The Netherlands is highly dependent on foreign trade. Because of the world slow-down, the IMF forecasts a GDP growth rate of -3% for 2009. Nevertheless unemployment is structurally low and will increase less than elsewhere in the European Union. As a consequence, household consumption will continue to sustain the market.

The Netherlands is world's second largest exporter of agricultural products. The manufacturing sector makes up 13.9 percent of GDP and the services sector is comparatively large. Financial services are performing relatively well and the information technology industry is innovative has a large number of competitive software developers. Product exports are mostly electrical machinery, mineral fuels, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. The USA is the 5th export and 4th import partner of the country.

Foreign investors will find superior logistics and technology infrastructures and a highly educated, multilingual and flexible workforce. Since January 2007 the Dutch tax environment for international companies has become even more attractive. The website of the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency offers extensive information about investing in the country, including links to its offices in the U.S.

Holland Trade is the official website of the Agency for International Business and Cooperation (EVD), the trade promotion agency of the Dutch government. The site offers extensive information about doing business in the Netherlands, as well as a “Directory for conducting business with Dutch Companies,” an extensive directory of Dutch companies involved in international business.

And the website of the U.S. Commercial Service in the Netherlands offers extensive information about the markets and business culture there.

If that's not enough, you'll also find plenty of good research at the Netherlands Mini Portal, a feature of the FITA Web site. The Netherlands Mini Portal has an overview of Netherlands, with facts about the language, currency, climate, etc., plus more specific information about the economy, markets, taxes, labor market indicators, and tips on doing business in Netherlands. The Netherlands Mini Portal is one of many research gateways at the FITA site. To find Mini Portals for other regions or countries, just click on "Country Profiles" from within a Mini Portal, or at the FITA home page.

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