Little India in Amstelveen
The Amsterdam Metropolitan Area attracts Indian companies and Indian expats. Media coverage in the Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant acknowledged the popularity of the Amsterdam Area with Indian expats.
Amstelveen
Amstelveen, part of the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area, is particularly popular. Lavesh Lakhina, president of the Indian Expat Society calls the city the “Little India” of the Netherlands.
Over the past four years, the number of Indian expats in Amstelveen has grown from 230 to 1137 people.
Amsterdam Area attracts Indian firms
Half of the Indian firms that are active in the Netherlands are based in the Amsterdam Area. Indian companies such as Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Infosys Technology Limited have set up their European and Benelux head offices in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area. They tend to bring key staff with them.
Charms of the Amsterdam Area
Reasons for the popularity of the Amsterdam Area with Indian firms have to do with its unique location and state-of-the-art infrastructure. Amsterdam is regarded as the gateway to Europe and the fiscal climate is very attractive for foreign companies. There is a 30% ruling for expats; 30% of the salary of many Indian expats is tax free.
Amsterdam is accessible. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol offers a large number of direct flights to both intercontinental and European destinations, including daily flights to several Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad.
Amsterdam’s labour costs are low, compared to the UK, Belgium and Germany. According to a benchmark for head offices done by Ernst & Young, Amsterdam has the lowest social contribution at 12.5%, paid by the employer, and offers attractive performance incentives.
Amsterdam inbusiness
Amsterdam inbusiness offers Indian companies the opportunity to expand economically and tries to keep Indian expats happy. The Indian expat society caters to the needs of the expanding Indian community in the Amsterdam Area. The annual amsterdam inbusiness cricket event is organised by amsterdam inbusiness, with the support of the Dutch Cricket Association and the cricket club VRA in the Amsterdamse Bos.
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