Business destination - HOLLAND Pioneers in international business Henk van der Zwan Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands October 9, 2008

The contents of the presentation I The Netherlands at a glance – basic information II The Netherlands compared to Estonia III The Netherlands’ economy IV The Netherlands trade with Estonia V How to find relevant business information about the Netherlands

The Netherlands at a glance (1/3)

The Netherlands at a glance (2/3) Form of government: constitutional monarchy, parliamentary democracy Head of state: Queen Beatrix In the Netherlands there is 12 provinces + two dependencies: Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles The capital is Amsterdam (in the province of Noord Holland) The government and the Royal House are seated in The Hague (the province of Zuid-Holland) Largest cities: Amsterdam: 743,393 inhabitants Rotterdam: 599,859 inhabitants The Hague: 472,087 inhabitants Utrecht: inhabitants

The Netherlands at a glance (3/3) Low-lying country, with about 27% of its area and 60% of its population located below sea level - 2/3 of country permanently flooded if not for engineering ingenuity 70% of GDP earned below sea level One of world’s highest population densities The world’s sixth-larger exporter The second largest exporter of agriculture goods (after US) The seventh-largest recipient of foreign investments in the world

The Netherlands and Estonia In May 2008, Queen Beatrix visited Estonia

The Netherlands compared to Estonia (1/3) The Kingdom of the Netherlands Republic of Estonia Population (UN, 2007)16.14 million1.34 million Area sq km sq km Density (people per sq km) Life expectancy (UN)78 years (men) 82 years (women) 66 years (men) 77 years (women) CurrencyEuroKroon GDP per capita in 2007 (WB) USD USD LanguagesDutch (official), Frisian (official) Estonian (official)

The Netherlands compared to Estonia (2/3) The Kingdom of the Netherlands Republic of Estonia Economic growth (2007) 3.5 %6.3 % Inflation rate (2007)1.6 %6.6 % Working population7 606 million655 thousand Unemployed (2007)4.5%4.7% Structure of GDP 70 % from services, 27 % from industry, 3 % from agriculture 68 % from services 29 % from industry 3 % from agriculture Export partners:GER 25%; BEL 12.5%; UK 8.9%; FRA 8.2%; ITA 5.0%; US 5.0% FIN 18%; GER 13%; SWE 10%; RUS 10%; LIT 6%

The Netherlands compared to Estonia (3/3) The Kingdom of the Netherlands Republic of Estonia Main export commodities Machinery and equipment, chemicals and fuels, foodstuffs Machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, wood and articles of wood Import partnersGER 19.4%; BEL 10.9%; US 8.3%; CHN 8.1%; UK 6.2% FIN 17.5 %; SWE 13%; LAT 11.5%; RUS 8%; LIT 6% Main import commodities Machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs, clothing Machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, transport equipment

The Netherlands compared to Estonia: Rankings The NetherlandsEstonia Ease of Doing Business 2008 (by the World Bank Group) 26 th22 nd Index of Economic Freedom 2008 (by the Heritage Foundation) 13 th12 th The Global Competitiveness Ranking (by the World Economic Forum) 10 th27 th The Networked Readiness Index (by the World Economic Forum) 6 th20 th Corruption Perception Index 2007 (by the Transparency International 7 th28 th

The Netherlands’ Economy – Gateway to Europe

The Netherlands – Gateway to Europe An ideal location from where to penetrate markets throughout all over the world More than 6,000 foreign companies have taken advantage of the location by establishing operations in the Netherlands. 51% of all European Distribution Centres Why? Strategic location in Europe - approx. 170 million people live within a 500-kilometer radius of Amsterdam...+ outward-looking business culture and productive, skilled and multilingual workforce

Punching above economic weight Seeking consensus, building bridges The world’s first multinational was the United Dutch East Asia Company Gateway to Europe: reaching 500 million consumers Need land? We make it! World’s third agricultural exporter Climate too cold? We make it warm! Leader in cut flowers and bulbs Number of Dutch companies leaders in their industries

Peak performance in the delta Combining infrastructure, R&D, private sector leadership Investing more in excellent areas: –Amsterdam area Schiphol Airport and Port of Amsterdam, energy –Rotterdam area Port of Rotterdam chemical industry –Southwest Logistics and tourism –East Food, Health and Technology Valleys –North Two ports and Energy Valley –South Embedded systems and nanotechnology

FDI and key export sectors – the proof of the pudding (1/2) Electronicsnanotechnology and embedded systems Life sciencesfood and human health, strong R&D Chemical industryspecialty chemicals, novel materials Delta technologyflood protection, hydraulic engineering Water technologysanitation and agricultural purposes

