The Dutch and Chinese governments on Tuesday signed an agreement to work together ‘more intensively’ in the aviation sector.

This is good news for the Dutch aviation industry, according to economic affairs minister Henk Kamp, who is on the second day of a trade mission to China.

‘Normally Dutch companies are in competition with Chinese companies in trying to do business in China,’ he told broadcaster Nos. ‘This will become easier with an agreement between the two governments.’

China has the fastest growing aviation sector in the world and its ambitions are big. Not only are Chinese airlines aiming to increase their fleet by 2,000 aircraft in the next 20 years, they are also developing their own aircraft, the Comac C919. They are also developing their know-how in space travel at a fast pace, Nos says.

The agreement creates opportunities for Dutch companies such as Fokker Elmo which makes electrical systems for aircraft.