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Holland Food Valley The Agro-Food Cluster in the Netherlands Why invest in Holland? Because Holland offers… • a strategic location in Europe • a competitive fiscal climate • a superior logistics and technology infrastructure • a conducive innovation environment • an international business environment • a solid workforce • an attractive quality of life Key figures Agro-Food sector in the Netherlands • Turnover 63 billion euro (>10% GDP) • 21% of total Dutch export • 22% added value • 6th-ranked food industry in the EU •600,000 jobs in agro-food sector • 140,000 jobs in food industry • 4 Dutch food companies in world Top 30 •8 of the 25 largest companies are food companies • 95% SME • World-class R&D infrastructure Introduction Holland’s location and logistics systems, its open innovation approach, and its wellorganized public-private partnerships offer a favorable environment for companies looking for business expansion or acceleration. Add to that a mindset of creativity, collaboration and reliability, excellent financial conditions, and a top technology sector in Agro-Food, and Holland is able to guarantee the most important drivers in ‘innovation location’ choices for foreign investors. Agro-Food is important business in the Netherlands… With more than 10% of the GDP and more than 20% of the industrial export, Agro-Food is one of the biggest economical sectors in the Netherlands. The Dutch government has qualified Agro-Food as a ‘Top sector’. Top sectors get a priority focus from all public and private stakeholders (business-governmentknowledge) with joint strategic planning aimed at ambitious societal, sustainable and economical goals. Source: Nationale Beeldbank The Agro-Food chain in the Netherlands Seed and Breeding Technology Agriculture Processing Transport Feedstock, Ingredients Manufacturing Marketing, Branding Retail Consumers All segments of the Agro-Food chain in the Netherlands are at a world-class level… The whole Agro-Food chain, from seed to consumer, has a very strong presence in the Netherlands. In each segment there are internationally operating world-class companies. All segments of the chain are highly interactive. A company active in one specific segment can work together with world- class companies in other parts of the chain. Companies invest above average in R&D, leveraging the excellent knowledge infrastructure for their innovation portfolio. The knowledge infrastructure in the Netherlands is one of the best in the world. Not only with Wageningen University and Research Center, but also through Top Institute Food & Nutrition, the public-private innovation program Food & Nutrition Delta, TNO (Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research) and NIZO food research. And last but not least, the excellent cross disciplinary interactions and cooperation with eight medical university centers, universities and the Netherlands Genomics Initiative which has several dedicated Genomic Centers all over the country. The government strongly supports all Agro-Food related activities in public-private partnerships, Innovation Programs, dedicated support organizations such as Food Valley and through investment in education in its broadest sense. The Netherlands features one of the most highly-educated, flexible and motivated workforces in Europe. Dutch professionals are also among the most multilingual in the world, enabling them to successfully operate in companies across any industry, serving customers throughout the continent. What’s more, Dutch law offers employers a range of contract possibilities to flexibly procure employees. Source:Unilever The Netherlands is the Agro-Food Portal to Europe… The Netherlands, long Europe’s trading crossroads, is an obvious choice to locate a pan- European operation – whether it’s a European headquarters, a shared services center, a customer care center, a distribution and logistics operation, or an R&D facility. The country’s pro-business environment creates a gateway to Europe that helps international companies succeed throughout the continent. An international outlook and openness to foreign investment is firmly ingrained in the Dutch culture, and this has yielded a wealth of world-class business partners who know how to deal with global business challenges in today’s economy. The Port of Rotterdam is Europe’s largest and most important seaport, while Schiphol Airport is ranked as Europe’s best airport for both cargo and passenger transport. The Netherlands is also classified as one of the most ‘wired’ countries in the world; a dynamic force in electronic commerce, communications and outsourcing. Greenport Venlo is the third logistic junction in the Netherlands, after the port of Rotterdam and Schiphol airport. It owes its growing significance primarily to its strategic position close to the key sales markets of Germany and Central Europe, serving more than 45 million consumers. Greenport Venlo is not only an organization or an area in Europe, it’s also a unique collaboration between the private and public sectors, science, education and the environment. ‘In the Netherlands we are seriously investigating the possibility of additional sustainable energy applications. The Netherlands is ideal for our needs because of its scale and logistical benefits. We work closely with local, regional and national authorities to optimize our business for the sake of the community, the Dutch economy, and our company.’ Mr. Rein de Jong, Operations Director Dongen, The Coca Cola Company ‘The quality of its well-known potatoes made McCain’s expansion into Holland an obvious strategic decision... Holland is a good European citizen and a competitive country. This is the type of environment that helped attract McCain to the Netherlands.’ Mr.Erwin Pardon, CFO McCain Europe ‘Thanks to its independent stance, the NFIA is a very reliable and objective partner – and one with many years’ experience of supporting foreign investors – as well as a really extensive contacts network in the worlds of commerce and government.’ Mr. Loek Favre, Chief Operating Officer, IOI-Loders Croklaan Europe ‘Our office in the Netherlands provides a home to our international sales force as well as local technical center to support the growth of our value-added and specialty ingredients portfolio in Europe.’ Mr. Andrei Mikhalevsky, Managing Director of Global Ingredients and Foodservices, Fonterra Source: Energising the Future Holland is open for foreign companies and their part in the future development of the Dutch Agro-Food sector… Holland is open for business, open for innovation, open for cross-disciplinary cooperation and development, which all leads to business acceleration. This makes it a win-win situation: new companies will find an unparalleled environment which supports their new innovative activities, while the Dutch Agro-Food chain will grow stronger through their presence. In fact, the Netherlands offers a unique perspective for foreign Agro-Food companies, including some very attractive location factors. The Netherlands is proud to have a high standard of living, whilst maintaining an affordable life for its residents. The costs of living, housing, education and cultural activities are lower than in most western European countries. Furthermore, all sorts of cultural and leisure activities are open to both Dutch citizens and visitors alike. Whether it’s spending a leisurely afternoon on the beach, enjoying culinary delights or going to one of the cities’ acclaimed museums, theatres or opera houses, the new expatriate is soon made to feel that the Netherlands is a most welcoming country. About the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency The NFIA (Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency) is an operational unit of the ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation. The NFIA helps and advises foreign companies on the establishment, rolling out and/or expansion of their international activities in the Netherlands. The NFIA was established more than 30 years ago and has since supported more than 2,600 companies from 42 countries in the establishment or expansion of their international activities in the Netherlands. Besides its headquarters in The Hague, the NFIA has its own offices in the United Kingdom, Turkey, North America, Asia and the Gulf Region, as well as a representative office in Brazil. Additionally, the NFIA works together with Dutch embassies, consulates-general, and other organizations representing the Dutch government abroad, as well as with a broad network of domestic partners. For more information please visit: www.nfia.nl. Photo credits: NL Agency unless otherwise noted - June 2011 The Dutch tax system has a number of features that may be very beneficial in international tax planning. These include a corporate income tax rate of 20% on the first €200,000 and 25% for taxable profits exceeding €200,000. In addition, the Dutch ruling practice provides clarity and certainty – in advance – on future tax positions. And with regards to R&D, companies can benefit from the Innovation Box – resulting in an effective corporate tax rate of only 5% – as well as an R&D allowance (WBSO), which takes the form of wage tax and social security contribution deductions.