NLHortiWaterRoad2Egypt officially confirmed during GreenTech

On Tuesday 10 June, during the first day of the GreenTech trade fair in Amsterdam, the covenant NLHortiWaterRoad2Egypt was ceremonially confirmed in the presence of Egyptian Vice Minister Mustafa El Sayyed from the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, and Saad Moussa, responsible for international affairs within the Egyptian ministry.

This covenant marks a public-private partnership under the PIB programme. The agreement with the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) was signed by nine Dutch companies: Boal Group, Hoogendoorn Growth Management, Koppert, Klasmann-Deilmann, KUBO, Priva, Ridder, Svensson, and Van der Hoeven Horticultural Projects. Together, this cluster will capitalise on opportunities for climate-smart and water-efficient horticulture in Egypt — contributing to the sustainable development of the Egyptian horticulture sector in a way that is both meaningful and commercially viable.

As part of the PIB programme, the cluster will organise activities such as incoming and outgoing trade missions, trade fair visits, matchmaking, and knowledge-sharing initiatives. The programme is coordinated by RVO on behalf of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is supported by the Netherlands Embassy in Cairo. The PIB is implemented by Dutch Greenhouse Delta.

© Dutch Greenhouse Delta

Opportunities for Dutch companies
Egypt's agricultural sector is vital to the country's economy and employment, making it the largest agricultural producer in North Africa. Despite this strong agricultural base, the sector faces major challenges, including water scarcity, outdated technologies, and inefficient production — including in protected cultivation. The Egyptian protected cultivation market is diverse but still relatively underdeveloped by international standards. However, since the early 2000s, the Egyptian government has taken significant steps to improve the sector, including investments in modern irrigation systems.

Dutch companies are well-positioned to play a key role in advancing Egypt's protected horticulture sector with their cutting-edge technologies and expertise. This includes advanced irrigation techniques, efficient water management solutions, greenhouse and cover technologies, automation systems, and innovative cultivation methods.

By working closely with local partners, Dutch companies can contribute to modernising and making the sector more sustainable — creating direct business opportunities while making a meaningful impact on its long-term development.