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Holland Compared
Facts and Figures, 2nd edition 2016
Source: Rijkswaterstaat
2
GRONINGEN
Groningen
Leeuwarden
FRIESLAND
Assen
DRENTHE
NOORDHOLLAND
NORTH SEA
Zwolle
Lelystad
Head of State
Capital
Seat of government
Administrative structure
FLEVOLAND
Haarlem
OVERIJSSEL
Amsterdam
's-Gravenhage (The Hague)
GELDERLAND
Utrecht
ZUIDHOLLAND
UTRECHT
Surface area
Location
Arnhem
Rotterdam
GERMANY
's-Hertogenbosch
Middelburg
Official name
Form of government
Breda
NOORD-BRABANT
ZEELAND
Eindhoven
Number of inhabitants
Number of inhabitants per km2
Monetary unit
Languages
Kingdom of the Netherlands
Constitutional monarchy,
parliamentary democracy
His Majesty King Willem-Alexander, King of
the Netherlands, Prince of Orange-Nassau
Amsterdam
The Hague
Twelve provinces and the overseas
territories of Aruba, Curacao and
St. Martin. The overseas islands of Bonaire,
Saba and St. Eustatius, all three of which
are situated in the Caribbean, are ‘special
municipalities of the Netherlands’
33,800 km2
Western Europe, by the North Sea,
bordering Belgium and Germany
17,008,695 (May, 2016)
503 (May, 2016)
Euro
Dutch, Frisian
LIMBURG
BELGIUM
Maastricht
UK
GERMANY
BELGIUM
FRANCE
2
3
Content
Page
Foreword
6
1.
General Information
8
2.
Macro Indicators
14
3.
Trade and Foreign Investment
24
4.
Holland Digital Gateway
38
5.
Top Sectors in Focus
48
6.
Human Capital and Innovation
70
7.
Infrastructure
84
8.
Government
90
Check in iris scan / Schiphol
Source: Netherlands Enterprise Agency
4
5
Foreword
Often referred to as
Holland, the
Netherlands has for
centuries had one of
the world’s most
open economies. The
Dutch engage in all
forms of business all
around the globe.
There are few nations in the world that can link their economic and social
development and success so clearly and distinctly to their physical
environment as the Netherlands. Located in a low-lying delta at the
confluence of three major rivers, the Dutch were faced with a challenging
and risk-laden environment in which to settle and develop what would
become one of Europe’s strongest economies.
The Netherlands has recently risen from 8th to 5th place in the Global
Competitiveness Report 2015–2016, published by the World Economic
Forum. As the world’s fifth-largest exporter, second-largest exporter of
agri-food products and eighth-largest foreign investor, the Netherlands
occupies a prominent position when it comes to world trade.
6
The Netherlands has long had an open economy and 33% of our income
is derived from trade. Europe is by far our most significant trading
partner – more than three-quarters of the products and services we
export are destined for Europe.
Many of our products and services are driven by innovation and by
co-creation. The Dutch embrace the strong benefits of a triple helix
approach, sharing knowledge and expertise between government,
business and knowledge institutions. Working in multidisciplinary
partnerships, produces optimum solutions.
From developing cutting-edge, high tech solutions in labs and clean
rooms; to ‘Working with Nature’ to optimize water management; and
to supporting bright young talents to realize their startups here –
The Netherlands is focused on fostering sustainable economic growth.
At home and abroad, the Dutch welcome the opportunity to meet and
work with new business partners. By way of introduction, we are pleased
to present the Netherlands through this newest edition of ‘Holland
Compared’.
Best regards,
Secretary-General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Renée Jones-Bos
As of 1 July, Joke Brandt will succeed Renée Jones-Bos as the Secretary
General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
7
1. Holland:
A Sustainable
Urban Delta
As a country within a low-lying delta, The
Netherlands has been faced with the
enormous might of the sea from the outset.
The age-old relationship with water has
shaped the Dutch DNA. The typical Dutch
approach is characterised by collaboration,
cross-fertilization, and creativity. The Dutch
are known for their pragmatic and integrated
solutions. By working with nature, the Dutch
have succeeded in creating sustainable
solutions for the growth of their economy.
Solutions that not only focus on practical
issues such as urban planning, clean energy,
drinking water, air quality, and waste
management, but also on issues such as
governance, tolerance and a fair society.
Source: Netherlands Enterprise Agency
9
Brake on
population growth
Attractive
place to live
Population by age (2015)
Quality of life (2015)
9,0 9,2 9,4 9,6 9,8 10
9,1 9,3 9,5 9,7 9,9
5
5
4
4
1
1
33
22
1.1.0-19
0-1922.7%
22.7% 2.2.20-39
20-3924.5%
24.5% 3.
3.40-64
40-64 35.1%
35.1%
4. 65-79 13.4%
13.4% 5.
5. Older
Olderthan
than79
794.3%
4.3%
Source: Statistics Netherlands 2016.
In total 17.0 million people live on the relatively small piece of land that
is the Netherlands, which makes the country one of the most densely
populated in the world. However, population growth is slowing down in
the Netherlands, as it is in many other Western countries. This slowdown,
together with an increasingly healthy generation aged 65 and above,
has resulted in an ageing population.
10 GENERAL INFORMATION
9.73
Switzerland
Austria
9.57
Norway
9.51
New Zealand
9.38
Canada
9.36
Denmark
9.31
Australia
9.25
Netherlands
9.24
Germany
9.21
Sweden
9.17
Source: IMD, 2016.
7,5
8,0
8,5
9,0
Whether visiting for7business
or pleasure,
the
Netherlands
is 9,5
home to10a
highly pleasant living environment. It currently ranks eighth worldwide in
terms of quality of life. Leisure amenities are within easy reach and Dutch
cities have much to offer, such as the centuries-old architecture of
Amsterdam, Delft, Groningen and Leiden as well as cultural activities and
world-famous museums such as the Van Gogh Museum and the Hermitage
Amsterdam. Housing is also fairly affordable compared to other countries,
according to IMD. In addition to the various international schools in the
Netherlands, a large and growing number of schools (130 in 2015) teach in
two languages (mostly Dutch and English). Finally, the Dutch healthcare
system officially ranks among the world’s best. According to the Commonwealth Fund, the Dutch healthcare system is the best in the world in terms
of quality, access, efficiency, funding and the healthy lives, on average, of
the general population.
GENERAL INFORMATION 11
One of the most
competitive economies
Global Competitiveness Index (2015-2016)
Switzerland
5.76
Singapore
5.68
United States
5.61
Germany
5.53
Netherlands
5.5
Japan
5.47
Hong Kong, China
5.46
Finland
5.45
Sweden
5.43
United Kingdom
5.43
Source: World Economic Forum, 2015.
5,2
5,3
5,4
,45
5,5
,55
5,6
,65
5,7
,75
5,8
According to a number of international league tables published by
renowned institutes such as IMD and the World Economic Forum, the
Netherlands is among the world leaders when it comes to favourable
business climate. There are numerous factors that form the basis for the
favourable position that the Netherlands enjoys, including its open and
international outlook, its strategic location in Europe, its well-educated,
multilingual and flexible workforce, and the high level of labour productivity. The competitive fiscal climate, top-level physical and technological
infrastructure and quality of life are key contributors to the country’s
success. The Netherlands is thus an attractive location for companies
seeking a European base and for those wishing to invest.
Source: DSM N.V.
12 GENERAL INFORMATION
2. Macro Indicators
The impact of the downturn in world trade
as a result of the global economic crisis was
immediately tangible in the Netherlands with
its buoyant and open economy. However, the
Netherlands continues to perform well on
many fronts. For example, the Netherlands
has one of the highest incomes per capita in
the EU, Rotterdam is still Europe’s largest
port and the Netherland’s high-quality ICT
infrastructure ensures that the country
remains the gateway to Europe.
Source: Hannah Anthonysz/Rotterdam Image Bank
15
Sixth-largest
EU economy
High average
income
GDP in the EU (2015)
GDP per capita (2014)
3,025,900
Germany
United Kingdom
1,636,372
Spain
1,081,190
Netherlands
444,235
Poland
427,737
Belgium
409,407
Austria
Millions of euros. Source: Eurostat, 2016.
500.000
1.000.000
1.500.000
2.000.000
2.500.000
Netherlands
47,634.8
46,171.4
Sweden
45,152.5
Germany
44,985.5
Denmark
44,889.1
36,236.9
US dollars, corrected for Purchasing Power Parity. Source: OECD, 2015.
3.000.000
In terms of surface area and population size, the Netherlands is not a
particularly large country and ranks 134th and 65th worldwide. In stark
contrast, the country’s economic performance ranks much higher. The
size of the economy, or the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), is 679 billion
Euros in 2015. The Netherlands has the seventeenth-largest economy in
the world and the sixth-largest in the European Union.
16 MACRO INDICATORS
47,795.8
EU-28
337,162
0
Ireland
Austria
678,572
Sweden
54,639.9
United States
2,183,631
Italy
57,246.3
Switzerland
2,568,941
France
98,328.5
Luxembourg
The Netherlands is one of the wealthiest nations in the European Union.
The Dutch GDP per person employed is 47,146 US dollars (figure 2015, The
Conference Board, 2015), in Luxembourg 50,499 US dollars and 42,123 in
Germany. Compared with other, similar economies outside the European
Union, such as that of Canada (50,488 US dollars), the Netherlands also
performs as well. The high average income of the Dutch is the result of
high labour productivity and a high level of labour participation.
