Dutch firms place orders with N. Korean exporters: report

By Kim Hyun
SEOUL, Nov. 13 (Yonhap) -- Trade between North Korea and the Netherlands is
picking up steam, with Dutch firms reaching out to information technology and
clothing areas in the North, a pro-Pyongyang newspaper said Friday.
Dutch companies gave purchase orders to clothing and machinery firms in North
Korea following their visit there organized by the Chamber of Commerce of the
Netherlands in September, said the Japan-based Choson Sinbo in a dispatch from
Pyongyang.
"Exchange and cooperation projects that were agreed to in meetings between the
Dutch business delegation and the DPRK Commercial Office are entering the stage
of implementation," the report said. DPRK is short for the North's official name,
the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
"Production by the (North) Korean clothing and machinery trade firms is underway
according to the agreements," it added.
Dutch businesses along with firms from 14 other countries participated in the
Pyongyang Autumn International Fair held Sept. 21 to 24. North Korea holds a
trade fair twice a year to draw foreign investment and boost technology
exchanges.
The Choson Sinbo said the Dutch firms then showed interest in the information
technology area, machinery parts and clothing goods and held talks with pertinent
North Korean companies, such as the Joson Computer Center and Unha Clothing
Company.
After returning home, the Dutch produced a report on North Korea's international
economic relations for distribution at home and in other Western European
countries, the newspaper said.
"The DPRK Commercial Office, following the visit by the Dutch business
delegation, is expecting the exchanges with the chambers of commerce in Western
European countries to develop to a higher level," the report said.
hkim@yna.co.kr
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