Getting down to business

FACTS & FIGURES ABOUT THE NETHERLANDS

Name of country: Kingdom of the Netherlands
Form of government: Constitutional monarchy, Parliamentary democracy
Head of state: Her Majesty Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard, Queen of the Netherlands
Head of government: Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende
Capital: Amsterdam (pop. 750,000)
Seat of government: The Hague (pop. 500,000)
Total land area: 13,000 sq.miles (1/6 of Kansas)
Netherlands population: 16,4 million (6 x Kansas)
GDP: $ 39,500.- per head
Netherlands GDP: $ 650 billion
Main exports: Machinery & equipment, Chemicals, Fuels, Foodstuffs, Services
Main imports: Machinery & transport equipment, Chemicals, Foodstuffs, Fuels, Clothing

UNITED STATES / NETHERLANDS TRADE FIGURES

4.2 % ($ 12.5 billion) of all Dutch exports ($ 300 billion) go to the U.S.
7.8 % ($ 20 billion) of all Dutch imports ($ 256 billion) come from the U.S.
The U.S. has a U.S. $ 7.5 Billion trade surplus with the Netherlands.

DUTCH COMPANIES IN THE UNITED STATES

800 Dutch companies are responsible for over 350,000 jobs in the U.S.
The Netherlands is the third largest investor in the U.S.

Skippy Peanut Butter, Hellman’s Mayonaise, Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, Dove Soap, Lipton Tea, Slim Fast Nutrition, Philips Electronics and Shell Oil are made by Dutch companies.

FIVE REASONS TO INVEST IN THE NETHERLANDS

- Strategic location in Europe
- International business environment
- Superior logistics and technology infrastructure
- Highly educated, multilingual & flexible workforce
- Business friendly tax climate