FDI and key export sectors – the proof of the pudding (2/2) FoodEurope’s food and nutrition delta Flowersgenetics, greenhouses, growing, auctioning Infrastructureland reclamation, coastal design Environmentsoil remediation and environmental advice Transport equipmentluxury yachts, aerospace, aviation Machine industryindustrial refrigeration and food systems

Trade relations between The Netherlands and Estonia

Trade between The Netherlands and Estonia Main Estonian exports to the Netherlands in the first 9 month of 2007: 1. Mineral products – 20.2% 2. Machinery and equipment – 16.5% 3. Wood and articles of wood – 12.4% 4. Miscellaneous manufactured articles % 5. Live animals and animal products – 9.1 % Main Dutch exports to Estonia in the first 9 month of 2007: 1. Machinery and equipment – 24.9 % 2. Chemical products -13.7% 3. Vehicles, aircraft and vessels- 10.8% 4. Vegetable products – 9.7% 5. Plastics, rubber and articles thereof 7.8%

Dutch investment profile in Estonia In September 2007 The Netherlands ranked third biggest foreign investor (after Sweden and Finland) to Estonia. The share of investments amounted to 5 % of Estonian total foreign direct investments to Estonia. Spheres most preferred by the investors have been: Financial services – 20 % wholesale and retail trade -15 % manufacturing -22 % real estate, renting and business activities -11 % transport, storage and communication -8 % Some excamples of the Dutch investment: Linxtelecom, Tallinna Vesi, Keila Draca, Kunda Nordic Tsemnet, Vopac EOS

How to find relevant business information about the Netherlands

A basic checlist before a market entry to the Netherlands Is there a market for my product? Does my product meet commercial and legal requirements? What are the most effective distribution channels for my product? Which promotional activities are most relevant for my product? How can I find the right business partner? Transport and packaging? VAT, Customs and Excise

The most important information gateway: (1/7)

– Holland information (2/7)

Market Information (3/7)

– Market Information Sector Analyses (4/7) This page contains general fact sheets and in-depth analyses of different sectors of the Dutch economy –Biotechnology –Creative Industry –Environmental technologies –Foods and Stimulants –Horticulture –Infrastructure –Machinery and Equipment –Services –Sustainable Energy –Water

– Market Information Made in Holland magazines (5/7) Made in Holland magazines are published by the EVD. Articles, interviews, news updates and relevant sector organisations can be found: All editions are available in English, selected issues have been published in multiple languages Since 2004 there have been published 26 different sector specific editions like: Dutch ICT, Dutch automotive industry, Dutch sport and innovation, Dutch sanitation information, Dutch Life Science, Dutch Supply Chain Logistics, Dutch Design products, Delta Technology etc.

Business information 6/7)

– Trade Enquiry (7/7)

Other information gateways (1/6) The Agency for International Business and Cooperation (EVD) is the central organ of the Dutch government responsible for promoting internationalisation The agency provides companies with information and services critical for the pursuit of new opportunities in all markets Estonian country officer: Mr. Rob Sterkman, Visiting Estonia November 3 – 7,

Other information gateways (2/6) The Netherlands Chamber of Commerce manages the Dutch trade register. International trade consultants of the Dutch Chambers of Commerce can provide you with the information about the Dutch exporters. The list of international consultants: n/consulentinternationalehandel/Consulentinternationalehand el.asp?refererAliasStat=consulent n/consulentinternationalehandel/Consulentinternationalehand el.asp?refererAliasStat=consulent In total there is 12 regional Chambers + central Chamber of Commerce. In the Netherlands it is compulsory to be a member of the Chamber of Commerce More information in English:

Other information gateways (3/6) General trade Biotechnology enquiries Environment enquiries Food & agriculture enquiries Innovation

Other information gateways (4/6) The Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) - helping and advising foreign companies who wish to take advantage of the Dutch business environment as a strategic base to cover Europe. NIFA provides information and practical assistance free of charge and on a confidential basis. » From NFIA’s Knowledge Centre (accessible via their webpage) it is possible to enter your specific request or download a various range of Fact Sheets about the Netherlands

Other information gateways (5/6) Embassy of the Kingdom ot the Netherlands in Tallinn Ms Kadri Pedas, Trade Attachè

Other useful organisations (6/6) Association of intermediaries: Netherlands franchise association: The Dutch dialogue marketing association: Market Research Association: Most important trade fair organisers: (Utrecht) (Amsterdam)

Pioneers in international business