The Embassy Award is presented every two years and is an initiative of business associations evofenedex, VNO-NCW, and MKB-Nederland, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The winner is chosen based on a survey conducted among the Dutch business community.
Entrepreneurs who have done business abroad in the past year and have been assisted by a Dutch embassy or consulate-general could nominate a foreign representation for the award. In the survey, the entrepreneurs also provided feedback on the quality of service. Almost 300 entrepreneurs completed the survey.
Average Rating of 9.5
A total of 261 embassies or consulates-general were nominated for the award, spread over 36 countries. These representations received an average rating of 9.5 for their services. For example, for support in making new contacts, information about the local market, and trade missions. Almost two-thirds of the respondents rated the service even with a 10.
The embassy in Stockholm and the consulate-general in Toronto were mentioned most often by entrepreneurs and therefore win the Embassy Award for respectively large and small posts.
Reinette Klever, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation: “Our representations are ready to assist entrepreneurs abroad. They have a large network, know the local market, and can open doors with governments. Our embassies and consulates are the springboard to a successful foreign adventure.”
Successful Business Abroad
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has approximately 150 representations abroad that are ready to assist entrepreneurs. The ministry also helps entrepreneurs with basic information about countries, subsidies, and trade missions.