The Netherlands is also hoping to stand a chance at online giant Alibaba's European distribution centre. In August, Prime Minister Mark Rutte received a delegation from the Chinese trading platform at the Torentje.
The Financieele Dagblad reports. Alibaba is betting on growth and wants to open six distribution centres worldwide to do so, including one in Europe. In July, it seemed as if the trading platform had already chosen Liège as its European location. Belgian newspaper De Tijd stated that talks between Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel and top executive Jack Ma were at an "advanced stage".
Weert and Maastricht-Aachen airport in the race
It now appears that Mark Rutte received a delegation from the company in August. Jack Ma was also reportedly present at this. The municipality of Weert and Maastricht-Aachen airport are in the race for Alibaba's logistics centre. In Weert, Alibaba could move into a warehouse of up to 88,000 square metres. South Limburg would have room for a mega distribution centre.
Space in the Netherlands limited
Belgium has plenty of room for Alibaba's new location. There, it can build a distribution centre of up to 380,000 square metres. In the Netherlands, that space is limited. The largest distribution centre currently under construction in the Netherlands belongs to fashion group Inditex and has an area of 155,000 square metres.
Liege 'still in negotiations
A spokesman for Liège Airport told the FD that it is still in negotiations with Alibaba. He expects talks with the company to be completed by the end of October.