MACRO INDICATORS 17
High productivity
per hour
Prosperous, sustainable
and enterprising
GDP per hour, corrected for purchasing power parity (2015)
Growth in GDP in % (2007-2015)
Belgium
67
Switzerland
United States
67
Sweden
Netherlands
65
United States
Ireland
65
Germany
Germany
64
United Kingdom
France
64
Belgium
Denmark
63
Austria
Switzerland
61
Netherlands
Sweden
60
Euro area
Austria
30
35
40
45
50
1.3
1.2
1.1
1.0
0,9
0.7
0.4
-0.1
Source: OECD, 2016.
55
60
65
70
75
The working population in the Netherlands is highly educated, employees
have an international outlook, and many speak more than one foreign
language. This high level of education and the strong economic structure
(enabled by the physical and the knowledge infrastructure, for example)
allow employees to be productive. Labour productivity per hour is among
the highest in the world. It is noteworthy that the Netherlands has
combined this high level of productivity with a high level of labour
participation, also among semi-skilled and unskilled workers.
18 MACRO INDICATORS
1.4
Denmark
56
US dollars.
Source: The Conference Board, 2015.
1.6
0
0,5
1,0
1.5
2.0
Compared to many other EU Member States, the Netherlands has a highly
open economy, which is why the country was hit hard by the sharp
downturn in world trade in 2008 and 2009. When considered over a longer
period of time, the Netherlands shows reasonable economic growth
compared to other prosperous EU Member States and the US. This is a
good performance for a highly developed economy with a high standard of
living (see also GDP per capita). The structural reforms that have been
implemented in areas such as the labour market and the social security
system, have created conditions for potentially healthy economic growth
that offers room for investments in knowledge and innovation, for
example, so that the Netherlands will remain a prosperous, sustainable
and enterprising nation.
MACRO INDICATORS 19
Moderate
inflation
High labour
participation rate
Average annual inflation (2007-2015)
Employment rates (2014)
Switzerland
Euro area
0.0
1.5
75.879.7
Switzerland
1.31.6
74.9
75.7
Sweden
Germany
1.7
1.3
Germany
Netherlands
1.3
Netherlands
71.6
73.9
Denmark
73.6
70.6
Austria
72.6
70.4
Luxembourg
Belgium
1.6
United States
1.6
Denmark
Austria
United Kingdom
2.1
1.5
2.2
1.8
74.0
72.2
72.0
68.4
United Kingdom
2.3
Finland
68.7
67.6
2.0
United States
.
68,5
67.5
2.5
2.6
Average annual price increases as a percentage. Source: OECD, 2016.
66.3
65.7
OECD-countries
Source: OECD, 2015. 0
The Netherlands enjoys a good reputation in monetary terms. Long before
the introduction of the euro, price rises in the Netherlands were at a
moderate level, thanks to sound monetary policies on the part of DNB
(the Dutch Central Bank). The product and labour markets also operate
relatively well, which helps to moderate price increases. According to the
IMD (2016), the Netherlands ranks fifth worldwide in the fight against
unfair competition.
20 MACRO INDICATORS
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
75,8
In the period 1990-2015, the level of employment in the Netherlands has
increased by 35% (in persons, 23% in labour years). The strong growth in
jobs is largely due to the structural economic reforms that have been
implemented. The relative stability of the labour market - there are
relatively few strikes in the Netherlands - can also be attributed to
maintaining a favourable business climate. Thanks to the firm growth in
employment, a large proportion of the potential working population is
employed. Indeed, the proportion is considerably greater than the average
of the OECD- and Euro–area countries (member states of the EU that use
the Euro as their currency).
MACRO INDICATORS 21
Many part-time
employees
Relatively low
unemployment
Part-time work (2013)
Average unemployment (2007-2015)
39.9
Netherlands
25.4
Switzerland
19.8
United Kingdom
Belgium
19.8
United States
Austria
19.3
Sweden
6.3 6.9
7.2
7.1
7.67.8
7.9 8.3
Belgium
14.5
8.4
Euro area
14.3
France
5.96.3
Germany
Denmark
Luxembourg
5.5 6.2
Denmark
22.8
Germany
Measured as a percentage of employment as a whole.
Source: OECD, 2015.
0
5
10
15
20
25
10.0
Measured as a percentage of the working population. Source: OECD, 2016.
30
35
37,1
A relatively high proportion of Dutch people work part-time. This is often
a deliberate decision, allowing employees to combine work with caring for
their family. From an international perspective, the number of people - and
particularly women - in the Netherlands who work part-time is high: nearly
75% of all Dutch part-time workers are women. Nevertheless, the average
working week for full-time employees is more or less on a par with most
other Eurozone countries. The same applies to the number of hours
worked in a year by full-time employees.
22 MACRO INDICATORS
5.1
5.5
Netherlands
23.9
United Kingdom
4.1
4.3
Austria
25.1
Ireland
3.8
Switzerland
0
2
4
6
8
The rate of unemployment in the Netherlands is one of the lowest in
Europe. From 2007 to 2015, an average of 5.5% of the potential working
population was unemployed, while the corresponding rate in the euro
countries was 10.0%. As a result of the crisis the unemployment in the
Netherlands increased. In March 2016 it amounted to 6.4% (Eurostat,
2016), compared to an average of 10.2% in the euro countries. Moreover,
youth unemployment is also still low in the Netherlands. In March 2016,
the portion of Holland’s potential working population aged under-25 that
was unemployed amounted to 11.4%. In the euro countries, the average
was 21.2%.
MACRO INDICATORS 23
3. Trade and
Foreign Investment
The Netherlands plays a prominent role in the
world economy due to its exports, imports,
attracting foreign investors, and investments
abroad. Its favourable location in relation to the
European hinterland and its world-class
infrastructure – such as the Port of Rotterdam
and Schiphol Airport – have helped the
Netherlands become an important distribution
centre.
Harbour Vlissingen
Source: Netherlands Enterprise Agency
25
Open
economy
World’s fifth-largest
exporter of goods
Dutch exports of goods and services as a proportion of GDP in %
Top 10 exporters of goods (2015)
5
6
10
7
8
15
Millions of US dollars
1975
20
11
12
13
14
25
18
21 23
17 19 20 22 24 25
30
42
16
Share in world exports (%)
2,281,856
United States
1,503,870
9.2
52.3
1985
Germany
62.1
1995
15
14.0
49.8
1980
10
China
44.8
1970
9
8.2
Japan
56.1
2000
70.1
2005
69.6
2015
1,331,194
625,025
3.8
Netherlands
567,700
3.5
81.8
South Korea
526,901
3.2
Measured as a percentage of GDP. Source: CPB, 2016.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
France
506,130
3.1
70 72,6
Hong Kong,
China
498,558
United Kingdom
465,922
Italy
458,751
3.1
2.9
2.8
Source: International Trade Organisation, 2016.
The Netherlands has traditionally always had an open economy and the
level of trade with other countries is very significant. According to
research carried out by the Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy
Analysis, the Netherlands earns some 33% of its income from the export of
goods and services. In 2015, the value of exports was 81.8% of the
Netherlands’ GDP.
26 TRADE AND FOREIGN INVESTMENT
As the fifth-largest exporter of goods in the world, the Netherlands
occupies a prominent position when it comes13
to world trade. In 2015, the
21 23
8
11
16 18
6
Netherlands exported goods5worth
of
almost
668 billion
US
14
19
7 a 9total
12
10
20 22 24 25
15 17
dollars, which is about 3.5% of the world’s total exports. The Netherlands
is also a significant exporter of commercial services - exports of
commercial services amounted to 189 billion US dollars (138 billion
Euros) in 2014, which placed the country sixth in the world rankings.
TRADE AND FOREIGN INVESTMENT 27
Strong in agri-food
production
Major importer of
goods and services
Top 10 importers of goods (2015)
Top 5 exporters of agricultural products (2014)
Millions of US dollars
Share in world imports (%)
United States
182,235
Millions of US dollars
Share in world imports (%)
United States
2,306,822
14.0
10.3
Netherlands
112,061
China
1,681,671
10.2
6.3
Germany
100,777
Germany
1,056,341
6.4
5.7
Brazil
87,890
United Kingdom
629,229
3.8
5.0
France
81,187
Japan
626,083
3.8
4.6
Source: World Trade Organisation, 2015.
France
572,693
3.5
Hong Kong, China
547,568
3.3
Netherlands
506,972
3.1
The Netherlands is the world’s second-largest exporter of agri-food
products. For decades, the Dutch agriculture sector has succeeded in
maintaining its lead over international competitors through continual
investment in innovation in agri-food value chains. The Netherlands is a
hotbed of R&D in the area of agri-food, due largely to the excellent
knowledge infrastructure and close collaborations between knowledge
institutes, government and the private sector, the so-called “golden
triangle”. Key R&D centres include Wageningen University and Research
Centre (WUR), the Top Institute Food & Nutrition and the public-private
innovation program FND+. Some 12 out of the 40 largest Food & Beverage
companies in the world have R&D facilities located in the Netherlands.
WUR is the foremost university in Europe in the field of agriculture, and
second in the world, according to the Higher Education Evaluation &
Accreditation Council of Taiwan.
28 TRADE AND FOREIGN INVESTMENT
South Korea
436,548
Canada
418,801
2.6
2.5
Source: International Trade Organisation, 2016.
As well as being a major exporter, the Netherlands also imports large
quantities of goods: 507 billion-US-dollars-worth in 2015. With a 3.1% share
of the global total, the country is the eight-largest importer of goods in
the world. The Netherlands is also a significant importer of commercial
services - imports of commercial services amounted to 157 billion US
dollars (118 billion Euros) in 2014, which placed the Netherlands seventh
in the world rankings.
