The Development Cooperation Matchmaking facility puts companies in developing countries in touch with suitable Dutch business partners. The goal is to stimulate investment in those countries. The Matchmaking facility is available to companies in more than 40 countries in Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe.

Companies must apply for the  Matchmaking service by submitting a proposal for a cooperative effort with a Dutch business. A special form is used for the proposal, which must be submitted to the Dutch Embassy in the local country. The Embassy will consult with its local network to assess the proposal. Proposals that receive a positive assessment from the embassy will be sent on to EVD, a Dutch government agency that provides support to businesses working in the international arena. Proposals must be clearly formulated and well substantiated to be taken into consideration. EVD will start identifying Dutch businesses matching the local business’s profile. EVD runs the Matchmaking facility on behalf of the Dutch Minister for Development Cooperation.

If a suitable match is found, the local company will receive a voucher worth EUR 5,000. The voucher can be used to hire a Dutch consultant to help explore and define the cooperative effort between the local company and the Dutch business partner. The consultant’s duties include arranging for the local company to visit the Netherlands and developing a joint action plan. All travel and accommodation expenses related to the company’s visit in the Netherlands are the sole responsibility of the local company. A half year after the visit, the consultant will conduct an evaluation to determine if the activities have produced a basis for further cooperation.

Local companies that would like to be put in touch with a Dutch business to mutually set up and run a solid project can surf to  www.mfa.nl/english. Select the website of the Dutch Embassy in the appropriate country and fill in the  application form. The Dutch Embassies worldwide are available to provide more information on the Development Cooperation Matchmaking facility.