Export strategy (PSB)
Objective and content:
The aim of the Programme for Starters in Foreign Markets (PSB) is to encourage you to start exporting to new markets. PSB offers support for that purpose in the form of advice and assistance in setting up an export plan and financial contributions towards the costs of a number of activities, such as market surveys, the organisation of a programme of visits or participation in foreign trade fairs.
You draw up an export plan together with the international trade consultants of the Chamber of Commerce, the FME-CWM Association, the Metaalunie employers organisation, Modint or the Netherlands Export Combination (NEC). This plan is presented to the EVD for approval. Once a plan has been approved, you have 18
months to implement it.
The EVD bears the costs of the advice and assistance you receive during this process. The subsidy for implementing an export plan amounts to 50% of the costs of the activity, to a maximum of € 11,500. The maximum contribution per activity is € 5,750.
Main terms and conditions:
Dutch companies with up to 100 employees (FTEs)
You wish to export, but have little export experience. In the 12 months prior to your application, you should not have realised more than 3% of your total turnover in the foreign market to which you wish to export.
If the country to which you want to export lies within the European Union (EU), exports should not have accounted for more than 20% of your sales in the 12 months prior to your application.
If the country to which you want to export lies outside the EU, exports should not have accounted for more than 30% of your sales in the 12 months prior to your application.
For more information, please contact:
The Chamber of Commerce in your region: see the website at 
www.kvk.nl
Netherlands Export Combination (NEC)
Tel. +31 35 - 601 6451,
Fax +31 35 - 601 24 69,
E-mail: 
wery@nec.nl
Website: www.nec.nl
FME/CWM
Tel. +31 79 - 353 1283,
Fax +31 79 - 353 1365,
E-mail: jjo@fme.nl
Website: www.fme.nl
Metaalunie
Tel. +31 30 - 605 3344,
Fax +31 30 - 605 3208,
E-mail: verlinden@metaalunie.nl
Website : www.metaalunie.nl
Modint
Tel. +31 20 - 512 1452,
Fax +31 20 - 617 0634,
E-mail: volker@modintbusiness.nl
Website : www.modint.nl
Feasibility studies (PESP)
Objective and content:
The aim of the Programme for Economic Co-operation in Projects (PESP) is to promote exports to and economic co-operation with emerging markets. Through PESP, you can quality for a financial contribution for the following activities:
- Feasibility studies
- Studies for the preparation of an investment
- Project identification (in exceptional cases)
Main terms and conditions:
Export transactions that have already reached the offer or implementing stage do not qualify. The maximum contribution is 2/3 of the total estimated cost of the activity, to a maximum of EUR 140,000 per project
The study must relate to a concrete project that can generate broad Dutch exports
You must present a working plan showing who your foreign partner is, where the activities will be performed, what needs to be investigated and how the part of the estimated costs that will not be covered by PESP (at least 1/3 of the total costs) will be financed.
At the start of the PESP process, there must be a genuine prospect of financing for the project after the study is completed
Market research for an individual (consumer) product or projects purely for demonstration purposes do not qualify.
For more information, please contact:
EVD, PESP Secretariat
Tel. +31 70 – 778 8982
Fax +31 70 – 373 5610
E-mail: pesp@evd.nl.
Website: www.evd.nl/pesp
Test Projects in Emerging Markets (PSOM)
Foreign companies who want to set up a small-scale pilot investment in Uganda can apply for financial support for 60% of the project costs. The projects can be set up as a joint venture consisting of at least one foreign company (a company based in the Netherlands or a company based in a developing country) and one Ugandan company.
Objective and content:
The Programme for Co-operation with Emerging Markets (PSOM) is designed to stimulate corporate investment in emerging markets. PSOM projects are test projects, which try out new production methods or services in developing countries on a pilot scale, in order to determine whether commercial operations/relationships are possible. Preference is given to investments.
Main terms and conditions:
- The financial contribution from PSOM amounts to 50% or 60% of the project costs. 60% applies for Least Developed Countries only (Tanzania, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Uganda), and 50% for all other countries.
- Your company must itself bear the share of the project costs that is not financed by PSOM.
- The project must result in visible spin-offs or follow-up investments.
- The project must result in a sustainable investment or trading relationship (preferably a joint venture)
- A PSOM project should be relevant to development, show clear, measurable results and where possible, give rise to positive environmental and gender effects.
Every year, EVD invites a tender for each country, for which Dutch companies (or in the case of Uganda a company based in a developing country) can submit proposals together with a company from the developing country.
