2024. Minnesota imported $294 million in goods from the Netherlands that year.

More than a dozen Netherlands-based companies have operations in Minnesota, employing 6,900 Minnesotans and with $328 million invested in gross plant, property, and equipment in 2024. More than 30 Minnesota companies – including giants such as 3M, Cargill, Ecolab, and C.H. Robinson – have business operations at about 200 locations in the Netherlands.