The Dutch East India Company (VOC) began its empire and secure its monopoly on the spice trade with the founding colony at the Moluccas. The Dutch East India Company established in 1602. The Dutch wrest the monopoly of the spice trade from the Portuguese by establishing their colonies in Indonesia. The 16th century saw the long-distance trade with Asia, which resulted in the shift of the economic centre of Europe from the Mediterranean cities to the Atlantic coast of north and west of Europe. Colonies not only transformed the structure of trade but also introduced products in European markets like spices, tea, etc.
