Theme: Navigating Strategic Maritime & Shipping Opportunities in the Indo-Dutch Business Corridor
🗓 Date: Thursday, July 3rd, 2025
⏰ Time: 15:00 – 19:15 hrs (Program starts at 15:30 hrs, with ample networking opportunities)
🏢 Venue: Broekman Logistics, Rotterdam
🔗 Register here: https://nicct.nl/events/nibm-events/registration/
This year, NIBM 2025 is taking on a bold new format—leaving behind the traditional setup for a more dynamic, interactive, and engaging experience.
Join us for a talk show-style edition of the Netherlands India Business Meet, where the audience plays a key role in the conversation as well. Expect lively dialogue, real-time insights, and active participation throughout the program.
Set against the backdrop of India’s ambitious Maritime Vision 2030 and the Netherlands’ globally renowned maritime cluster, this year’s meet will dive into the transformative potential of Indo-Dutch cooperation in Maritime and Logistics. With India’s port capacity projected to grow sixfold by 2047, and ongoing investments in green infrastructure and connectivity, the opportunities for collaboration and innovation are greater than ever.
What to Expect:
- An interactive program designed to foster meaningful exchange and insights
- Two table discussions in talk-show-format:
- “Trade Winds: Navigating Trade Flows Between the Netherlands and India in a Geopolitical Landscape”
- “Oceans of Opportunities: Connecting the Maritime Industry Between the Netherlands and India”
- Thematic highlights:
- Maritime Vision 2030 & Indo-Dutch Synergies
- Smart Ports, Sustainable Shipping & Innovation
- Resilient Logistics in a Changing Geopolitical Landscape
- Blue Economy & Green Maritime Technologies
- Top-tier speakers, industry experts, policymakers, and entrepreneurs
- Plenty of time for networking and connection-building
🎟 Admission:
- NICCT Members: Free
- Non-Members: €125,- (excl. VAT)
Photos will be uploaded shortly after the event. Be sure to check back later!
This year’s theme will provide a platform for high-level discussions on critical developments shaping Indo-Dutch business relations in the Maritime and Logistics Sector. India’s maritime sector is central to the country’s economic resurgence, with port capacity expected to increase sixfold by 2047. India’s Maritime Vision 2030, a 10-year roadmap with 150 initiatives across ports, shipyards, and inland waterways aims to establish India as a global maritime leader. Several government schemes have been launched to modernize infrastructure, enhance port connectivity, and promote sustainability in the sector. Maritime sector was one of the focus areas for Indo-Dutch collaboration since 2019 and has been a key topic on the agenda on various economic missions that followed. The Netherlands’ maritime industry, or maritime cluster with shipping, shipbuilding, offshore, inland shipping, dredging, ports, navy, fishing, maritime services, yacht building/watersport industry, and marine equipment supply is export-oriented, knowledge-intensive, globally leading and is one of the most important pillars of the Dutch industrial policy.
With the global leadership of the Netherlands in the Maritime and Logistics sectors and the growth plans in the Indian maritime sector are well positioned to open up a wealth of new initiatives, collaborations and investment projects for Indian and Dutch entrepreneurs.
DRAFT PROGRAM
15.00-15.30 Registration
Informal networking
Opening Session
15.30 Start Program
15.30-15.35 Welcome by Rik Pek – Chief Executive Officer Broekman Logistics
15.35-15.40 Welcome by Edith Nordmann – Chairman NICCT
15.40-16.25 Leadership Exchange
“Trade Winds: Navigating Trade Flows Between the Netherlands and India in a Geopolitical Landscape”
Key Topics
Geopolitical Influences on Trade Flows
How geopolitical tensions, conflicts, and new trade agreements (e.g., the EU-India Free Trade Agreement) are affecting trade between the Netherlands and India. The impact on supply chains and how businesses can adapt to these shifting dynamics.
India’s Growth as a Strategic Trade Partner
Opportunities for Dutch exports to India, focusing on sectors such as technology, agriculture, and energy. India’s rapid growth as a market and its importance as a strategic partner for the Netherlands.