TRADE AND FOREIGN INVESTMENT 29
Most significant trading
partner: Western Europe
Geographical destination of Dutch exports (2015)
6 66
4 4
4
5 55
Gateway
to Europe
Geographical origin of Dutch imports (2015)
7
7 77
Total
Centroamérica
y América
del
Sur
Total
Centroamérica
yy América
del
Sur
Total
Centroamérica
América
77
6 66
3 33
2 22
5 55
4 44
3 33
1 11
1. Europe 329.5
1. 1.Europe
Europe
329.5
329.5
2. Africa 14.2
2. 2.Africa
Africa
14.214.2
3. North America 21.2
3. 3.North
North
America
America
21.221.2
4. Middle and
4. 4.Middle
Middle
andand
South America 10.2
South
South
America
America
10.2
10.2
5. Near and Far East 13.4
5. 5.Near
andand
FarFar
EastEast
13.413.4
Near
6. Asia 34.4
6. 6.AsiaAsia
34.434.4
7. Oceania 2.7
7. 7.Oceania
2.7 2.7
Oceania
Values in billions of euros. Source: Statistics Netherlands, 2016.
The role of the Netherlands as a key distribution location is also indicated
by the volume of import and export activities. Almost 79% of Dutch exports
remain within Europe, especially Western Europe. Germany is easily the
Netherlands’ most significant trading partner, followed by Belgium,
the United Kingdom and France.
30 TRADE AND FOREIGN INVESTMENT
2 22
Europe
231.9
1. 1.1.
Europe
231.9
Europe
231.9
2. Africa 11.5
2. 2.
Africa
11.511.5
Africa
3. North America 34.3
3. 3.
North
America
34.334.3
North
America
4. Middle and
4. 4.
Middle
andand
Middle
South America 11.6
South
America
11.611.6
South
America
11 1
Near and Far East 9.8
5.5. 5.
Near
andand
Far Far
EastEast
9.8 9.8
Near
6. Asia 77.5
6. 6.
AsiaAsia
77.577.5
7. Oceania 1.4
7. 7.Oceania
1.4 1.4
Oceania
Values in billions of euros. Source: Statistics Netherlands, 2016.
The Netherlands has become a key hub for distribution in Europe because
of its favourable location in relation to the European hinterland and the
country’s world-class air and sea ports such as the Port of Rotterdam
(Europort) and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. The Netherlands is home
to more distribution centres than anywhere else in Europe and has the
largest inland shipping fleet in Europe.
TRADE AND FOREIGN INVESTMENT 31
Dutch paints add a touch
of colour to the world
Biggest trading partner:
Germany
Composition of Dutch exports (2014)
Composition of Dutch imports (2014)
9 9
9
10 10
10
1 1
99 9
1
10
10 10
11 1
22 2
33 3
2 2
2 3 3
3
8 8
44 4
4 4
8
4
88 8
5 5
5
7 7
7
1. 1.Food
and
livestock
56.4
Food
and
livestock
56.4
1.Beverages
Food andand
livestock
56.4
2. 2.
tobacco
6.16.1
Beverages
and
tobacco
2.Non-edible
Beveragesresources
and
tobacco
6.1
3. 3.
19.8
Non-edible
resources
19.8
3.Mineral
Non-edible
resources
19.8
4. 4.
fuels
and
oilsoils
57.0
Mineral
fuels
and
57.0
4.OilsMineral
fuels
and oilsand
57.0
5. 5.
and
fats
of of
animal
Oils
and
fats
animal and
5.plant
Oilsorigin
and fats
of animal and
3.53.5
plant
origin
plant origin 3.5
Values in billions of euros.
Source: Statistics Netherlands, 2015.
66 6
6 6
6
6. 6.Chemical
products
78.3
Chemical
products
78.3
Chemical
products
78.3
7.6.7. Manufactured
goods
36.9
Manufactured
goods
36.9
Manufactured
goods
36.9
8.7.8.Machinery
and
transportation
Machinery
and
transportation
8. devices
Machinery
and transportation
119.1
devices
119.1
devices
119.1
9. 9.Other
manufactured
Other manufactured
9. goods
Other45.9
manufactured
goods 45.9
goods 45.9
10.10.
Others
2.72.7
Others
10. Others 2.7
The Netherlands is the second-largest exporter of agricultural products
worldwide, after the United States. Horticulture is by far the most
important segment within the agricultural sector. Other significant Dutch
exports include chemical products (e.g. Sikkens paint), machinery (e.g.
ASML lithography systems) and vehicles (DAF trucks and Scania trucks).
The Netherlands is also a well-known exporter of high-quality aerospace
components and systems (Fokker), ships (IHC Merwede), yachts (Royal Van
Lent Shipyard) and busses and car parts (VDL Group).
32 TRADE AND FOREIGN INVESTMENT
55 5
1. Food and livestock 37.2
1. 1.Food
andand
livestock
37.2
Food
livestock
37.2
2. Beverages and tobacco 4.1
2. 2.Beverages
andand
tobacco
4.14.1
Beverages
tobacco
3. Non-edible resources 13.7
3. 3.Non-edible
resources
13.7
Non-edible
resources
13.7
4. Mineral fuels and oils 64.2
4. 4.Mineral
fuels
andand
oilsoils
64.2
Mineral
fuels
64.2
5. Oils and fats of animal
5. 5.OilsOils
andand
fatsfats
of animal
of animal
and plant origin 4.0
andand
plant
origin
4.04.0
plant
origin
7
7 7
6.
6.
7.
7.
8.
8.
Chemical products 53.7
products
53.7
6.Chemical
Chemical
products
53.7
Manufactured goods 36.9
goods
36.9
7.Manufactured
Manufactured
goods
36.9
Machinery and transportation
andand
transportation
8.Machinery
Machinery
transportation
devices 115.6
devices
115.6
devices
115.6
9. Other manufactured goods 47.7
9. 9.Other
manufactured
goods
47.747.7
Other
manufactured
goods
10. Others 1.0
10.10.
Others
1.01.0
Others
Values in billions of euros.
Source: Statistics Netherlands, 2016.
In 2015, 17.2% of all imports into the Netherlands originated in Germany.
Almost half of all products purchased by the Netherlands in Germany were
related to chemical products and machinery. Of all of the cars imported
into the Netherlands, more than 90% came from Europe, particularly
Belgium, France and Germany.
Belgium (9.8% of total imports of goods) and China (9.1%) and were
respectively second and third Dutch import partner.
TRADE AND FOREIGN INVESTMENT 33
Seventh-largest foreign
investor in the world
Main recipients of foreign investment in Europe (2014)
Foreign investors in the world (2014)
6,319
United States
China
(incl. Hong Kong)
Attractive for inward
foreign investments
2,190
1,663
United Kingdom
Germany
744
United Kingdom
1,584
France
729
Germany
1,583
Spain
722
France
1,279
Switzerland
682
664
Japan
1,193
Netherlands
Switzerland
1,131
Belgium
Netherlands
985
Russian Federation
379
Canada
715
Italy
374
Ireland
369
Spain
674
Most important foreign investors in the world, in billions of US dollars. Source: UNCTAD, 2015.
1k
2k
3k
4k
5k
6k
Dutch businesses are truly international in their orientation. Dutch-based multinationals, such as AkzoNobel, Heineken, KPN, ING, Philips, Rabobank, Unilever and Shell
have made substantial foreign investments in the past. The total amount of Dutch
investments in other countries is considerable. In late 2014, investments overseas
totaled in excess of 985 billion US dollars, making the country the eight-largest foreign
investor in the world.
34 TRADE AND FOREIGN INVESTMENT
526
Stocks, in billions of US dollars. Source: UNCTAD, 2015.
200
600
1000
1400
1800
In 2014, foreign companies made inward direct investments worth 664 billion US
dollars or 82.2% of the Netherlands’ GDP. As a result, the Netherlands is the world’s
tenth-largest recipient of foreign investment. Foreign investors provide 15% of Dutch
employment in the private sector (935,310 jobs). It is remarkable that a small country
such as the Netherlands attracts so much foreign investment. In all, more than 6,300
foreign companies have established over 8,110 operations in the Netherlands. Among
the many prominent international companies that have taken advantage of NFIA (the
Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency) services as they located their operations in
the Netherlands, are North American companies like Abbott Laboratories, Boeing,
Bombardier, Cisco Systems, Dow, Eastman Chemical, Heinz, Medtronic, NCR Corporation
and Reebok. They also include European companies such as Bosch, Danone, Siemens
and RWE. Additionally, NFIA assisted a large number of companies from Asia and the
Middle East in their location selection, companies such as Astellas, BenQ, Daewoo,
Fujifilm, Giant, Hitachi, Huawei, ICBC, LG Electronics, SABIC, Samsung, Saudi Aramco,
Tata Consultancy Services, Teijin and Yakult.
TRADE AND FOREIGN INVESTMENT 35
Foreign Investors in the
Netherlands
What companies say about the Netherlands
Strategic location
“Opening a base at Schiphol is an important strategic move for
easyJet. easyJet is already the second largest airline at Amsterdam one of Europe’s leading airports serving a large and growing aviation
market with strong passenger demand both to and from the Dutch
capital.”
easyJet (UK)
Digital Gateway
“Now, this is just the European Headquarters, but it is a matter of time
before this office will serve as the headquarters for Africa and the
Middle East as well.”
Netflix (USA)
Superior logistics and technology infrastructure
“Aside from the great infrastructure and the Netherlands excellent
location in Europe, the Netherlands also appeals to us because of
developments in the fields of smart cities, smart environments, and
smart mobility.”
