Business
23 Sep 2010
The Dutch economy is open and internationally oriented. For centuries, international trade has been a key element of the Dutch economic system.
Located in the delta through which several major European rivers empty into the North Sea, Holland was ideally situated to become a centre of trade and transport for all of western Europe. The 17th century is known as the Golden Age of Dutch history, with Dutch ships carrying 90 per cent of all goods in Europe.
Today, international trade is still the main engine of economic growth in Holland. In fact, Holland is the 16th largest economy in the world and one of the ten leading exporting nations.
Holland’s most important trading partners are its neighbours Germany, Belgium, the UK and France. In 2009, Holland was the EU’s second largest export country after Germany.
Service industry, agriculture and creative sector
The Dutch economy is particularly strong in the service industry, the agricultural products sector and the creative sector.
The Dutch economy is currently making a shift from a production-based to a service-oriented economy. Today, over 80 per cent of Dutch economic activity is service-based.
Holland is also one of the three largest exporters of agricultural produce in the world. One-fifth of all Dutch exports fall within the food products and flower sector. The flower sector owes its strong position to the country’s climate, the availability of high-tech production methods and the proximity of 500 million consumers across Europe.
In recent years, Dutch design has become an international phenomenon. From fashion and architecture to music and new media, the sector is filled with talent.
