Cross-Border Exchange at Drilandsee: Dutch-German Cooperation for a Stronger Economic Future
On May 8, 2025, regional economic development agencies from across the Dutch-German border region gathered at Drilandsee in Gronau to exchange ideas, strengthen ties, and explore new impulses for economic development in the Euregio.
The meeting was initiated by the Economic Development Agency for the District of Borken (WFG Borken), a long-standing advocate of cross-border cooperation. The event was supported by the Interreg Germany-Netherlands programme and its partners, and co-financed by the European Union.
As part of the gathering, Christoph Almering, Managing Director of the Euregio, provided insights into the latest developments in the region. His presentation highlighted new Interreg-funded projects and current economic policy initiatives at the European level. Almering emphasized the strategic importance of cross-border collaboration as a driver of sustainable economic growth for the region.
Visit SGW
A key highlight of the programme was a visit to the Salzgewinnungsgesellschaft Westfalen (SGW) in Gronau-Epe. Beyond traditional salt extraction, the company is actively contributing to the region’s energy infrastructure by offering underground storage facilities for natural gas and oil, with plans to accommodate hydrogen storage in the future—a crucial topic for the energy transition on both sides of the border.
Participants expressed their appreciation for the SGW’s innovative activities and stressed the importance of addressing infrastructure and energy issues in an integrated, cross-border manner. The exchange at Drilandsee not only fostered valuable networking but also laid the groundwork for future collaboration between economic stakeholders in the Euregio.
Cross-Border Meeting of Economic Development Agencies
This exchange is part of the project “Cross-Border Meeting of Economic Development Agencies”, made possible by the Interreg Germany-Netherlands programme and its partners, and co-funded by the European Union.
TECH.LAND proudly supports and participates in this annual cross-border innovation event, together with our partners from the Eastern Netherlands (Oost NL), Niedersachsen (Wirtschaftsförderung – Stadt Lingen (Ems), Landkreis Grafschaft Bentheim, Stadt Osnabrück, WIGOS Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft Osnabrücker Land mbH), the Emscher-Lippe region (WiN Emscher-Lippe Gesellschaft zur Strukturverbesserung mbH), and Münsterland (Münsterland e.V. – Münster, Steinfurt, Coesfeld, Warendorf, Borken). By connecting key stakeholders and encouraging knowledge exchange, TECH.LAND aims to accelerate cross-border innovation and contribute to a thriving, sustainable economic region.