For more information, please contact:
ms. Sylvia van Buchem from EVD buchem @EVD.nl
Website: www.psom.nl
Financing of an investment transaction in the least developed countries (LDC)
Objective and content:
Through the LDC fund, FMO supports the development and improvement of the social and economic infrastructure in the LDCs. FMO aims to encourage private investors to invest in private or public-private infrastructure projects in these countries. By providing
venture capital, the LDC fund eliminates a clear risk for other financiers. This should act as a catalyst for raising additional private funding. Via the LDC fund, FMO can provide various forms of long-term financing (for terms of up to 20 years) for major infrastructure projects in LDCs, such as mezzanine (= risk-bearing) loans, equity investments and also make donations for the development of new projects.
Main terms and conditions:
The transactions must relate to infrastructure projects that contribute towards the development and/or improvement of social and economic infrastructure (energy supplies, telecommunications, water, transport, environmental or social infrastructure).
In order to ensure that an investment is sustainable, projects are assessed in terms of corporate governance and social and environmental criteria, as well as in relation to the financial and economic conditions.
For more information, please contact:
Nederlandse Financierings Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelingslanden N.V. (FMO)
Tel +31 70-3149613
Fax: +31 70- 3246187
E-mail: africa@fmo.nl
Website: www.fmo.nl
Financing via subordinated loans in emerging markets (IFOM)
Objective and content:
The purpose of IFOM is to stimulate the economic development of emerging markets by promoting investments by Dutch SMEs. In emerging markets, IFOM offers companies in which a business established in the Netherlands invests the opportunity to strengthen their financial structure with the aid of a risk-bearing subordinated loan (IFOM loan). The subordination means that if the local company fails or is granted a moratorium on payments, the IFOM loan will in principle not be reclaimed until other creditors have been paid. This reduces the risk for the Dutch investor.
Main terms and conditions:
The lower limit for an IFOM loan is € 45,000 and the upper limit € 2.3 million. The life of the loan varies from 3 to 12 years and the interest is agreed at a commercial rate.
The shareholders’ equity of the company in the emerging market must account for at least 15% of the total equity, including the IFOM loan.
At least 40% of the foreign company’s risk-bearing capital (shareholders’ equity and subordinated capital) must be provided by one or more Dutch companies.
The Dutch company in question must be an SME (including with fewer than 250 employees, an annual turnover of < € 40 million or a balance sheet total of < € 27 million)
Some sectors do not qualify for an IFOM loan, such as companies that earn more than 50% of their annual turnover in the property sector, the banking and insurance world or investment activities, financial holding companies or associations that are active in the production of strategic military products.
For more information, please contact:
Nederlandse Financierings Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelingslanden N.V.
Tel: +31 70- 3149694
Fax: +31 70- 3246187
E-mail: info@fmo.nl
Website: www.fmo.nl
Financing of technical assistance in developing countries (IBTA-OL)
Objective and content:
The Investment Promotion and Technical Assistance for Developing Countries programme (IBTA-OL) is designed to strengthen the private sector in developing countries. At the same time, it offers opportunities for Dutch companies who can respond to demand for foreign investments, modern management methods and technologies and the development of new markets and products. The main activities for which subsidies or loans are provided are:
Main terms and conditions:
The application must be directed at private companies or at state-owned companies/institutions that operate on an independent, commercial basis.
With the exception of new training centres for a sector, educational and health institutions do not qualify. Priority is given to SMEs.
The activity must be performed by qualified companies or persons. These should come from the Netherlands or the relevant country. If they cannot be found in these countries, recruitment can take place elsewhere.
For more information, please contact:
Nederlandse Financierings Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelingslanden N.V. (FMO)
Tel: +31 70- 3149696
Fax: +31 70- 324 61 87
E-mail: info@fmo.nl
Website: www.fmo.nl
Financing via share investments in developing countries (NIMF)
Objective and content:
The aim of the Netherlands Investment Matching Fund (NIMF) is to promote direct investments in developing countries. NIMF capital is provided in the form of share investments or as 'mezzanine' financing, usually a convertible or subordinated loan. The minimum amount for a loan from the NIMF fund is EUR 1 million and the maximum EUR 5 million. NIMF finances no more than the amount contributed as venture capital by the Dutch or foreign company.
Main terms and conditions:
The financing is provided on commercial terms.
For each loan, specific conditions are imposed, consistent with the business and/or the investment to be financed.
For more information, please contact:
Nederlandse Financierings Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelingslanden N.V. (FMO)
Tel: +31 70- 3149714
Fax: +31 70- 3149758
E-mail: info@fmo.nl
Website: www.fmo.nl
PUM Netherlands senior experts
Objective and content:
Programme under which senior managers, many of whom are retired or have taken early retirement, are assigned to individual (or groups of) companies and organisations in Africa, Asia, Latin America and central and eastern Europe to share their knowledge and experience. PUM has senior advisors available in practically every field of agriculture, industry and trade but also in the fields of health care, management and public sector services. PUM also organises training courses in the Netherlands and has a Business Link Programme.
