Mark Rutte, prime minister of the Netherlands, is set to visit Atlanta this fall on a trade mission undertaken in partnership with the government of the Flanders region of Belgium.
The Oct. 5-7 mission will include a group of Dutch and Flemish businesses and will focus on enhancing trade and investment ties.
Flemish Minister-President Geert Bourgeois will lead the delegation on the Flemish side. Flanders, the Dutch-speaking northern region of Belgium bordering the Netherlands, has an investment and trade office in Atlanta.
Logistics, IT and cybersecurity are likely areas in which the delegation will explore collaboration. A variety of Dutch firms in the logistics field have set up shop in Georgia, including software provider Ortec and baggage conveyance systems manufacturer Vanderlande Industries.
Belgian investment has largely focused on flooring and pharmaceuticals. IVC Group, which was acquired by Calhoun, Ga.-based Mohawk Industries Inc. for $1.2 billion earlier this year, is based in West Flanders.
The mission is solely focused on Georgia and the Dutch prime minister will not be visiting other cities, according to a source.
Trade and investment ties with the Netherlands support nearly 24,000 jobs in Georgia.
See the embassy announcement about the about the mission here.
