A new milestone has been reached in the enduring partnership between Côte d’Ivoire and the Netherlands, as the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Abidjan actively contributed to a training session on economic diplomacy this week. The session, organized by The Clingendael Institute, was tailored for mid-career Ivorian diplomats and aimed at deepening their understanding of international economic engagement.

The training opened with remarks from Ambassador Jeroen Kelderhuis, who emphasized the importance of diplomatic capacity-building in fostering sustainable international trade and investment partnerships.

Throughout the session :

·       Matthijs van Eeuwen, Deputy Head of Mission, and

·       Christian DJADJI, Economic Affairs Officer with a focus on the cocoa sector,

shared practical insights on how the Netherlands promotes trade and investment in Côte d’Ivoire—highlighting concrete examples of successful bilateral cooperation.

A Highlight: Private Sector Success

One of the key moments of the training was the testimonial of Paul Bizard, Country Director of Koudijs Animal Nutrition B.V., a Dutch company with a strong presence in Côte d’Ivoire. His story illustrated the company's journey and success in building a sustainable, long-term business in the country—serving as a model of responsible entrepreneurship and Dutch-Ivorian collaboration.

This initiative underscores the Netherlands’ continued commitment to strengthening economic ties and supporting capacity development in Côte d’Ivoire.