Moderation: Vidhya Sampath – NICCT VP Programs and Liaison to Advisory Board – Director Corporate Affairs Europe – Tata Consultancy Services
15.40-16.00 In conversation with:
– H.E. Mr. Kumar Tuhin – Ambassador of India to The Netherlands (tbc)
– H.E. Mrs. Marisa Gerards – Ambassador of The Netherlands to India (tbc) (online)
16.00-16.25 In Conversation with:
*Rik Pek – Chief Executive Officer Broekman Logistics
*Jeroen Scholten – Global Trade Leader – EY
*Ir. Boudewijn Siemons – CEO – Port of Rotterdam (tbc)
16.25-16.30 “Anchors of Innovation – Logistics & Martime” – Pitch 1
16.30-16.45 Break, Informal networking for participants
16.45-16.50 “Anchors of Innovation – Logistics & Martime” – Pitch 2
16.50-17.35 Visionary Talks “Oceans of Opportunities: Connecting the Maritime Industry Between the Netherlands and India”
Key Topics
PPT Partnerships (Increasing Port Capacity and Building New Ports in India), Dredging, Boosting Cargo Traffic and Logistics, Shipbuilding, (Building) Cruise Tourism (Building Cruise Terminals and Cruise Tourism), Technological Uptake in General (automation) and Digital Transformation, Maritime Sustainability and Decarbonisation
Moderation: Vipin Moharir – Founder & Board Member, Group Chief Strategy Officer – Gateway Group
*Bart Kuipers, PhD – Port Economist – Erasmus Centre for Urban, Port and Transport Economics
*Jaco Kleijwegt – Area Sales Manager India – Royal IHC
*Peter Goedvolk – Chairman Rotterdam Martime Board (tbc)
17.35-17.45 “Anchors of Innovation – Logistics & Maritime” Pitch 3
Audience Voting
Award
17.45-17.50 Wrap up
17.50-19.15 Informal networking with drinks and snacks
We are actively preparing an exceptional program for you. Check frequently to see which subject matter expert speakers have been confirmed.
Our confirmed speakers this year are (in the flow of the program):
Opening session:
Edith Nordmann – Chairman NICCT & Managing Partner ACG International
Edith Nordmann LL.M. is Chairman of the Netherlands India Chamber of Commerce and Trade (NICCT) and Managing Partner at ACG International, a corporate law firm based in Amsterdam.
She is an expert in employment law and a seasoned corporate and commercial litigator, representing both companies and individuals in complex legal matters. Her practice includes cross-border transactions, contract disputes, and national and international litigation. As a certified mediator and arbitrator, she also assists clients in resolving disputes amicably and efficiently.
Fluent in German (native), English, Dutch, French, and Italian, Edith bridges not only language but also cultural and legal differences—placing her in a unique position to navigate cross-border challenges.
Edith is set on sharing her knowledge and empowering the young generations of professionals by way of mentoring and giving guest-lectures at universities across Europe and India. In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded an honorary doctorate (Dr. h.c.). She is currently a member of the B20 Task Force under the G20 Presidency of South Africa in 2025, continuing her active engagement following previous roles in the B20 Task Forces under India and Brazil’s G20 Presidencies.
Alongside her legal and policy work, Edith is committed to social impact and lends her expertise to various charitable and professional organizations, using her voice to empower others and promote meaningful change.
Session: “Trade Winds: Navigating Trade Flows Between the Netherlands and India in a Geopolitical Landscape”
Vidhya Sampath – NICCT VP Programs and Liaison to Advisory Board – Senior Director Corporate Affairs & External Relations – Tata Consultancy Services – Moderator at NIBM 2025
Vidhya Sampath serves as the head of Corporate and European Affairs for Tata Consultancy Services across TCS’ European operations. Prior to this she served as the Director External Relations for Europe and as the Marketing Head for TCS Benelux, a period that saw exceptionally fast growth for TCS.
Vidhya has served as the Director of the Europe India Institute at Nyenrode Business University and initiated the Netherlands India Institute.
As a private consultant she advised several major corporates and public institutions in Europe on business collaboration with India and has orchestrated several high-level missions to India.
Vidhya serves presently as a Vice President on the board of the Netherlands India Chamber of Commerce and Trade and is on the advisory Board to the Europe India Chamber of Commerce.
Vidhya holds a Bachelors degree in Architecture (cum laude), a Masters degree in Urban development and Housing Studies and a MBA from the Rotterdam School of Management. Vidhya is a fully certified yoga teacher and enjoys teaching and practicing yoga on a daily basis.
Session: “Oceans of Opportunities: Connecting the Maritime Industry Between the Netherlands and India”
Bart Kuipers, PhD – Port Economist – Erasmus Centre for Urban, Port and Transport Economics
Bart Kuipers works as an advisor for port authorities, port companies, port cities, regional and national governments and the EU. His advice is based on the academic practice of Erasmus University Rotterdam. As an economic geographer, Bart obtained his PhD on research into the port-related chemical industry. He conducted extensive research into the container industry, regional economics and port scenario research, inland shipping and ports and the maritime industry. Maritime manufacturing is one of his research interests. He conducted research into the future of the larger maritime cluster of the port of Rotterdam, the economic structure of the Dutch maritime industry and into ‘maritime hotspots’ in the Netherlands such as the Drechtsteden and the port of Schiedam. After a visit to Mumbai, he was invited to write an essay on greenfield development for Indian ports. Bart teaches port economics at Erasmus University and gave courses for various companies.
Get ready to connect with your peers!
These participants already registered: Participant overview 8.5.2025