Huawei (China)
www.investinholland.com
Source: Netherlands Enterprise Agency
TRADE AND FOREIGN INVESTMENT 37
4. Holland Digital
Gateway
The Netherlands is a leading ICT innovator and
a digital gateway to Europe. It has strong ICT
infrastructure and an open innovation model
that leads to high-level research. Moreover, the
Dutch are keenly focused on cyber security and
have developed various centres of expertise
such as The Hague Security Delta. The
Netherlands plays a key role in global Internet
traffic. About a third of Europe’s Internet traffic
with the US goes via the Amsterdam Internet
Exchange. The quality of ICT infrastructure and security in The Netherlands makes it an
attractive location for foreign investors: 25% are
ICT related.
Source: Netherlands Enterprise Agency
39
The Dutch and ICT
Strong in innovation, security and connectivity
•The Netherlands is an international internet hub. It has the most
competitive internet market and the second highest online
connectivity in the world. 98% of households are connected to
(broadband) internet compared to the European average of 62%.
•The Dutch are active internet users: 91% of Dutch aged 16-74
compared to average 75% of Europeans in same age group. 75% of
Dutch between 16-74 years have basic ICT skills. The European
average is 59%.
•Businesses from within and outside Holland invest in data centres
and fibre optics connections in Holland, due to the country’s good
digital infrastructure.
•As a result, a third main-port of large economic importance has
come into being: the digital hub. This hub has created 140,000
jobs (Research by Deloitte. In comparison, Schiphol airport has
166,000 jobs and the Port of Rotterdam, 184,000.)
•For further economic growth, The Netherlands continues to invest
in economic opportunities in the cyber domain and to stimulate
research there
•In addition, the Netherlands is committed to renewing laws and
regulations that limit restrictions to digital innovation and growth.
•The Netherlands actively supports the adoption of international
internet standards and open and secure international internet
hosting.
•COMMIT is the biggest ICT research project in The Netherlands,
including 100 ICT companies, users and universities, working
together.
40 HOLLAND DIGITAL GATEWAY
HOLLAND DIGITAL GATEWAY 41
42 HOLLAND DIGITAL GATEWAY
HOLLAND DIGITAL GATEWAY 43
Everyone’s into ICT
Most advanced ICT economies (2015)
Singapore
6.00
Finland
6.00
Sweden
5.80
Netherlands
5.80
Norway
5.80
5.70
Switzerland
United States
5.60
United Kingdom
5.60
Luxembourg
5.60
Japan
5.60
Source: World Economic Forum, 2015.
7,5
7,6
7,7
7,8
5,5
5,6
5,7
5,8
5,9
6
8,5
Research done in 20158, by the
WEF
into
network
readiness,
awarded
Holland
an excellent score: 4th place (in 2013 and 2014) in a list of 143 countries. The
WEF-Networked Readiness Index (NRI) is one of the most comprehensive and
authoritative assessments of the impact of ICT on competitiveness of nations
and the well-being of their citizens. The NRI assesses the preparedness of an
economy to fully leverage ICT in terms of: (1) ICT infrastructure, cost of access
and the presence of the necessary skills to ensure an optimal use; (2) Uptake
and use of ICT among governments, business and individuals; (3) Business
and innovation environment, and the political and regulatory framework; and
(4) Economic and social impacts accruing from ICT, and according to the
International Telecommunication Union, the Netherlands ranks 7th among
the world’s most advanced ICT economies, above countries such as Japan and
the U.K. ITU’s ICT Development Index ranks 166 countries according to their
level of ICT access, use and skills.
44 HOLLAND DIGITAL GATEWAY
HOLLAND DIGITAL GATEWAY 45
Leading the field
in broadband
Number of broadband connections (2013)
44.9
Switzerland
40.4
Netherlands
35.6
40.0
Denmark
37.6
33.9
France
33.5
Korea
32.8
Norway
United Kingdom 31.9
37.0
35.8
32.4
Iceland
37.5
35.2
30.4
Germany
34.8
30.3
Belgium
34.4
Measured per 100 inhabitants. Source: OECD, 2015.
28
29
30
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
In December 2013, the Netherlands had the second-highest number of
broadband connections per 100 inhabitants in the world. Almost
every household in the Netherlands can be reached by a cable or
DSL connection. With the world’s largest digital data distributor, the
Amsterdam Internet Exchange (AMS-IX), the Netherlands also has an
outstanding data connection network, which is essential for businesses
such as banks, insurers, internet-based companies and computer and
advertising companies.
Source: Netherlands Enterprise Agency
46 HOLLAND DIGITAL GATEWAY
47
5. Top Sectors in Focus
In its economic policy, the Dutch government is
focussing on nine business sectors that are key
to Holland’s international trade and investment.
These are sectors that are leading the way in
innovation and sustainability, collaborating
with Holland’s knowledge institutes on worldclass research and development. Expertise and
products from these Dutch sectors is on demand
around the world. Together, these sectors are
the drivers of the Dutch economy.
Floating Greenhouses at Flora Holland/Naaldwijk
Source: Netherlands Enterprise Agency
49
Agriculture & Food
Sector
World-leading supplier of agri-food products
•For edible vegetables has Holland the second place in the world
export. Only China is a greater exporter for edible vegetables. The
Netherlands has the fourth largest export for fruits. More fruit is
exported by the USA, Spain and Chile.
•The total value of the Dutch agricultural exports was 82.4 billion
euros in 2015. This is 0.7 billion euros less than 2014. Germany is
the largest consumer of the Dutch agricultural goods (with 11.1
billion euros in 2015).
•The contribution of the Dutch agricultural sector, including trade
and processing of products to the GDP and employment is 10%
(=10.943 billion euros) of the total GDP in 2014.
•The most important export products for 2015 were potatoes,
vegetables and fruit (AGF), with 11.1 billion euros as value.
•Three out of the world’s top-25 food and beverage companies in
2015 are settled in The Netherlands.
•The Food Valley region, centered at Wageningen University and
Research Center, is one of the most authoritative agrifood and
nutrition research centres in Europe. Wageningen University
occupies the first place worldwide in the QS World University
Rankings by Subject 2016, in the category Agriculture & Forestry.
•NIZO food research is a leading global center in proteins, bacteria,
and processing. It is an independent company and one of the
most advanced contract research centers in the world. The latest
food technologies are brought to life in our own food grade
processing plant.
•Holland is one of the world’s leading developers and
manufacturers of food processing machinery.
•Dutch industry produces 80% of the world’s capacity of poultry
processing machinery, and a substantial amount of cheese
production machinery.
•Dutch agricultural entrepreneurs use efficient and sustainable
production systems and processes, resulting in a productivity that
is five times higher than the European average.
• Amsterdam is still the largest cocoa port in the world.
Source: Netherlands Enterprise Agency
TOP SECTORS IN FOCUS 51
Chemical Sector
Chemical portal to Europe
•For the chemical sector The Netherlands has the basic materials or
materials can easily be imported. A network of logistics to the
hinterland is spread out through the whole EU-market. The
chemical research and development and education are top of the
world. In 2014 the turnover was 56 billion euros. (49 billion euros
exclusive pharma).
•80% from the chemical products has been exported. The Dutch
chemical exports were valued at some 76 billion euros.
•Holland is one of Europe’s leading suppliers of chemical products
and services.
•The competitiveness of the Dutch chemical industry lies in its
internal and inter-company integration. Chemical companies work
together on innovation and production, and take advantage of
regional clustering.
•The Netherlands hosts 16 of the world’s top 25 leading chemical
companies, including BASF, AkzoNobel, Dow Chemical, SABIC and
Shell.
•Holland is also home to world-class R&D institutes for
fundamental and applied research such as TNO, Delft University,
Twente University, Wageningen University and Eindhoven
University. Some 1.25% of the turnover goes to internal R&D:
about 750 million euros (2012).
•Within the strong chemical community, the Dutch have formalized
and structured the approach to co-operation. This is done with
formal, long-term public-private partnerships (such as BE-Basic,
the Institute for Sustainable Process Technology and the Dutch
Polymer Institute) as well as through ‘open innovation’ in so called
Centres for Open Chemical Innovation (COCI). The five COCIs are
Chemelot; the Green Chemistry Campus; Plant One; Biotech
Campus; and Green Polymer Application Valley.
•In the area of advanced materials (polymers, composites, etc.), the
Netherlands consistently punches above its weight, producing
world-renowned innovations in materials such as Twaron, Dyneema
and Glare, as well as the folding tires for the automotive industry.
Source: Netherlands Enterprise Agency
TOP SECTORS IN FOCUS 53
Creative Industries
Masters in architecture, design, fashion and gaming
•The Dutch creative industry ranks among the world’s top 10 for
trade, jobs and brands. Holland’s creative industry helps
innovation in other sectors, like health, security and energy. The
sector also creates solutions for environmental challenges such as
plastic pollution in oceans and new ways to build cars.
•Dutch architects are commissioned to design prestigious
buildings around the world such as the Mercedes Benz Museum
in Stuttgart, the CCTV Headquarters in Beijing and Battery Park in
New York. Renowned Dutch architects/agencies include Rem
Koolhaas (OMA), Francine Houben (Mecanoo), Ben van Berkel and
Caroline Bos (UNStudio).
•Holland has a long tradition of interior design, epitomized by
Rietveld’s furniture designs. Marcel Wanders is currently one the
world’s best known furniture designers. Droog Design is also
famous for the furniture and total design for houses and hotels.
•Dutch fashion designers with international acclaim are Viktor &
Rolf, Spijkers and Spijkers, Iris van Herpen, Sjaak Hullekes and
Studio Jux. World-famous Dutch fashion brands include G-Star,
Sandwich, Gsus and Supertrash.
