PRESS RELEASE
Aviation covenant: Dutch companies to
pursue Russian airport redevelopment
contracts
The Hague, 12 October 2012 – Nine Dutch companies will today sign a covenant with
Bas Pulles, acting director of the international business development division of
NL Agency. Under the agreement, the Dutch government will co-finance marketing
and other activities whereby the companies hope to secure a number of airport
redevelopment contracts in Russia, with a value of between 2.5 million and 5 million
euros, over the coming three-year period. In the longer term, projects worth between
20 million and 25 million euros are likely to become available. The covenant is the
initiative of NACO (Netherlands Airport Consultants), part of the Dutch project
management, consultancy and engineering services provider Royal HaskoningDHV.
Fifteen airports in Russia have already been earmarked for redevelopment with work due
to commence within three years. The signatories wish to take advantage of the market
opportunities thus created by making their knowledge and expertise available to Russian
partners. The covenant also covers joint promotion, investment, research, training and
cooperation within the civil aviation sector in both countries. The Dutch government has
agreed to contribute fifty per cent of the cost of these activities, for which a total budget of
EUR 815,000 has been set. The other half will be contributed by the private sector parties
themselves.
The possibility of clustering Dutch companies to serve the Russian aviation market was
raised in October 2011, during a visit to Moscow by Mark Rutte, Minister President of the
Netherlands, and Melanie Schultz van Haegen, Minister for Infrastructure and Environment.
This proposal gave rise to the ‘Dutch Aviation Solutions Russia’ programme, which will now
receive formal government support under the covenant. The relevant funding will be
provided as part of the new ‘Partners for International Business’ programme, which is
managed by NL Agency on behalf of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and
Innovation.
Alongside NACO, the signatories to the covenant are ACTM (Airport Commerce & Talent
Management), Districon, FSC (Flight Simulation Company), NLR (National Aerospace
Laboratory of the Netherlands), Royal HaskoningDHV Moscow, SGI Aviation,
Stratagem Group and Vanderlande Industries. The companies will operate under the joint
name ‘Dutch Aviation Solutions Russia’ (DASR).
2013: Netherlands-Russia Year
The relationship between The Netherlands and Russia is a rich one that dates back
centuries. From the beginning, trade and innovation have been at the heart of it. Back in
2009 The Netherlands accepted Russia’s invitation to designate 2013 ‘Netherlands-Russia
Year’. The program for 2013 has been built around the pillars of economy, culture, politics,
and the environment. The Aviation Cluster/DASR intends to take advantage of the
activities organized in both the Netherlands and Russia.
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Note to the Editor
For more information:
Suzette Schreuder, Press Officer, +31 883482026, +31 6 29098238
Royal HaskoningDHV * 8,000 staff * 100 offices * 35 countries
Royal HaskoningDHV, headquartered in Amersfoort (the Netherlands), is one of Europe’s leading
project management, engineering and consultancy service providers, ranking globally in the top 10 of
independently owned, non-listed companies and in the top 40 overall. We carry out more than 30,000
projects worldwide every year in planning and transport, infrastructure, water, maritime, aviation,
industry, energy, mining and buildings. Royal HaskoningDHV has an annual turnover in excess of € 700
million.
www.royalhaskoningdhv.com
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