The Netherlands

Nation of Traders

The Netherlands is the gateway to the European Union: goods flow in large quantities into Europe through the harbor of Rotterdam and Schiphol airport and many international companies have their headquarters in the Netherlands. Thanks to the open and international oriented trade culture foreign companies can do business with ease in and through the Netherlands.

The Dutch economy has fully recovered from the credit crisis with strong growth of the GDP, decreasing unemployment and increasing exports. Although the focus of Dutch economic activities is in Europe, Dutch companies and authorities do not hesitate to do business with more distant countries, like China, the United Arab Emirates or Iran.

Dutch politics are characterized by cooperation and foreign trade. Because the Netherlands has no dominant political party, the parties form coalitions in order to govern. The Dutch government also actively supports foreign trade with, among others, the Middle East and North Africa and the establishment of subsidiaries and headquarters of foreign companies in the Netherlands.

More information about promising sectors in the Netherlands and our business services can be found in our sector overview and services overview.

Data Population (WB database '17 ('16 Education)), Economy (IMF database '17, WB database '17, XE.com '19, Ease of Doing Business '18, Global Competitiveness Report '18), Investment (World Investment Report '18), International (IMF database '18)

Photo: Esther Seijmonsbergen