•Holland is the world’s 3rd largest exporter of television formats.
TV producers such as John de Mol, Endemol and Eyeworks are the
creative engine behind some of the world’s most popular TV
shows, such as The Voice, Big Brother, Deal or No Deal, Obese and
So You Wannabe a Popstar.
•The Netherlands is a world-leading developer of computer games
including serious games such as VStep’s Ship Simulator and
Guerilla Games. Famous Dutch leisure games include Killzone and
Age of Wonders. Layar gives ICT solutions for augmented reality
on mobile devices. Games will help elderly people to keep moving,
when playing a game like tennis on the Nintendo devise WII.
•In the top100 DJ list are 5 Dutch DJ’s: Hardwell, Martin Garrix,
Armin van Buuren, Tiësto and Afrojack.
Intell hotel Zaandam / WAM architects
TOP SECTORS IN FOCUS 55
Energy Sector
Innovative, sustainable energy solutions
•The Netherlands is a major natural gas producer and the source of
advanced gas technology. Besides it is also Europe’s leading gas broker
and a strategic gas hub. The country produced 2481 billion cubic metres
(bcm) in 2014; gas exports amounted to 2094 bcm. Holland ranks number
8 in the top 10 natural gas production countries. USA is leading, followed
by Russia.
•The distribution network for gas is the densest in Europe and of a very
high standard. The reliability is 99,995%. Households have had in 2013
no electricity for 23 minutes and gas for 1 minute due to breakdowns in
the distribution.
•The Dutch have unmatched capacity to cope with seasonal fluctuations in
gas demand, providing north-western Europe with much-needed flexibility.
•Holland has an international reputation for research in renewable energy,
for instance in the field of solar energy, with institutes such as FOM and
ECN, as well as various universities. The Dutch team from Delft University of
Technology has won the World Solar Challenge, the biennial competition
for solar cars, in 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2013, 2014 and 2015 (Nuna 8).
•The Dutch have leading expertise in offshore wind energy, co-combustion
of biomass in coal-fired power plants, pretreatment methods of biomass,
the use of landfill gas, and the use of heat pumps combined with heat and
cold storage.
•There is extensive experience in the field of energy efficiency due to a long
tradition of multi-annual voluntary agreements on energy efficiency
between Dutch industry and the government. The industry has to save
energy 2% each year of the energy household. And they have to use more
and more sustainable energy like solar- or wind power.
•7.6 million tons of municipal waste is converted in 13 efficient and clean
waste incinerators to power, heat and reusable resources from the ashes.
•The Netherlands is establishing itself as leader in green gas. ‘Green gas’
technology, the gasification of biomass, has been patented by Dutch
energy company ECN. Due higher costs for biomass and lower pricing for
the electricity of warmth from the biomass is the market less booming
business than a few years ago. Driving on bio-LNG is an opportunity for the
energy sector and subsidy bio gas is still necessary.
Source: Nuon / Jorrit Lousberg
TOP SECTORS IN FOCUS 57
High Tech Sector
New technologies for health, mobility, energy and security
•Holland’s high-tech sector is a world leader in the development of new
technologies and materials for use in communication systems, aircraft and
automobiles, medical devices, energy generation and semiconductor production.
Brabant and Utrecht are the forerunners of innovation in The Netherlands
in 2015.
•Dutch companies invented WiFi, the CD and the DVD. Philips came with Blu-ray
discs. Bluetooth was invented by Dutchman Jaap Haartsen. And high-tech
equipment from Dutch companies is used in 90% of all silicon chips produced
worldwide.
•The Netherlands is strong in nanotechnology research. Dutch publications in
nanotechnology are the most frequently cited by patents, compared to all other
countries in the world. The country ranks 3rd in citation impact in 2014.
• The Netherlands has also been a leader in technologies that aid water
management, giving it a leading perspective on the use of satellite data for
improving life on Earth.
•Dutch multinational ASML is the world’s leading provider of lithography
machines for the semiconductor industry and ranks number 98 on the most
innovative companies in the world in 2015.
•In 2012 the export value from the HTSM sector was 45 billion euros, and the
added value 42 billion euros. To make more value, the HTSM sector have to invest
more in their R&D departments, up to 800 billion euros in 2019 (70% private
investors). The main goal is to double the export for the HTSM sector in 2025.
•Three out of the five widely used milking robots are manufactured in the
Netherlands, two of the biggest worldwide operational semen organizations are
based in the Netherlands, and two of the three internationally used Herd
management programs are controlled by Dutch based companies.
•To make HTSM more successful the target countries for the coming years are
Japan, Brazil, India, Israel, Singapore,Turkey, Belgium, Germany, France, China
(Taiwan), the USA and South-Korea.
•The Netherlands has been a leader in technologies that aid water management,
giving it a leading perspective on the use of satellite data for improving life on
Earth. From the 1960’s onwards, the Dutch applied ground-based knowledge of
the Earth and the atmosphere to the evolving space sector, developing
instruments for Earth observation and astronomy.
TOP SECTORS IN FOCUS 59
Horticulture Sector
World’s leading supplier of flowers, plants and trees
•
The Dutch horticulture sector is a global trendsetter and the
undisputed international market leader in flowers, plants, bulbs
and propagation material.
•
Holland has a 44% share of the worldwide trade in floricultural
products, making it the dominant global supplier of flowers and
flower products. Some 77% of all flower bulbs traded worldwide
come from the Netherlands, the majority of which are tulips. 40%
of the trade in 2015 was cut flowers and flower buds.
•
The sector is the number 1 exporter to the world for live trees,
plants, bulbs, roots and cut flowers.
•
Dutch horticultural innovations include intelligent greenhouses
that can float on water, moving platforms, robots, innovative
lighting, water and waste recycling, and greenhouses that
generate more energy than they consume and thus contribute to
a reduction in CO2. Office premises which are not in use are
transformed into urban agriculture sites, like Greennest
Amsterdam or urban vineyards.
•
Worldwide the Dutch horticulture sector has 6% of all the patent
applications on nutrition. SME’s have the most technological
innovations.
•Holland is one of the world’s largest exporters of seeds. In the
world ranking The Netherlands is 5th on the list: first is the USA,
followed by Brazil, Canada, Argentina and then The Netherlands.
The total value of exports was more than 3.4 billion US dollars in
2014.
•
In 2014 the Netherlands was the world’s second largest exporter
(in value) of fresh vegetables. The Netherlands exported
vegetables with a market value of 7.6 billion US dollars.
Source: Netherlands Enterprise Agency
TOP SECTORS IN FOCUS 61
Life Sciences and Health
Sector
Helping to advance health worldwide
•
The Netherlands ranks 8th worldwide in patent applications for
technology and 2nd in patent applications for biotechnology,
according to OECD figures.
•
With approximately 375 innovative life sciences companies
clustered within a 120 mile radius, Holland is the most
geographically concentrated region in the world when it comes to
creating economic and social value in Life Sciences and Health.
•
Expertise in healthcare infrastructure is characterised by a
turn-key plus approach: Dutch companies are able to cover all
aspects from hospital design & engineering, financing, waste
management, medical equipment etc. while paying special
attention paid to energy efficiency and ‘healing environments’.
•
Brain port Eindhoven spends 9 % of the gross national product on
R&D. Brain port Eindhoven is the only region in the Netherlands
which hits the target of 3%.
•
The excellent medical research infrastructure is strongly focused
on translational research in the different medical fields such
oncology, cardiovascular, immunology and neuroscience.
•
The Netherlands is a global market leader in mobile health care,
which enables the Dutch to contribute to rural health care in
developing countries around the globe.
•
The top sector helps upcoming markets to develop their basic form
of healthcare, for all segments of the populations, from wealthy to
poor. This can be done by developing vaccines, innovative health
systems and giving education about health and healthcare. Mobile
medical care units are a solution for secluded communities.
•
The sector invests over 2 billion euros in R&D in the Netherlands
each year and is becoming a globally recognized stronghold of
open innovation. It already accounts for 2.5% of GDP.
•
Philips is the world leader in medical imaging and patient
monitoring; DSM is a biomaterials leader.
•
The Dutch public-private partnership model, such as the
Netherlands Genomics Initiative (NGI) and the three top institutes
(TI Pharma, CTMM and BMM), have set an international standard.
TOP SECTORS IN FOCUS 63
Logistics Sector
Strategic gateway to Europe and the world
•The Netherlands was ranked 2nd in the 2015 World Bank global
Logistics Performance Index (based on terms of efficiency and
effectiveness of its customs, quality of transport, IT infrastructure
for logistics and ease and affordability of shipping).
•The Port of Rotterdam is the world’s 9th-largest and Europe’s
largest port with a throughput of 466 billion tons in 2015. From
the Port of Rotterdam, all major industrial and economic centres
in Western Europe can be reached in less than 24 hours.
•In 2013, Schiphol won the ‘ACI EUROPE Best Airport’ award for the
fourth time. In 2015 Amsterdam Schiphol Airport was second best
in the category ‘over 25 million passenger’ category. Schiphol won
the award for Best Airport in Europe for the 20th time at the 2015.
At the 2014 World Airport Awards air travellers voted Amsterdam
Airport Schiphol the Best Airport in Western Europe.
•According to the World Economic Forum, the quality of the Dutch
infrastructure is among the best in the world, reflecting excellent
facilities for maritime, air, road and railroad transport, ranked 1st,
4th, 2th and 7th, respectively in 2015. IMD Business School ranked
the Netherlands first worldwide in 2015 with regards to the
quality of its water transport infrastructure.
