The Hague Chamber of Commerce Mark van Oosten, Senior Consultant International Trade 10 December, 2012 Presentation on behalf of the visit of the delegation from Uzebekistan

History of Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands  1800  Strengthening regional economy

The Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands today  Organisation  Roles (tasks)

The Chambers of Commerce in The Netherlands 12 Chambers Gooi-, Eem- en Flevoland Noord- Nederland Oost Nederland Centraal Gelderland Limburg Noordwest- Holland Amsterdam Den Haag Rotterdam Brabant Midden- Nederland Zuidwest- Nederland

The Chamber of Commerce in The Hague 3 main offices : Delft, The Hague ( 2 x), Leiden 4 Liason offices in: Lisse, Zoetermeer, Naaldwijk, Alphen aan de Rijn > 190,000 registrations > 40,000 export documents per year  200 employees  200,000 legalisations  15,000 entrepreneurs per month seek help of our specialists  19 million visitors to our website  entrepreneurs visit International Trade Day

The Structure of Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands  12 Chambers of Commerce as of 1 January 2008  Autonomous, all have its own board  All Chambers are members of Association of Chamber of Commerce, located in The Hague and Woerden  Chambers of Commerce are independent Bodies  Under supervision of Ministry of Economic Affairs, but is a non-Governmental organisation

Role of the Chamber of Commerce Focus on Small Medium Size Enterprises ( SMEs) Main tasks – 3 tasks 1.Registration of the Companies 2.Information to the Entrepreneurs 3.Economic Impulse to the region Registration Information Stimulation

Task 1. Registration of Companies All companies in the Netherlands must be registered in the formal Trade Register of the Chamber of Commerce We have a controlling and administration role All companies must be registered by law in the Chamber of Commerce with the following aims : a.For Information purpose b.For Jurisdiction purpose c.For Government Registration System – ( to synchronise with the Taxes department, Social security department and other governmental services)

Trade register  One national register  2,2 miljoen registrations  annual accounts  16 miljoen online requests for extract  12,5 miljoen extracts  3,5 miljoen annual mutations

Task 2 Information and Advice Three target groups: 1.Start ups 2.International trade 3.Selling and buying 1.We assist start ups by means of: tailor made advise coaching program (Coachpool), seminars

Task 2 Information and Advice 2.We assist international companies by means of: tailor made advise coaching program SIB, seminars Trade missions Export documents: such as Certificates of Origin and EUR1 Certificates 3.We assist selling or buying companies by means of: tailor made advise coaching program seminars

Facts and figures Business start ups  Ca starters  visitors to ‘Startersdag’  participants on seminar Start  Ca personal advice  1,75 miljoen visitors on webpage Starten Bedrijf op kvk.nl,  readers Startersmagazine, 80% satisfaction  students / scholars visits Internationalisation:  300 participants Starters in International Buisness  participants on seminars  visitors Week van de Ondernemer  personal advice  exportdocuments )

Task 3. Improving the regional economy CCI is a participant in various projects for improving the business climate in the region or stimulating regional industry. These projects cover aspects such as road construction, allocating space for businesses in zoning plans and the reduction of the administrative burden. In The Hague region we focus on the following sectors and themes: Sectors:Themes: - Greenports- accessibility - Life and Health- education and labor market - High Tech Systems - space for businesses - Safety and security industry- Vital city centers - Secure - Rules and regulations

Some more figures  Fees reduced by 20% over last 10 years  Total budget 220 million euro (2/3 annual fees – 1/3 products and services)  44% of companies pay ca. € 43,-  99% of companies pay < € 150,-  Yearly 25 million visitors webpage kvk.nl  103 miljoen pageviews kvk.nl  Yearly 1,1 million phonecalls  s of entrepreneurs  Yearly visitors

Future of the Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands 1 Organization On the budget of the Ministry of Economic affairs Budget downsize Consequenses for services and products rendered

Westland Marketing  Changing sector  From family owned to multinational  From agricultural to high tech  Need for highly educated talent  Image problems

Target group  Students (university and business school  Inhabitants of Westland  Politics  Media

Major topics  Sustainabillity  Innovation  Entrepreneurship

Organisation  Foundation  5 board members  Advisory board  Director  3 employees Financiering  50% - 50% government – private companies  Budget 2012 € ,-

Activities  Program  TV Shows  Westland Super College  Colleges for students  Colleges for professors  Job market  Westland Experience  Summer Courses  Company visits

The end