Get to Know Us
The International trade and Investment Agency (ITIA) has a diverse team from a wide array of backgrounds, coming from various disciplines, with proficiencies in multiple languages.
With this versatile and diverse expertise ITIA is equipped to navigate the complexities of international outreach and provide tailored solutions across a wide range of sectors and geographies worldwide.
About.
The International Trade & Investment Agency (ITIA) is a provider of international outreach services, dedicated to helping companies and government agencies expand their reach within new countries within primarily Western Europe. Our services include business matchmaking, FDI lead generation, trade missions, market research, and cross-border investment facilitation across diverse industries. With a intercultural background, multilingual team, worldwide partners, associate offices, and close to 10 years of experience in internationalisation, we offer tailored development solutions designed to meet your specific needs in the international marketplace.
Your specialist in international endeavours
Our Global Presence
North America
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New York
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Chicago
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Toronto
Europe
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The Hague
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Amsterdam
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Brussels
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Ghent
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Paris
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Lille
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Marseille
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Bern
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Madrid
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Milan
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Berlin
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Warsaw
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Manchester
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​London
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Stockholm
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Helsinki
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Denmark
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Norway
Asia
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Shanghai
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Tokyo
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Seoul
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Hong Kong
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Taipei
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​Ho Chi Minh City
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Phnom Penh
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Singapore
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Bangkok
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Jakarta
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Kuala Lumpur
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New Delhi
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Astana
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Tashkent
Strategic Advisory Board
ITIA’s Strategic Advisory Board is composed of accomplished professionals with extensive experience in corporate strategy, operational leadership, market expansion, and organizational transformation. Their expertise spans multiple industries and global markets, providing ITIA with invaluable insights to help businesses navigate complex challenges and drive sustainable growth.
The Advisory Board plays a key role in offering strategic guidance on cross-border partnerships, corporate restructuring, service optimization, and international operations. Their deep understanding of global business dynamics, supply chains, and market entry strategies ensures ITIA delivers high-value solutions to organizations looking to expand, optimize, or reposition themselves in international markets.
Strategic Advisor
Rob Daamen
Rob Daamen is a highly experienced business consultant specializing in strategy development, business transformation, and stakeholder value creation. Fluent in Dutch and English, he integrates expertise in corporate operations, commerce, IT, and technology to drive business performance and strengthen competitive positioning.
With a strong track record in quickly identifying core business drivers, Rob has successfully led change management programs across front and back-office operations, commercial functions, and IT/information management. His expertise spans contract management, proposal processes, and aligning business strategies with IT solutions to improve efficiency and innovation.
Bringing over 25 years of senior management and executive experience in FMCG, chemical-automotive, and ICT industries, Rob has a deep understanding of complex business environments. His ability to bridge technology and business development enables organizations to adapt, scale, and optimize their operations in competitive markets.
Leveraging his strategic expertise and industry knowledge, Rob supports ITIA in delivering tailored business development insights and transformation strategies, helping organizations navigate international expansion and optimize their market approach.
Strategic Advisor
Serene Goh
Serene Goh is a seasoned executive specializing in customer contact management, business process improvement, and client service optimization. Fluent in English and Mandarin, with a solid command of Dutch, she excels in enhancing operational efficiency and customer satisfaction across global markets.
With over two decades of leadership experience, Serene has led large-scale customer service programs, business transformation initiatives, and high-performing teams across EMEA. She has a strong track record in contract management, service delivery, and optimizing call center operations to exceed performance benchmarks. Her expertise spans customer engagement, workload prioritization, and escalations management, driving operational excellence.
Serene’s ability to blend data-driven decision-making with a people-focused approach consistently improves customer experience outcomes. Her deep understanding of global service standards and leadership in complex, multi-regional projects make her a trusted expert in optimizing customer-facing operations.
Leveraging her expertise in service delivery and business process improvement, Serene supports ITIA in enhancing client outreach strategies and operational efficiency, helping businesses navigate international expansion with a focus on customer experience and service excellence.
Strategic Advisor
Marcel Guinchard
Marcel Guinchard is a seasoned executive with expertise in business transformation, strategic leadership, and operational excellence. Fluent in French, English, Dutch, and Spanish, he has led major organizations and international projects across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas.
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He has held CEO and senior executive roles in multinational firms, overseeing billion-euro P&Ls and managing cross-functional teams. His expertise spans outsourcing, corporate strategy, turnaround management, and the food and service industries, optimizing operations and leading large-scale restructuring to improve efficiency and profitability.
With deep knowledge of global business dynamics and first-hand experience in multiple markets, Marcel identifies growth opportunities and navigates regulatory and operational challenges. Having worked extensively abroad, he offers valuable insights into trade flows, supply chains, and investment climates, making him a trusted advisor for international expansion.
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Leveraging his global expertise, Marcel supports ITIA in cross-border business matchmaking and regional investment attraction, helping organizations connect with the right partners and implement strategies for long-term international success.
