Trade deal opens doors in Kazakhstan

Without a trade agreement, it is difficult even to start new business as potential clients might want our product but are deterred by bureaucracy.
Berend Groeneveld, InterDam CCO

InterDam is a Dutch company that makes high-quality, customised doors and walls that are blast proof and fireproof. These are used in on- and offshore hazardous environments, such as oilrigs, electrical substations, and refineries to create safe working conditions. InterDam CCO Berend Groeneveld says that because their products are so specialised, they have always looked to global markets.

A good basis for business

InterDam exports to a large number of countries with trade agreements such as Ghana, Algeria, Mexico, and two of their biggest projects are in Canada and Kazakhstan. According to Mr. Groeneveld, trade agreements make things easier from the very beginning: Without a trade agreement, it is difficult even to start new business as potential clients might want our product but are deterred by bureaucracy.

Understanding business cultures

EU trade agreements often reduce requirements for temporary stays of technical staff or services suppliers. InterDam staff can more easily travel to Kazakhstan for business purposes for up to 90 days. This a feature of many EU trade agreements and is also benefitting InterDam with their business in Canada. European engineering and technical expertise, like InterDam's, deserves to be on the world stage and EU trade agreements help to make that happen.