An economic trade mission to India is scheduled for September 2 to September 6. The mission will be headed by Lilianne Ploumen, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation.

Women on Wings will join this mission. “India is quickly becoming a major player in the global market, with a steady growth of 5-7% and a huge market of 1.2 billion people,” says Maria van der Heijden, co-founder of Women on Wings. “The growing middle class has more money to spend, which opens up new opportunities for Dutch businesses in terms of knowledge and technology. In India, 30% of food production is wasted in the chain. Food security will therefore be an important theme during the mission.”

Maria will hold a brief introductory presentation with Ronald van het Hof, managing director in India, on their first morning in Delhi. They will discuss the developments in rural India and the role of Women on Wings. The trade mission will also include visits, presentations and meetings with government representatives, businesses and other relevant organizations in Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad.