‘Technology startups can find common ground’

KUALA LUMPUR: Technology startup companies in Malaysia and The Netherlands can find common ground in terms of technology and innovation as both countries have a lot to offer in this sector of growth.

The Netherlands ambassador to Malaysia Karin Mossenlechner said Malaysian tech startups can find ample resource in Amsterdam, which is a global destination for tech startups, while The Netherlands startups can base Kuala Lumpur as the gateway into Asean in terms of tech offerings.

“Both Malaysia and The Netherlands have quite an easy climate in doing business, as both countries have open economies.

“We are encouraging Malaysian high tech startups to have hubs in cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam and similarly Dutch tech startups to use Kuala Lumpur as hub into Asia,” she said in an interview with NST Business.

Mossenlechner said Amsterdam and Rotterdam are deemed an international environment for tech startups.

In April last year, the European Commission awarded Amsterdam the title European Capital of Innovation 2016/2017.

“I see this as a good platform for tech startups from both countries to work together in exchanging ideas between the hubs as these hubs will only get stronger with international presence,” said Mossenlechner.

She said Amsterdam is becoming a hub for information technology, gaming industry and app development as lots of new games and apps are being developed by startups in the country.

On a lighter note, Mossenlechner said together with her Malaysian counterpart in The Netherlands are working together in the floriculture sector, especially in the areas of sustainable cultivation, knowledge and practices.

“We are also working on bringing back tulips here. We have many Malaysians who visit the tulip fields and it would be nice to have tulips, here,” she said.