Main terms and conditions:
Any local private or state company which is independent and works commercially can apply to PUM. The condition is that it is not subsidiairy to a foreign or multinational company.
Only companies which lack financial resources of their own are eligible to call upon the services of an independent external advisor.
There has to be a reasonable relationship between the costs of the mission -e.g. travelling expenses to the country in question, insurance, administrative costs and the like- and the result to be expected.
The company requesting a manager pays the local costs, such as accomodation, cost of living, transport and office facilities.
For more information, please contact:
Mrs. Alida Bakema-Boon and Mr. Reint J. Bakema
Tel.: +256 41-501896
Mobile: +256 77-378791/895100
E-mail: rabakema@infocom.co.ug
Website: www.pum.nl
CBI Center for the promotion of imports from developing countries
The Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI) is established in 1971 and is an Agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. CBI operates within the policy framework set by the Netherlands Minister for Development Cooperation.
The CBI's mission is to contribute to the economic development of developing countries by strengthening the competitiveness of companies from those countries on the EU market. CBI considers social values and compliance with the most relevant environmental requirements to be an integral part of its policies and activities.
In order to accomplish its mission CBI concentrates on five core competencies. These are:
- Market knowledge
CBI has an intimate knowledge of the structures, characteristics, developments and requirements of markets in the European Union. - Product and production improvement
CBI is able to provide technical assistance in improving products and production processes that contribute to the competitiveness on the EU markets. - Quality control
Quality is of main concern to the consumers and end users in the European Union. There are multiple rules, regulations and standards on quality (originating from) stipulated by the European Union, national governments, trade & industry, non-governmental organisations, etc. CBI is able to coach exporters and business support organisations in meeting the requirements in this regard. - Export marketing and management
CBI is able to provide technical assistance and training on improving export marketing and management knowledge and skills within companies. - Market entry
Through its knowledge of the markets and its long year experience CBI is able to provide guidance and market entry services to companies in gaining access to, maintaining and expanding market share on the EU markets.
For disciplines beyond our core competencies, CBI co-operates with various other specialised organisations.
CBI offers the following programmes:
- Market information
A variety of tools to keep exporters and Business Support Organisations (BSO's) in developing countries in step with the very latest development on the EU market. - Company matching
The company matching programme links well-versed suppliers in developing countries to reliable importing companies in the EU and vice versa. - Export Development Programmes
EDPS are designed to assist entrepreneurs in developing countries in entering and succeeding on the EU market and/or consolidating or expanding their existing market share. - Training Programmes
Training Programmes for exporters and business support organisations on among others, general export marketing and management; trade promotion; management of international trade fair participations and developing client-oriented market information systems. - BSO development programme
Institutional support for capacity building for selected business support organisations.
Please note that there are 40 countries that are eligible for all CBI programmes.
The primary clients and direct beneficiaries of CBI are exporting companies and business support organisations (BSO's) in developing countries as well as importing companies in the European Union.
In order to focus its efforts, CBI has restricted its programmes to a selected number of market sectors and countries.
In addition, CBI applies certain criteria for companies to qualify for specific CBI programmes. For more information, refer to the specific programme sections on the website.
Companies from Uganda are participating in the following export development programmes:
- Cut flowers
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Natural ingredients for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals
- Organic food ingredients
- Tourism
can apply to the current programmes:
- There are no programmes (other than the ones listed above) to which companies from Uganda can apply.
and can apply to the following future programmes:
- Natural ingredients for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals
- Organic food ingredients
Exporters and business support organisations in Uganda can also make use of CBI's market information, company matching, and training programmes.
For more information, please contact:
For more information, please contact:
CBI Beursgebouw, 5th floor
Beursplein 37
3011 AA Rotterdam
Tel.: +31 10 201 3434
Fax: +31 10 411 4081
E-mail: cbi@cbi.eu
Internet: www.cbi.eu
Post address:
P.O. Box 30009
3001 DA Rotterdam
The Netherlands
Exporting to developing countries (ORET)
Objective and content:
Developing countries that wish to invest in local infrastructure and thus need foreign goods and services, can apply for an ORET grant in order to alleviate the investment costs. An ORET grant may be used to partially finance, for example, investments in roads, health care, education or drinking water facilities.
Main terms and conditions:
- Transactions in Uganda may be awarded a grant of 50% of the total transaction value.
- The amount of the transaction may not exceed €45 million.
- The end-user of the goods, services or works is often a national authority, but may be a local or regional authority, a state-owned company, a public-private partnership or a private company.
- The supplier of the goods, services or works, which is the applicant for the ORET grant, is a private company. Both Dutch and non-Dutch exporters can apply for an ORET grant.
For more information, please contact:
Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO)
Tel +31 (0)70-314 98 14
E-mail: oret@fmo.nl
Website: www.fmo.nl
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The Embassy is not responsible for the contents of the related links.
