Is your company active in the aviation, agrotech, or floating offshore wind sector?
Are you curious about your business opportunities in the region around Toulouse in France? Then join this mission, led by the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Ingrid Thijssen, President of VNO-NCW, will serve as the business mission leader.

This mission will take place in and around Toulouse, in the French region of Occitanie. It starts in the evening of September 30, 2025, for all sectors. On the following two mission days (October 1 and 2), each sector will follow its own tailored program. Depending on your sector program, you may return on either October 2 or 3.

His Majesty the King and Her Majesty Queen Máxima will pay a working visit to the Occitanie region in France on Wednesday, October 1. They will visit the city of Toulouse. This visit marks a key moment within the Netherlands-France Economic Year, which was agreed upon during President Macron’s state visit to the Netherlands in April 2023. The aim of this year is to boost trade relations, attract new mutual investments, and strengthen innovative partnerships and knowledge exchange. The working visit focuses on the bilateral Pact for Innovation and Sustainable Growth, signed to foster cooperation in strategic sectors such as aerospace, energy transition, and agri-food technology.

The French market

France is an important trade and cooperation partner for the Netherlands. It is one of Europe’s largest economies, with a strong industrial foundation and active support for innovation.

Who should participate and why?

This mission is intended for Dutch companies and knowledge institutes active in civil and military aviation, agrotech, or floating offshore wind.

By participating, you can:

• visit key French organizations in your sector;
• make high-level contacts and expand your network;
• learn more about French developments and challenges in your industry;
• sign contracts, letters of intent, or Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in the presence of the Minister;
• explore your market opportunities in France;
• gain insight into your market proposition to define your entry strategy;
• present yourself to potential export partners;
• increase your visibility in both the French and Dutch networks; and
• strengthen your position among French stakeholders.

Opportunities by sector

For Civil and Military Aviation and Agrotech, please see the RVO website here.

Floating Offshore Wind: France aims to install 45 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2050, with an intermediate target of 20 GW (including both fixed and floating wind farms) by 2035. Occitanie is taking a leading role, planning six commercial floating wind farms in the Mediterranean Sea with a combined capacity of 6 GW. This mission includes a dedicated program for offshore wind.

The floating offshore wind sector program is relevant for the entire supply chain. It is also of interest to companies and knowledge institutes involved in:

• technical design (engineering);
• consultancy; and
• research and development.

This sector program focuses on capitalizing on the many opportunities in the Occitanie region. The region has invested €140 million in the port of Port-la-Nouvelle to become the logistics and industrial hub for renewable energy.

Occitanie aims to have two commercial floating wind farms operational in the Mediterranean Sea by 2031. The development, installation, and operation of these wind farms were awarded in December 2024 to two consortia:

• Ocean Winds/Éolien en Mer (Narbonnaise 1); and
• EDF Renouvelables/Maple Power (Golfe du Fos).

Each of the planned wind farms will have an initial capacity of 250 MW, later to be expanded by an additional 500 MW. This development presents significant opportunities for Dutch companies and knowledge institutions, who can make strong contributions due to the Netherlands’ expertise in offshore wind and its international reputation in maritime engineering and offshore oil & gas.

The French sector is actively seeking to benefit from Dutch knowledge and experience in areas such as:

• design
• engineering
• installation
• logistics
• maintenance
• innovation

Occitanie recognizes Dutch expertise. For example, in 2022, the region signed a Memorandum of Understanding between Wind’Occ and Holland Home of Wind Energy (HHWE). Universities in Occitanie also maintain strong ties with Dutch institutions, such as TU Delft.

This economic mission offers an excellent opportunity to strengthen existing collaborations. During the mission, Dutch companies and research institutions will engage with French organizations, government entities, and consortia. This may lead to future involvement in projects within this rapidly growing sector.

Program overview

The mission starts on September 30 for all sectors. Depending on your specific program, the mission concludes on October 2 or 3. Final programs are still being developed and will be tailored as much as possible to participants’ interests.

The program will certainly include:

• a kick-off with the full Dutch trade delegation (Tuesday, September 30, late afternoon);
• sector-specific company visits;
• an information seminar for knowledge sharing and company presentations;
• matchmaking (only if requested during registration; approaches will vary by sector);
• a networking dinner/reception.

Preview of the floating wind program, which will include the following components:

• roundtable discussion on challenges and opportunities for cooperation between the Netherlands and France;
• visit to the strategic transit port of Port-la-Nouvelle;
• meeting with the two developers (Ocean Winds and EDF Renouvelables/Maple Power) of the floating wind farms in the Mediterranean Sea to discuss the projects in detail;
• matchmaking sessions; and
• company visits.

Participation and costs

Participation costs €950 per organization (for up to two participants). Note: each participant must register separately. Each additional participant costs €475. If your organization registers multiple people, they may (if desired) follow different sector programs.

This fee includes participation in collective program elements, local support by the organizers, and local transportation (as part of the mission program). Travel, accommodation, and personal transfers are at your own expense and risk. After registration closes, you will receive travel and accommodation suggestions as soon as possible.

The working language during this mission is English.

Registration

Interested in your business opportunities in France? Register for this economic mission before Thursday, July 3, 2025. Register here.

Participation is open only to Dutch companies and organizations that fit the mission’s focus. Registration and confirmation of receipt do not automatically mean acceptance. Final confirmation will follow after the registration deadline.

Organizers

The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) is organizing this mission together with:

• the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• the Dutch Embassy in Paris
• the Netherlands Business Support Office (NBSO) in Nantes

In cooperation with:

• VNO-NCW
• Netherlands Aerospace Group (NAG)
• Netherlands Industries for Defence and Security (NIDV)
• Holland Home of Wind Energy (HHWE)
• FME (Federation of the Metal and Electrical Engineering Industry)

On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Corporate Social Responsibility

The Dutch government values responsible business conduct and endorses the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. These guidelines define CSR standards for internationally active entrepreneurs. Compliance with these guidelines is a requirement for participation in this mission.

More information

If you have questions about the mission, please contact:

Hanneke Bogaerts – Project Manager Missions at RVO
hanneke.bogaerts@rvo.nl

Margriet Veenstra – Project Manager Missions at RVO
margriet.veenstra@rvo.nl

Commissioned by: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands