Directorate-General for Foreign Economic Relations (DGBEB)
DGBEB works to increase the Netherlands’ international earning capacity and security, while promoting a more just world. It helps Dutch companies do business abroad, promotes Dutch interests in and through EU trade agreements and facilitates the responsible export of strategic goods and technology.
DGBEB helps the Dutch business community operate successfully within the frameworks relating to responsible business conduct (RBC). It also analyses international economic developments and translates them into policy options for the Netherlands.
International Enterprise Department (DIO)
DIO supports companies in doing business outside the Netherlands. It does so via trade missions, grants to businesses to promote their international activities, loans and export credit guarantees and advice to companies that wish to expand their activities abroad. This requires close cooperation with implementing organisations such as the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), Invest International and Atradius.
Dutch trade policy focuses on 25 priority markets – these are a combination of developed and emerging markets where there are significant earning opportunities for Dutch companies now and in the future. DIO supports sustainable activities and projects in particular.
DIO also works with other DGBEB departments to encourage innovation and trade, and to develop opportunities in priority markets. By doing so, it helps strengthen the Netherlands’ earning capacity and competitiveness. DIO works in consultation with knowledge institutions, the business community and the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
Economic Advice and Policy Development Department (EAB)
EAB’s mission is to promote economic resilience and security. It is responsible for DGBEB’s strategic policymaking and plays a key role in many DG-wide and substantive policy processes. EAB advises on international economic developments and shares knowledge about trends and developments, research, positioning and economic diplomacy policy development. It is also responsible for developing and implementing activities related to specific topics, such as efforts to attract foreign investment, economic security and green growth. EAB also serves as DGBEB’s DG coordinator.
International Trade Policy and Economic Governance Department (IMH)
IMH works within the EU on developing trade policy with high standards. Trade policy involves agreements with countries outside the EU and the rules that apply to reciprocal market access for goods, services, tenders and investments. IMH advocates for Dutch interests in negotiations within the EU.
In addition, IMH focuses on export controls for strategic goods, which are goods of a sensitive nature whose export is subject to restrictions. Export control policy is designed to promote Dutch resilience, preserve our leading position in the field of technology and safeguard our security.
Responsible business conduct (RBC) is also an aspect of IMH’s work. RBC provides the basis for making international value chains more sustainable and is at the heart of the business community’s efforts to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Dutch RBC policy focuses on encouraging businesses to ensure that their value chains do not negatively impact people and the environment. Businesses are supported in this regard by the RBC support office, and there is a grant scheme for cooperation within the sector.