•The port of Rotterdam is eighth in the world in terms of
transhipment volume for overseas transport.
•Dutch inland shipping accounts for 54% of all trade shipping in
Western Europe. The Dutch fleet is, with 7,000 vessels, the biggest
and most modern in Europe. 79% of all containers transported via
inland navigation in the EU-28 countries passes through Dutch
territory.
•Foreign companies generate almost 13% of the employment in The
Netherlands. 66% has European owners, 23% has owners from the
United States.
Source: Netherlands Enterprise Agency
TOP SECTORS IN FOCUS 65
Water Sector
World leaders in hydraulic engineering, water treatment and
shipbuilding
•The Dutch are renowned for their integrated water management and
multi-disciplinary approach that balances social, economic,
environmental and engineering needs (‘Building with Nature’).
•Dutch companies are involved in the sustainable development of
low-lying urban agglomerations such as Jakarta and Bangladesh, and
coastal development in areas such as Dubai, Vietnam and Romania.
•40% of the freely accessible market for water management is in Dutch
hands.
•The Dutch Delta Works are listed in the Guinness Book of Records as
the largest flood defence project in the world. With almost 16,500
kilometres of dykes and 300 structures, the project is one of the most
extensive engineering projects in the world. The Oosterscheldedam is
the largest single tidal barrier in the world, at 9km in length.
•The Dutch invest heavily in innovation and R&D through public
private partnerships. These include renowned institutes such as
Deltares, MARIN, Wetsus and KWR Watercycle Research Institute. TNO
and large Dutch private firms are also recognised for their water R&D.
•In the field of water technology and maritime technology, the
Netherlands ranks 8th worldwide for global patents.
•The Dutch began using innovative waste water treatment techniques
in the 1970s. Some 99.9% of Dutch households have access to clean,
entirely chlorine-free drinking water. Additionally, the level of
recycling of industrial waste water is high, and this recycled water is
of such high quality that it can be used in the food and beverage
industries.
•The Dutch maritime cluster comprises 12 sub sectors and 12,000
companies, which employ 224,000 employees. The cluster has a
strong international focus: 60% of the seagoing ships produced in the
Netherlands are destined for export. And de sustainability standards
of the ships are higher each year.
•The total export was 22.5 billion euros. The maritime cluster accounts
for 4% of the total Dutch export. Harbour infrastructure represents
the top export (32%), followed by seagoing vessels (23%).
Source: Netherlands Enterprise Agency
TOP SECTORS IN FOCUS 67
6. Human Capital
and Innovation
Dutch products are ‘typically’ highly
innovative. The Netherlands provides
solutions to keep rising water levels in check,
create islands in the sea and make waterways
navigable. Apart from solutions for use in the
natural environment, the Dutch also have the
knowledge and the skills to develop products
such as navigation systems with worldwide
appeal (TomTom). This capacity to innovate is
evidenced by the large number of patents that
are applied for every year, and by the presence
of several world-renowned knowledge and
research institutes in the Netherlands.
69
Well-educated
working population
Dutch schoolchildren
are second in the EU
Education level: upper secondary education (2014)
PISA Score
United States
90
Switzerland
88
Hong Kong,
China
Germany
87
South Korea
Finland
87
Japan
Austria
84
Sweden
80
Canada
Ireland
79
Netherlands
United Kingdom
79
Switzerland
76
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
540
535
529
522
519
518
515
Germany
Measured as PISA scores (points). OECD average = 500.
Source: OECD, 2013
80
90
The internationally-oriented working population of the Netherlands is well educated,
with many people able to speak more than one foreign language (European and their
languages - European Commission, 2014). According to the EF English Proficiency
Index 2014, the Netherlands ranks second out of 63 countries. In addition to English,
and in comparison with neighbouring countries, a good proportion of the population
also speak German and French. Besides, according to the OECD the Dutch labour
force is well equipped for the dynamic, fast changing IT-society of the 21e century
(OECD Skills Outlook 2013). In comparison to other OECD-countries the Dutch
employees have leading positions at literacy proficiency, numeracy proficiency and
proficiency in problem solving in technology-rich environments. Moreover, according
to the European Commission, the Netherlands has a world-class vocational education
and training (VET) system, with built-in mechanisms to adapt to current and future
skills needs so that training is more demand-driven. Furthermore, compared to many
other EU member states, life-long learning is commonplace in the Netherlands:
adults regularly engage in further education in order to continually improve their
skills and knowledge levels.
70 HUMAN CAPITAL AND INNOVATION
543
Finland
Denmark
Measured as percentage of population (25-64 years old)
that has attained upper secondary education.
Source: OECD, 2015.
554
Taiwan
82
Netherlands
555
Singapore
500
510
520
530
540
550
Dutch schoolchildren achieve good scores in the OECD Programme for International
Student Assessment (PISA): fifth place within the OECD and second in the EU. The
PISA survey is conducted every three years among 500,000 school pupils across 70
countries, and evaluates the capacity of 15-year-old schoolchildren to understand
and solve academic problems. Moreover, according to the OECD the Dutch labour
force is well equipped for the dynamic, fast changing IT-society of the 21e century. In
comparison to other OECD countries, Dutch employees have leading positions in
literacy proficiency, numeracy proficiency and proficiency in problem solving in
technology-rich environments.
HUMAN CAPITAL AND INNOVATION 71
Fourth most prosperous
country
Human Development Index (2015)
0.971
0.944
Norway
0.935
Australia
0.930
Switzerland
0.923
Denmark
0.922
Netherlands
Germany
0.916
Ireland
0.963
0.916
United States
0.915
Canada
0.913
New Zealand
0.913
Source: United Nations Development Programme, 2015.
,58 ,69 ,60 ,61 ,62 ,63 ,64 ,65 ,66 ,67 ,68 ,69 ,70 ,71
According to the UNDP, the Netherlands is the fourth most prosperous
country in the world. In determining ‘prosperity’, the UNDP takes into
account a country’s GDP as well as other aspects of human well-being,
such as life expectancy, public health, literacy levels and educational
standards. The Netherlands ranks fifth out of a total of 188 countries listed
in the UNDP index.
72 HUMAN CAPITAL AND INNOVATION
HUMAN CAPITAL AND INNOVATION 73
Worldwide Innovation
index: fourth position
Most innovative countries (2014)
64.8
Switzerland
United Kingdom
62.4
Sweden
62.4
Netherlands
61.6
United States
60.1
Finland
60.0
Singapore
59.4
Ireland
59.1
Luxembourg
59.0
Denmark
57.7
Source: INSEAD, 2015.
4
4,1
4,2
4,3
4,4
4,5
4,6
4,7
4,8
4,9
The Netherlands scores well on the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2015. The
GII ranks 141 countries on parameters such as ‘institutions’, ‘human
capacity’ and ‘business sophistication’, so as to arrive at a global innovation ranking for each country. The Netherlands scores particularly well on
parameters such as ‘knowledge diffusion’, ‘online creativity‘ and ‘creative
goods and services’.
According to the Innovation Union Scoreboard 2015 (IUS) the Netherlands
ranks fifth in the EU (European Commission/UNU-MERIT, 2015). The IUS
distinguishes between 3 main types of indicators (enablers, firm activities
and outputs) and 8 innovation dimensions (as human resources, research
systems, finance and support, intellectual assets), capturing in total 25
different indicators.
74 HUMAN CAPITAL AND INNOVATION
Photo: Nuon Solar Team / Jorrit Lousberg
HUMAN CAPITAL AND INNOVATION 75
Modest R&D
expenditure
Home-grown knowledge
multinationals
R&D expenditure (2014)
Top 10 innovative Dutch businesses (2015)
R&D expenditure (millions of euros)
Finland
3.17
Sweden
3.16
ASML
3.7
Belgium
2.46
2.0
Netherlands
1.8
United Kingdom
1.8
VDL Groep
1.70
Source: Eurostat, 2016.
1
1,5
2,0
262
1221
230
1285
132,3
882
DAF Trucks
1.97
1.71.52
Ireland
475
1525
Royal DSM
2.26
1.9
France
768
4038
NXP
Semiconductors
2.87
2.6
Germany
4404
KPN
2.99
2.7
Austria
770
Royal Philips
2.73.05
Denmark
2,5
3,0
3,5
3,8
87
878
Rijk Zwaan
67
Friesland
Campina
64
Synthon
R&D personnel (FTE)
521
520
61,7
232
*Calculated by TW.
Source: Technisch Weekblad, 2015.
At 2.0% of GDP in 2014, Research & Development expenditure in the
Netherlands is modest from an international perspective (EU-average was
2.0% in 2014). However, this can partly be explained by the Dutch sector
structure because the services sector, which ‘naturally’ has a low R&D
intensity, accounts for a relatively large share of the Dutch economy.
Public-private partnerships in scientific research are a major factor, and
the Netherlands is ranked sixth worldwide in this area, according to the
Netherlands Observatory of Science and Technology (NOWT).
76 HUMAN CAPITAL AND INNOVATION
The Dutch economy has a broad and solid base. Leading multinationals
with worldwide operations such as AkzoNobel, ASML, DAF Trucks,
Heineken, NXP Semiconductors, Philips, Shell and Unilever have their
roots in the Netherlands. Dutch industry includes a large number of
innovative and knowledge-intensive companies that enjoy a sound
reputation the world over and that carry out a great deal of R&D
(including the aforementioned multinationals). In addition, there are also
many other global businesses that conduct R&D activities in the
Netherlands, such as Danone, Dow and Yakult.