Strategic Advisor
Margarita Hoyos
Margarita Maria Hoyos Arismendi is a seasoned senior executive with deep expertise in international commerce, strategic business development, and operational leadership. Fluent in Spanish and experienced in multicultural environments, she has led complex projects and high-impact initiatives across Latin America and Europe, building and managing strategic B2B alliances that drive organizational growth.​
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Margarita brings a hands-on approach to structuring and executing commercial strategies, having spearheaded market expansion initiatives, service redesigns, and supply chain optimizations. Her leadership has consistently delivered results, including increased EBITDA, improved operational KPIs, expanded market share, and elevated client retention rates.
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With a sharp understanding of international trade dynamics, logistics, and regional development, she helps organizations identify new revenue opportunities and overcome regulatory and market-entry challenges. Her experience in negotiating across borders and building sustainable commercial platforms makes her a trusted advisor for companies looking to scale internationally.
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Leveraging her global perspective and strategic insight, Margarita supports ITIA in cross-border business matchmaking and investment attraction, enabling organizations to connect with the right partners and execute sustainable strategies for long-term international success.
Our Team
Maxime Guinchard
Managing Director
Maxime Guinchard is a skilled international trade and investment professional with extensive experience working with government agencies, Chambers of Commerce, public-private entities, and private businesses, among others. Fluent in Dutch, French, and English, with basic-intermediate proficiency in German, Spanish, and Mandarin, Maxime’s linguistic capabilities enhance his ability to connect across cultures.
Having lived and worked in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, the US, and China, his global perspective and academic foundation in International Business and Global Affairs equip him to deliver expert insights on market worldwide. Maxime finds fulfillment in enabling organizations to achieve their global ambitions. That is, whether by providing hard-to-find market insights across borders, bridging linguistic and business-cultural gaps to support companies' client search in new markets, or adding value by generating foreign investment flows from one region to another.
Marit Scharffenorth
Senior Consultant
Marit Scharffenorth is an international trade and business development specialist with over 25 years of experience helping companies expand into European markets. Fluent in Dutch, German, and English, she excels at bridging cultural and commercial gaps to drive cross-border growth.
Marit has advised clients from North America, Europe, and Asia—delivering market entry strategies, export support, and business matchmaking across sectors such as GreenTech, cybersecurity, healthcare, and advanced tech. Throughout her career, she led projects for organizations like the Atlantic Canada Chamber of Commerce, Born2Global Korea, and JETRO, guiding companies from the U.S. and Canada as they entered key European markets.
With a background that includes over a decade at the Israel Trade Mission in the Netherlands, Marit brings both regional expertise and global perspective—helping North American firms navigate European business environments and build lasting international partnerships.
Sarah Marquis
Head of International Projects
Sarah Marquis is a dedicated international cooperation and partnerships specialist, adept at mobilizing networks, managing stakeholder relations, and overseeing project coordination in multicultural settings. Based in the Netherlands, she brings both passion and precision to the design and execution of development and institutional initiatives.
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Sarah’s educational and professional journey has been centered on international affairs, capacity building, and diplomacy. She has experience working with institutions across Europe and beyond, focusing on forging alliances, facilitating programmatic alignment, and ensuring coherent communication across partners.
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Sarah is fluent in English and French, with strong intercultural communication skills. She thrives in roles where engagement, negotiation, and strategic planning come together to forge impact. Her collaborative mindset, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence help translate stakeholder visions into tangible, sustainable outcomes.
Laurent Battistelli
International Expansion, Trade, & Investment Advisor
Laurent Battistelli is an international trade, investment and economic development professional with nearly ten years of experience supporting companies, public institutions and territories in their international growth. Based at ITIA’s Paris office, he specialises in international business development, investment attraction, strategic partnerships and cross-border cooperation, with a focus on Southern and Western Europe.
Laurent has worked with Business France, economic development organisations in Southern Europe, European institutions and technology companies across multiple international markets. His experience includes identifying and engaging prospective investors, supporting market-entry and expansion projects, developing international partnerships, and producing market intelligence.
A native French speaker, Laurent is fluent in English and Italian, has professional working proficiency in German and limited working proficiency in Russian. His multilingual and cross-cultural background enables him to engage decision-makers, build qualified international networks and connect companies and territories with relevant commercial and institutional opportunities.
Vlad Turko
FDI Consultant
Uladzimir (Vlad) Turko is an international trade and investment professional focused on helping regions and organizations drive growth through tailored investment attraction and market research. Based in The Hague, he supports European and North American clients to attract investment into their region and internationally ambitious SMEs with their expansion throughout Europe.
Vlad’s academic and professional journey is rooted in international relations and diplomacy. He holds an MSc in International Relations and Diplomacy from Leiden University and a BA in International Relations and Area Studies from Jagiellonian University. Fluent in English and several Eastern European languages, including Polish and Belarusian, Vlad also has a basic command of Dutch.
