Goyal highlights India’s strong work Ethic to Dutch investors
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal added a touch of humor to a serious investment pitch in the Netherlands on Monday. Speaking at the India-Netherlands Business Forum, he playfully told Dutch executives that India’s workforce is eager to clock in the hours. He joked that no one in India will remind you when the workday ends, and weekends? Well, they’re hardly a topic of conversation.
Beneath the laughter was a strong message: Dutch companies that establish a presence in India could see their growth potential soar beyond their current expectations. Goyal portrayed India as a reliable partner that values data, technology, and intellectual property, emphasizing the country’s massive infrastructure initiative, which includes around USD 130 billion in government investment and plans to expand the airport network to over 200 locations.
He also drew a comparison between the business climates of the two regions. Goyal pointed out that while Europe seems to be adding more regulations, companies are actually looking for simpler processes, quicker approvals, and lighter compliance burdens. In contrast, he noted that the Indian government actively seeks feedback from businesses on how to make their operations smoother.
Goyal encouraged firms from both nations to collaborate on design, construction, and investment. The forum, which he co-chaired with Dutch Foreign Trade Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma, gathered around 200 representatives from prominent Indian and Dutch companies. It was organized by the Indian Embassy in The Hague in partnership with HSBC Netherlands.
The minister is currently on a tour of Germany and the Netherlands, leading a delegation of about 100 businesses and startups. This visit aims to strengthen trade and investment relationships and to explore the opportunities arising from the India-EU free trade agreement.
