The newly appointed mayor of Amsterdam Dr EE Van der Laan and deputy mayor Carolien Gehrels were on a two-day exploratory visit to Mumbai last week.
The newly appointed mayor of Amsterdam Dr EE Van der Laan and deputy mayor Carolien Gehrels were on a two-day exploratory visit to Mumbai last week.
In an effort to strengthen the growing cluster of 70 Indian companies and over 6,000 Indian expats in the city, they visited State Bank of India officials who have now begun the process of establishing a branch office in Amsterdam.
They also had talks with an undisclosed Indian company, which has agreed to set up a large hotel in Amsterdam.
However, the highpoint of their trip was a visit to Dharavi. As officials representing the municipality of Amsterdam, Van der Laan said he sees some similarities between the two cities.
“We in Amsterdam have a long tradition of renewing the city. Dharavi is a situation that also occurred in the Netherlands 25 years ago. So besides attracting businesses, we also want to share our best practices, knowledge with Mumbai.”
Deputy mayor Gehrels agreed, adding, “Amsterdam has a waste management plant where 30% of all the garbage of the city is converted into energy, while the waste matter generated is used as construction material.”
“A city produces a lot of garbage; it’s the same in Amsterdam as in Mumbai. The question is how you deal with it. There is definitely scope for knowledge exchange,” she added.
The duo was also optimistic about the numerous anti-corruption protests in India against the backdrop of the demand for the Lokpal Bill.
“The people of the Netherlands detest corruption. We have found that it can eat the heart out of a state. So if you don’t fight it, you will not only have trouble, you will lose. In Amsterdam, for instance, when a civil servant is corrupt, the municipal officials will file a police complaint and he will be out of a job,” said Van der Laan.
The mayor plans to return to India in March 2012, then heading an official Amsterdam Metropolitan Area delegation.
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