Almere
Competing business cities might be struggling with shortages of space and labour. But Almere – just 25 minutes from Amsterdam and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol – has ambitious expansion plans. By mid-2030, the current population (185,000) will have doubled. The number of businesses will also expand significantly to provide jobs for the new arrivals.
Almere's dynamism as a business location really stands out. Building and development plans progress quickly here. Every year, the local chamber of commerce registers 1,100 new companies. Business sector growth is over 10 per cent a year. Increasing numbers of foreign companies are opening offices in Almere. There are currently over 100 non-Dutch companies. Given the well-filled applications file, the newcomers look likely to keep pace with the city’s rapid growth.
Expansion
Almere has many advantages as a business location for non-Dutch companies. Young, highly trained professionals are over represented here. Most are looking for a job closer to home: 40,000 people living in Almere currently work outside the city. Every new company is flooded with applications. This is unique in the Dutch labour market.
The city is working hard to improve its good accessibility. From 2012, Almere will be on in the Hanzelijn route. This high-speed train line will connect the north-eastern provinces to the west of the country. Already there are excellent train connections between Almere and Amsterdam.
Almere is also well connected in other ways. The city is benefiting from a fibre optics project that’s unique in Europe. In 2010, all businesses and households will have access to highspeed broadband. More and more ICT companies, data centres and other business service providers are choosing Almere as their business location. There is a growing cluster of non-Dutch and Dutch companies involved in biotechnology and medical technology. And it is already a popular base for pan-European sales and distribution organisations.
Almere has expanded into the fastest growing centre of the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area. And the ambitious city is keen to keep its edge.
Contact
City of Almere
P.O. Box 200, 1300 AE Almere, The Netherlands
T +31 36 539 9487
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