Konnichiwa! Welcome to Limburg
Bert Roona, foreign investment manager LIOF
'While I am at a logistics fair in Singapore in 32 degrees, I see in the NOS app that a storm is coming in the Netherlands. "Glad I'm here," I still think. But I cheer too soon, because the same storm causes my flight to be canceled two days later. I am forced to stay an extra night in Singapore ...
I give a good feeling about Limburg
As a foreign investment developer at LIOF, I help foreign companies that want to establish themselves in Limburg. My focus areas are logistics and digitalization. My work mainly consists of connecting people and organizations and showing them the possibilities of Limburg. This is what gives me energy!
Logistics fascinates me greatly
And anything to do with trains, boats and airplanes catches my attention. This started with a train set from Hema on my sixth birthday. This set has since grown into a train room with a harbor landscape and container cranes. You can understand that I am very grateful that I get to walk around in this playground for my work!
Automation and robotization
The logistics sector is indispensable to our economy. It is therefore great to see that we have welcomed many new companies in recent years. There has also been an increasing focus on automation and robotization in logistics in recent years. I have also started to focus more on this.
Always handy!
My last trip to Japan and Singapore was a nice combination of these two areas of interest. In Japan, I visited a robotization company that I had encountered at a congress last year. They informed me shortly after the congress that they wanted to look at Europe. That's when I spring into action and a visit to headquarters is always convenient! In a few weeks I will show this company the possibilities of Limburg.
I'm not in control of everything, but a lot is
How wonderful it would be if this company eventually chooses a location in Limburg! But I also know that there is still much to be arranged and that many factors play a role. On a few you have influence, but on a lot also not.
There need only be a few among them
In Singapore, we are promoting logistics in the Netherlands with a Dutch pavilion. In three days I talked to about fifty different companies here. All these people are looking for something different. I always hope that there are a few of them who are seriously looking for a solution in which I can make a difference. By now I have visited quite a few trade fairs and can reasonably estimate what kind of people will walk by. I often have interesting conversations in which I explain a lot about doing business in Europe via the Netherlands;
"A trade show is sowing.
And hoping you meet the right people at the right time.
The photo shows Bert Roona in Japan
International business is great!
But it also requires adaptability and patience. That is sometimes quite difficult. But does the customer ultimately choose a Limburg solution? Then the satisfaction is great. Success or no success, the customer often thanks me for my efforts to inform and help them make the best possible choice. That's what I do it for.
Naturally, I have now set my sights on landing the Japanese robotics company in Limburg! We'll see ...
Limburg as the beating heart of Europe
Many companies from Asia or the USA see Europe as an opportunity to tap into a new customer base. I give these companies all the information they need to make an informed decision. The next step is often for them to visit the region. I introduce them to relevant institutes or logistics service providers. I also sometimes look for suitable locations where they can start their own warehouse. Of course I show them the existing infrastructure and a visit to a rail or barge terminal is not missing. Are they enthusiastic and see opportunities? Then I introduce the companies to accountants so they can actually set up an entity in the Netherlands.