HUMAN CAPITAL AND INNOVATION 77
Large base of knowledge
and research
A selection of knowledge and research institutes (2015)
Budget in millions of euros
Personnel in FTE
518.4
TNO
2935
138
ECN
435
Deltares
110
FOM
108
NLR
108
2639
1019
323
KNMI
73,3
MESA +
66,7
358
MARIN
J.M. Burgercentrum
TI Food and
Nutrition
610
47,5
595
46,1
368
26,4
223
Source: Technisch Weekblad, 2016.
0
1000highly for
2000
3000
Dutch universities score
relatively
teaching and
research 4000
in a
number of international rankings (see: www.vsnu.nl/Focus-areas/
Key-objectives/Top-research/TopresearchNew.htm en Dutch Scientists
frequently cited).
Wageningen University (WUR), for example, is a global leader in green
biotechnology, and Leiden University leads the way in the biomedical life
sciences. In addition, the Netherlands is home to a significant number of
renowned knowledge and research institutes such as ECN and TNO, which
play an important role in the government-initiated public-private
innovation programmes.
78 HUMAN CAPITAL AND INNOVATION
TNO
Organisation for Applied Scientific Research
ECN
Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands
ESTEC
European Space Research and Technology Centre
Stichting FOM Foundation for the Fundamental Research on Matter
Deltares
Institute for Deltatechnology
NLR
National Aerospace Laboratory
KNMI
Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute
MESA+
Institute for Nanotechnology
MARINResearch Institute in Hydrodynamics and Nautical
Research
CTIT ICT research centre at University of Twente that make
the societies of today and tomorrow smart
Brainport Eindhoven Region is a top technology breeding ground for
innovation and home to world-class businesses, knowledge institutes
and research institutions. The five key target sectors are High Tech
Systems & Materials, Food, Automotive, Lifetec and Design. Brainport
Eindhoven Region is a powerful innovative player in a European and
global context. It accounts for a third of all Dutch private R&D
expenditure, and is one of Europe’s top three regions in terms of patent
density. In 2011 the Intelligent Community Forum declared Brainport
the world’s smartest region. In 2012 Fortune magazine suggested that
this region could be the new Silicon Valley.
Energy Valley is the energy cluster in the north of the Netherlands.
The Energy Valley Region is an incubation zone for clean, reliable and
innovative energy. The region is strategically positioned, centrally in
the European gas and power grid, and directly at the North sea with
excellent harbour facilities for transport of raw materials and offshore
wind developments. Companies, knowledge institutes and governments
work closely together to create a sustainable energy economy and new
green jobs. Currently there are over 3,000 companies en 22,500
employees in the Northern energy cluster.
HUMAN CAPITAL AND INNOVATION 79
Dutch scientists
frequently cited
Refreshing business
approach
Citation impact (2009-2012)
Number of PCT-patent applications (2015)
Netherlands
1.6
Netherlands
Ireland
1.44
Germany
Finland
1.44
Austria
346
307
230
Belgium
1.42
Norway
365
Denmark
1.49
United States
392
Finland
1.5
United Kingdom
419
Sweden
1.56
Switzerland
873
Switzerland
1.63
Denmark
180
Sweden
1.37
Japan
169
Belgium
1.37
France
162
Source: WTI2, 2015, data processing: Netherlands Enterprise Agency, 2015.
*Number of patent applications per million inhabitants.
Source: European Intellectual Property Organisation, 2016.
1,40
1,42
1,44
1,46
1,48
1,50
1,52
1,54
1,56
1,58
1,60
1,62
1,64
The citation impact score is a key indicator of scientific quality.
The score refers to the number of times a scientist is cited by other
scientists. These citations indicate how much they value each other’s
work. The global average citation impact score is ‘1’. Dutch scientists
are cited above the global average and claim third place in the world.
Furthermore, Dutch scientists score highly for joint publications, which is
evidence of the international significance of research taking place in the
Netherlands.
80 HUMAN CAPITAL AND INNOVATION
75
.
85
95
105 115 125 135 145 155 165 175 185 195 205 210213
PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) patents are patent applications that are
registered with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). The
Netherlands has the second highest (first in the EU) number of patent
applications per million inhabitants in the world. Patents are in many
cases the result of R&D activities which, if successful, can lead to greater
labour productivity and an advantage over foreign competitors. This high
score means that Dutch industry is an attractive potential partner - one
that is innovative, inviting and dynamic.
HUMAN CAPITAL AND INNOVATION 81
7. Infrastructure
The Netherlands has a number of key logistics
hubs such as the Port of Rotterdam and Schiphol
Airport, as well as a high penetration of broadband
Internet. This provides the country with a sound
physical infrastructure and consequently enables
it to be a top performer in terms of logistics.
83
Navigable inland
waterways
Strong in
logistics
Quality of water transportation (2016)
Logistics performance index (2014)
Netherlands
9.65
4.12
Germany
Denmark
9.31
Netherlands
Singapore
9.27
Belgium
Hong Kong, China
9.26
United Kingdom
4.05
4.04
4.01
Finland
8.87
Singapore
Norway
8.81
Sweden
3.96
3.96
Iceland
8.78
Norway
Sweden
8.76
Luxembourg
UAE
8.59
Germany
3.91
Source: World Bank, 2014.
8,5
8,75
9
9,25
9,5
9,75
10
The Netherlands has a good physical infrastructure, with the world-class
(main)ports and the navigable inland waterway system being prime
examples. The extensive network of inland waterways has excellent
connections to the waterways in the rest of Europe. The Netherlands has
the best water transport infrastructure in the world. The country also has
an extensive road transport network and is second in the world as regards
road network density (IMD, 2015). According to IMD (2016), the Dutch
energy infrastructure also scores well, taking the seventh place overall.
84 INFRASTRUCTURE
3.92
Japan
Harbours, canals, etc. Source: IMD, 2016.
8,25
3.95
United States
8.49
8
4.00
3,8
3,9
4,0
4,1
4,2
The Netherlands’ strong position in terms of logistics is due to the
favourable geographic location of the country, at the heart of Europe;
a sound infrastructure that includes the Port of Rotterdam, the Port of
Amsterdam, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol; and a sophisticated logistics
sector. This is reflected in the World Bank Logistics Performance Index
2014, where the Netherlands is ranked second. The Netherlands came out
on top in terms of the efficiency and effectiveness of its Customs and
other border procedures, the quality of its transport and IT infrastructure
for logistics, the ease of use and affordability of its shipping, and the level
of professionalism in the Dutch logistics industry.
INFRASTRUCTURE 85
Third-largest airport
in Europe
Largest port
in Europe
European airport traffic and transport (2015)
Trans-shipment of goods (2015)
Frankfurt am Main
Germany
9,743
Cargo transport x1,000 tonnes
Trans-shipment (in millions of tonnes)
Passenger transport x1,000 passengers
Containers (in millions of TEU)
Netherlands
1,993
466.4
Rotterdam
12.2
60,900
Paris Charles de Gaulle
France
Belgium
1,861
208,4
Antwerp
9,7
65,700
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Netherlands
Germany
1,621
Hamburg
137.8
8.8
58,200
London Heathrow
United Kingdom
1,497
Source: Port of Rotterdam, 2016.
75,000
Source: Schiphol Group, 2016.
In 2015 Amsterdam Airport Schiphol was Europe’s fifth-largest airport in terms of
passenger numbers and third in cargo volumes. In 2015 the Airport was welcoming
58,2 million passengers and processing 1.6 million tonnes of cargo.
A total of more than 100 airlines offer direct flights from Schiphol to 295 destinations. This makes Amsterdam Airport Schiphol one of the five most important Main
Ports (or hubs) in Europe.
It is also one of the two European home bases of Air France-KLM and the SkyTeam
alliance. In addition, Schiphol is an important contributor to the regional economy,
providing direct employment for around 65,000 people at the airport.
The contribution to the national economy amounts to about 26 billion euros, and a
total of 290,000 jobs nationwide.
Schiphol is also renowned for its inspiring facilities for passengers and innovative
technical solutions such as the extensive baggage handling system.
The airport has won over 200 national and international awards since 1980.
Recently, Schiphol was awarded for example Best Airport Western Europe 2014
(SKYTRAX), Best Airport for Business Travellers 2015, Best Air Cargo Terminal
Operator Europe and Cargo Airport Europe and Best Airport in the world in Social
Media, Simplifying Awards for Excellence 2013.
Schiphol is home to a museum which is the first of its kind in the world and
features exhibits that include paintings by Dutch masters from the Golden Age. It is
also the first airport in the world with a library and an airport park.
86 INFRASTRUCTURE
The port of Rotterdam is the largest port in Europe. The trans-shipment in
Rotterdam added up to 466.4 million tons in 2015. The number of containers
handled amounted 12.2 million TEUs in 2015.
Rotterdam is the largest port in Europe. Businesses often choose to locate
in-and-around the Port of Rotterdam because of its strategic location in north-west
Europe, depth of its harbours, the many port facilities, and its excellent transport
links with the hinterland. An entirely new freight railway route, the Betuwe Line,
connects the Port of Rotterdam with the German Ruhr valley.
Many companies from America and Asia use Rotterdam as a base for the
distribution of their goods throughout Europe. A significant number of large
European distribution centres are located in the immediate vicinity of the
container terminals, and these ensure that products can be dispatched efficiently
to anywhere on the contingent or to overseas destinations, such as the United
Kingdom, Scandinavia and the Baltic region.
The combined activities of the port account for about 5% of GDP. In other words,
five cents out of every euro are earned in the port. More than 90,000 people work
directly for the Port of Rotterdam.