He combines strong analytical skills with a hands-on, client-focused approach, and is particularly valued for customizing extensive investment attraction strategies to the needs, strengths, and sector priorities of European regions. His collaborative mindset and attention to detail support long-term partnerships and international expansion outcomes.
Maryam Barjesteh
International Project Manager - FDI
Maryam Barjesteh is an International Project Manager specialising in international trade, investment attraction, market entry, and cross-border business development. At ITIA, she supports FDI lead generation projects by researching target markets, identifying relevant companies and stakeholders, and contributing to outreach and engagement activities for public-sector and regional economic-development clients.
She has particular experience in organising economic trade missions, international pavilions, delegation programmes, and business matchmaking activities. Her work includes stakeholder research, partner outreach, client coordination, and the preparation of strategic project materials designed to connect companies with relevant commercial and institutional partners across international markets.
She holds a BA (Honours) in International Studies from Leiden University, graduating cum laude with a regional focus on the Middle East and North Africa. Fluent in English, with working proficiency in Arabic and Persian, she brings strong cross-cultural communication skills and a structured, detail-oriented approach to international projects.
Ryan Cécina
International Project Manager - FDI
Ryan Cecina is an International Project Manager specialising in investment attraction, intra-European business development, and cross-border economic cooperation. At ITIA, he supports international trade and investment projects by identifying relevant companies and investors, assessing market opportunities, and engaging decision-makers across European markets.
He has particular expertise in lead generation, stakeholder outreach, and the development of qualified investment pipelines. Ryan is also highly skilled in organising incoming business missions, coordinating international delegations, and facilitating B2B and government-to-business matchmaking between companies, investors, public authorities, and regional economic-development partners.
His work combines market research, commercial intelligence, and direct engagement with public- and private-sector stakeholders. Fluent in French and English, with working proficiency in German and Portuguese, Ryan brings a structured, analytical, and internationally oriented approach to projects supporting business expansion, investment, and partnership development across Europe
Aline Teixeira​
International Project Manager - FDI / Trade
Aline Teixeira supports ITIA’s international investment and trade activities, with a particular focus on investment attraction, market research and business intelligence. Her work includes identifying prospective investors, analysing companies and markets, and developing strategic insights that support international business development and cross-border growth projects.
Aline has a strongly international background, having gained professional experience in France and Switzerland before moving to the Netherlands. She also completed a postgraduate programme in Data Science and Business Analytics through the University of Texas at Austin, strengthening her ability to combine qualitative market research with data-driven analysis.
Aline is a native speaker of French and Portuguese, fluent in English and has intermediate proficiency in Spanish. Her multilingual background, international experience and analytical approach allow her to work effectively across different markets, cultures and business environments.
Chris Leeuwis
International Project Manager - FDI/Trade
Christophe Leeuwis is an International Project Manager specialising in FDI lead generation, intra-European investment attraction, and cross-border business development for public-sector clients. At ITIA, he identifies and qualifies companies with realistic expansion potential, analyses their investment drivers, and develops targeted outreach campaigns for European regions and investment-promotion agencies.
He has particular expertise in building sector-specific prospect pipelines, researching corporate expansion signals, identifying relevant decision-makers, and translating regional value propositions into credible company-level outreach. Christophe also supports follow-up engagement, business matchmaking, and the preparation of investor meetings between companies, public authorities, and regional economic-development partners.
His background in international relations, economics, diplomacy, and private-sector business development gives him a strong understanding of both investor priorities and government objectives. Fluent in English, with working proficiency in French and Dutch, Christophe brings a structured, analytical approach to FDI projects focused on generating qualified leads and converting market intelligence into concrete investment opportunities across Europe.
OPEN VACANCY
Trade & Investment Consultant - DACH countries
Join our team as a Trade & Investment Consultant for the DACH countries!
This role involves attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) into the DACH region while also sourcing investment opportunities for DACH businesses globally. I
f you have a passion for international trade and a for building relationships, we want to hear from you! Apply now to be part of our dynamic team.
Please send an email to info@itiaglobal.com with your CV and motivation letter if interested
OPEN VACANCY ​
Intern - International Trade (English native)
This seat is open for a highly motivated English-speaking andidate with full-time availbility.
This role supports our FDI lead generation and client acquisition work primairly, as well as some adminitartive work around incoming and outbound trade missions, and market research for clients expanding across Western Europe. This is an unpaid internship.
Interested? Please send an email to info@itiaglobal.com
OPEN VACANCY ​
Intern - International Trade (Dutch /or French Native)
This seat is open for a Dutch and/or French candidate
We’re growing our team in the Netherlands. This role supports our work in FDI lead generation, trade missions, and market research for international clients.
You’ll help identify opportunities, build relationships with companies and public agencies, and coordinate projects with our multilingual, globally distributed team.
Interested? Please send an email to info@itiaglobal.com