Samenvatting

The aim of this dissertation is to indicate the effects of the Dutch economic diplomacy on the export of Life Sciences & Health companies to China in the period from 2010 until 2015. Economic diplomacy is a form of diplomacy where the government actively tries to influence economic elements like export for economic purposes. (Van Bergeijk, 2009, p. 5) An important theoretical model for economic diplomacy is the gravity model. (Tinbergen, 1962, p. 31) The more economic mass a country has, the more economic interaction there is with other countries. On the other hand, when there is more distance between countries, the economic interaction is lower.
In 2011 the Dutch government developed a new economic policy. This so-called Topsector policy has selected nine sectors in The Netherlands that receive extra support from the Dutch government. The Life Sciences & Health sector is one of these nine Topsectors which is selected. (Ministerie van Economische Zaken, Landbouw & Innovatie, 2011, p. 1)
Over the years, China had an economic growth between 7% and 13% each year. (CIA The World Factbook, 2016, para. 1) Also the Life Sciences & Health sector in China is the fastest growing healthcare market in the world. (Health Counselor at the Embassy of the Netherlands, 2013, p. 5) The export of Life Sciences & Health companies to China has grown with 160% between 2011 and 2015. If this growth number is compared with the growth numbers of the economic mass, which were lower, it indicates that the economic distance between The Netherlands and China in the field of Life Sciences & Health is reduced, based on the gravity model. What also indicates a positive effect is the fact that the export of the Life Sciences & Health sector to China has increased while the total export of the Life Sciences & Health has decreased with 24%. (Statline, 2016, para. 1)
Based on the meso-level analysis the economic diplomacy goals of the Topsector policy are achieved. Especially the reform of the diplomatic network was successful. For the Life Sciences & Health sector a Health Counsellor is available for Dutch businesses and can give specific market information. (Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn & Sport, 2011, p. 1) Also the diplomatic network is expanded with one Consulate in Chongqing, economically an important region, and two Trade Representations. (Royal Netherlands Embassy, 2016, para. 1) The goal of the economic diplomacy within the Topsector policy was to organise more trade missions headed by a Minister of high government official. (Ministerie van Economische Zaken, Landbouw & Innovatie, 2011, p. 5) Over the years many trade missions in the field of Life Sciences & Health were organised.