Work on the ‘Maasvlakte 2’ project is almost completed. This historic land
reclamation project has expanded the area of the Port of Rotterdam by 2,000
hectares (20%). Maasvlakte 2 provides Rotterdam with an excellent springboard for
the future.
INFRASTRUCTURE 87
8. Government
The complex of buildings known as the ‘Binnenhof’
[‘Inner Court’] in The Hague is the seat of the Dutch
government, which enjoys a good international
reputation and functions effectively.
The Netherlands is one of the most stable nations
in the world with a competitive fiscal climate.
Besides, government finances are relatively healthy.
89
Effective
government
One of the least
corrupt countries
Government effectiveness (2014)
Corruption perception index (2015)
2.2
Singapore
Switzerland
2.1
Finland
2.0
New Zealand
1.9
Denmark
9.491.0
Finland
9.3 91.0
Sweden
9.289.0
New Zealand
9.289.0
Hong Kong, China
1.8
Netherlands
9.086.0
Netherlands
1.8
Norway
8.986.0
Japan
1.8
Switzerland
Norway
1.8
Singapore
Denmark
1.8
Canada
8.7
81.0
Germany
8.7
81.0
Sweden
1.7
Source: World Bank, 2015.
75
85
90
1
2
3
8,7
83.0
Source: Transparency International, 2016.
4
5
6
7
8
9
100
1
2 213
According to the World Bank, the government of the Netherlands is
one of the most effective in the world, thus making it easier for
companies to make medium and long-term decisions.
The figures for government effectiveness capture the perceptions of the
quality of public services; the quality of the civil service and the degree
of its independence from political pressures; the quality of policy
formulation and implementation; and the credibility of the
government’s commitment to such policies.
90 GOVERNMENT
8.9
85.0
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
According to the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index,
levels of corruption and nepotism in the Netherlands are among the
lowest anywhere in the world. Among the aspects of corruption that were
examined were the degree to which people in authority - such as customs
officers, police officers, politicians, judges and other officials – misuse
their position for personal gain (financial or otherwise). IMD (2016) also
concludes that bribery and corruption are rare in the Netherlands: the
country ranks fifth worldwide.
GOVERNMENT 91
Moderate level of
government debt
Competitive
taxation climate
Corporate tax rate on profit 2016 (%)
National debt as a percentage of GDP (2015)
21.4
Luxembourg
12.5
Ireland
Denmark
40.2
43.4
Sweden
Finland
20.0
United Kingdom
20.0
Finland
63.1
Switzerland
Netherlands
64.4
Denmark
22.0
Sweden
22.0
71.2
Germany
86.2
Austria
89.2
United Kingdom
Austria
25.0
Netherlands
25.0
Euro area
90.7
Luxembourg
Ireland
93,8
Germany
Source: Eurostat, 2016.
0
10
20
30
29.2
30.2
Source: IMD, 2016.
40
50
60
70
80
90
The Netherlands was able to dramatically reduce its level of government
debt in the years preceding the global economic crisis thanks to a stable
economy and a reasonably stringent fiscal policy. In 2008, there was even
a budget surplus for the third consecutive year. Dutch government debt
as a percentage of GDP was higher than the EMU standard of 60% in 2015
(64.4% (Rijksoverheid, May 2016)), but it was still well below the average
for the Euro zone (90.7%) (Eurostat, 2016). According to the CPB –
Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis – the budget deficit will
amount to 1.7% of GDP in 2016 and 1.2% in 2017.
92 GOVERNMENT
21.2
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
79
The corporate income tax rate is 20% on the first 200,000 euros and 25% for
taxable profits exceeding 200,000 euros which is well below the EU
national average. Furthermore, companies can benefit from an effective
tax rate of only 5% for R&D income from self-developed, patented,
intangible assets and also from self-developed, unpatented, intangible
assets which qualify for the WBSO subsidy. Other features of the Dutch tax
system include a wide tax treaty network - the participation exemption which states that all benefits related to a qualifying shareholding are
exempt from Dutch corporate income tax, and, finally, a 30% tax-break for
highly qualified foreign employees.
GOVERNMENT 93
Explanatory notes regarding this publication
Sources
This publication is intended to provide a concise and representative
picture of the state of the Dutch economy. Every attempt has been
made to carefully and judiciously select indicators from internationally
renowned and reliable sources. In the case of most of the indicators,
the Dutch economy has been compared with surrounding countries and
the United States, many of which are similar in terms of their economic
structures. Comparisons have also been made in a number of cases
with other countries, such as with various worldwide rankings.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
www.schipholgroup.nl
OECD
www.oecd.org
The Conference Board
www.conference-board.org
Port of Rotterdam Authority
www.portofrotterdam.com
Economist Intelligence Unit
www.eiu.com
Social and Cultural Planning
Office of the Netherlands
www.scp.nl
European Commission
www.ec.europa.eu
Eurostat
www.epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu
IMD
www.imd.ch
IMF
www.imf.org
INSEAD
www.globalinnovationindex.org
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
www.government.nl/ministries/bz
Netherlands Bureau for
Economic Policy Analysis
www.cpb.nl
The Netherlands Observatory
of Science and Technology
www.nowt.nl
The Netherlands Organisation
for Applied Scientific Research
www.tno.nl
94
Statistics Netherlands
www.cbs.nl
Technisch Weekblad
www.technischweekblad.nl
Transparency International
www.transparency.org
UNCTAD
www.unctad.org
United Nations
http://comtrade.un.org/
United Nations Development
Programme
www.hdr.undp.org
World Bank
www.worldbank.org
World Economic Forum
www.weforum.org
World Trade Organization
www.wto.org
95
Other sources of information
More detailed information is available on the websites below,
almost all of which include sections in English.
Information regarding innovation
Benelux Office for
Intellectual Property
www.boip.int
Netherlands Patent Office
www.agentschapnl.nl/
octrooicentrum
Statistics Netherlands
www.cbs.nl
Netherlands Enterprise Agency
www.rvo.nl/innovatie
Ministry of Economic Affairs
www.government.nl/ministries/ez
Trendwatchers for
Innovation and Technology
www.rvo.nl/en/nost
Information regarding the labour market and higher education
http://www.studyinholland.nl/
Statistics Netherlands
www.cbs.nl
Netherlands Bureau for
Economic Policy Analysis
www.cpb.nl
Information regarding enterprise (including internationally),
investing and partnerships in the Netherlands
Ministry of Economic Affairs
www.government.nl/ministries/ez
Ministry of Finance
www.government.nl/ministries/fin
Netherlands Foreign
Investment Agency
www.nfia.nl
Statistics Netherlands
www.cbs.nl
Netherlands Enterprise Agency,
focus on sustainability,
innovation and international
www.hollandtradeand­invest.com
www.rvo.nl
Chambers of Commerce
www.kvk.nl
Association of Universities
in the Netherlands
www.vsnu.nl
Netherlands Organization
for International Cooperation
in Higher Education
www.nuffic.nl
Ministry of Social Affairs
and Employment
www.government.nl/ministries/szw
General information about the Netherlands
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
www.government.nl/ministries/bz
96
Statistics Netherlands
www.cbs.nl
97
Information regarding Top Sectors
Food Tech Holland
www.foodtechholland.nl
Dutch Federation of
Agriculture and Horticulture
(LTO)
www.lto.nl
Association of the Dutch
Chemical Industry
www.vnci.nl
Dutch Design Fashion
Architecture Programme
(DFA)
www.dutchdfa.com
Dutch export platform for
Dutch clean tech companies
www.cleantechholland.nl
98
Energy Research Centre of
the Netherlands
www.ecn.nl
Association of Suppliers of
Environmental Technology
www.vlm.fme.nl
Holland High Tech Sector
www.hollandhightech.nl
Plantum (Dutch Association
for Plant Propagation
Material)
www.plantum.nl
Dutch Flower Auction
www.floraholland.com
Greenport Holland (Dutch
Horticultural Association)
www.greenportholland.com
(Dutch only)
Life Sciences and Health
Sector
www.lifescienceshealth.com
Holland International
Distribution Council
www.hidc.nl
Port of Rotterdam
www.portofrotterdam.com
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
www.schipholgroup.com
Dutch Water Sector
www.dutchwatersector.com
Wetsus, Dutch Centre of
Excellence for Sustainable
Water Technology
www.wetsus.nl
Holland Shipbuilding
Association
www.hme.nl
The Association of Dutch
Suppliers in the Oil and Gas
Industry (IRO)
www.iro.nl and www.iro-noc.nl
99
Imprint 2016 2nd Edition
This publication, Holland Compared 2nd editon, is published by the
Netherlands Enterprise Agency on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs. For further information please contact the Dutch embassy,
consulate or Netherlands Business Support Office in your area, or
visit www.hollandtradeandinvest.com to learn even more about
Dutch commerce.
Editor-in-Chief
Hielke Venema
Editors
Ron Hogenboom
Jacquie Meeuwisse
Production coordinator
Elles van Egmond
Editorial address
Holland Compared
Netherlands Enterprise Agency
Intelligence Unit
P.O. Box 20105
2500 EC The Hague
The Netherlands
Copyright
Articles may be reprinted or reproduced only with acknowledgement
of the source: Source: Holland Compared 2016
No rights may be derived from the contents of this publication.
Photo front, source: Nescio bridge Amsterdam; longest cycle and pedestrian bridge
of the Netherlands.
100
101
The Dutch shaped their land,
and the land in turn shaped the
way they think and work. The
Dutch have partnership and
innovation in their DNA – they
forge international partnerships
to create smart solutions to the
big challenges facing the world
today. Work with us to co-create
sustainable growth and a more
liveable world.
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