Dutch export success
According to the latest results released by data gathering organisations Statistics Netherlands (Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek, CBS) and Eurostat, the Netherlands is the second largest exporter of goods and the fifth-largest exporter of services in the European Union (EU).
Strong statistics
According to the CBS, the total value of Dutch exports of goods in 2009 was 309 billion euros. This total was only second to Germany. Additionally, the Netherlands was the fifth-largest exporter of services in the EU, worth a value of almost 82 billion euros. This surpassed nations such as Italy, Belgium and Ireland.
The most important services exported by the Netherlands include sectors such as research & development, consultancy, architecture and engineering.
International trade hub
The prominent position the Netherlands enjoys as one of the main exporting nations in Europe reflects the importance of the country as an international trade hub. The Netherlands is noted for its open economy and its strong orientation towards international trade. It is also one of the leading European nations for attracting foreign investment and has run a sizable current account surplus for years.
Amsterdam attraction
Within the Netherlands, the Amsterdam Area is particularly internationally oriented, providing a multilingual and highly qualified workforce. More than 80% of residents speak English and approximately 40% have a university degree or higher form of professional education.
International service industry
The Amsterdam Area is also home to a large pool of international service providers. Many multinationals in the fields of legal affairs, media, ICT, pensions and tax consultancy have chosen to base offices here. Another positive is the well-developed supply chain industry. All of this combines to ensure businesses in the area are served efficiently.
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