Investing in the Netherlands

Toespraak | 14-11-2011

Your Excellency, ladies and gentlemen,

Last year, the British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, appeared on Dutch television. In fluent Dutch, he said he would like to visit the Netherlands more often. He talked about his Dutch relatives, and his close ties with our country. Now, I understand that you don't all have relatives in the Netherlands, or speak the language. So it's my pleasure to tell you why you should come to the Netherlands as well. And why you would be more than welcome.

First and foremost: the Dutch government and the Dutch business community are strongly committed to global trade, the free market and being a fair and reliable business partner. And it's no coincidence that we are meeting here in London, because international trade and entrepreneurship have been a driving force in both the Netherlands and the UK ever since the seventeenth century. Anglo-Dutch companies like Shell, AKZO/ICI, Unilever and Reed Elsevier are active all over the planet. From our small corner of the globe, large investments are moving back and forth all over the world. And the people behind it, innovative entrepreneurs like yourselves, have plenty of ideas for creating even more added value in the future.  So I don't think I need to convince you that in economic heavy weather it is essential to boost economic cooperation across borders.

Against this backdrop, I am very pleased that we'll be talking tonight about doing business in the Netherlands. Some of you already know from experience what the Netherlands has to offer international enterprises. Let me assure you that we highly appreciate your vital contribution to the Dutch economy. More than 30% of the total business turnover in the Netherlands is generated by foreign-owned companies that are active in our country. And I hope that those of you who are not yet investing in the Netherlands will soon find out why this is a good idea.

Because doing business in the Netherlands means doing business in a prime, strategic location. Many international businesses have already set up their headquarters in our country, but there’s always room for more. From our world-class sea port in Rotterdam and from Amsterdam airport, markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa are within easy reach. Combined with our competitive fiscal climate and innovative technological infrastructure, that makes the Netherlands popular with our foreign partners. And that means you, I hope.

The entrepreneurial spirit that has been a driving force in our country for many hundreds of years has brought us where we are today. The Netherlands has the sixteenth biggest economy in the world. We are always open to the outside world. We like to look beyond our borders in search of new opportunities for our trading partners. What's more, 85% of the Dutch speak English, and many speak a third or even fourth language. That will make life easy for you.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Let me conclude by saying that of course I look forward to running into Nick Clegg again on one of his visits to the Netherlands. But it would give me great pleasure to run into you or one of your fellow entrepreneurs in the Netherlands in the very near future as well.

You are more than welcome.

Thank you.