
Cross-Border Collaboration: Erwin Hoogeland from the Province of Overijssel Visits Münster
On January 24, 2025, the city of Münster hosted a special visit: Erwin Hoogeland from the Dutch Province of Overijssel visited the IHK Nord Westfalen, the University Hospital Münster, and the Westfalen AG to strengthen exchanges between Germany and the Netherlands and discuss important future topics.
Presentation of the TECH.LAND Program at the IHK Nord Westfalen
The day began with a visit to the IHK Nord Westfalen, where Mr. Hoogeland was introduced to the TECH.LAND Program, an initiative promoting collaboration between Germany and the Netherlands in the fields of Advanced Manufacturing, Circular Economy, and Battery Research.
The IHK team and the TECH.LAND program representatives emphasized the importance of close cooperation to drive innovation and enhance the competitiveness of both regions. The discussions focused on concrete projects and opportunities to make better use of the synergies between the two neighboring countries. The strong industrial base in both regions provides an ideal foundation for implementing such cross-border initiatives.
Innovation and Hydrogen: Visit to Westfalen AG
Next on the agenda was a visit to the Westfalen AG, where the focus was on the company’s current developments—both in Germany and the Netherlands.
Ms. Scheffler and Nicolas Dr. Dohn presented the company’s progress, particularly in the area of hydrogen technology, which plays a crucial role in the energy transition. The exchange about the challenges and potentials of using hydrogen as a sustainable energy source highlighted the importance of innovative solutions and investments in this area to shape a greener future.
Health Promotion and Prevention at the University Hospital Münster
Another program highlight was the visit to the University Hospital Münster, where the focus was on prevention in healthcare. Prevention is not only essential for regional healthcare but also offers numerous opportunities for cross-border collaboration. Sharing best practices and scientific findings between the Netherlands and Germany can help establish new standards in prevention.
Political Exchange and Additional Meetings
In addition, discussions were held with Regional President Andreas Bothe, IHK Managing Director Fritz Jaeckel, and representatives of the City of Münster. These meetings provided an ideal platform to further deepen political and economic cooperation and to develop strategic approaches for joint projects.
A Day Full of Inspiration and Future Perspectives
The visit of Erwin Hoogeland impressively demonstrated the value of the German-Dutch partnership. Topics such as sustainability, industrial innovation, and health prevention represented the close and forward-looking collaboration. Such encounters are an important step in tackling shared challenges and learning from one another.
We look forward to more exciting projects and the continued exchange between our regions!