• GDP: US$606.7 billion. (OECD, 2004).
• Main exports: Machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels and foodstuffs.
• Main imports: Machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs and clothes.
• Main trade partners: EU countries (mainly Germany, France, UK and Belgium).

The Netherlands has a typical developed European economy. It is also the world's third-largest exporter of farm produce (after the USA and France), accounting for 16 per cent of total export earnings. Dairy products, meat, vegetables and flowers are the main products. Industry is concentrated in petrochemicals and plastics, pharmaceuticals, synthetic fibres and food processing. There is also a wide range of light industries, including the manufacturing of electronic goods, although the historically strong textiles has been in long-term decline. By contrast, The Netherlands has developed a strong base in advanced technological industries including computing, telecommunications and biotechnology. Deposits of natural gas (the only mineral resource of any size) meet much of the country's energy needs. Service industries are also important, representing 70 per cent of the economy, notably transport through the world's busiest container port at Rotterdam. The Netherlands has derived substantial benefits from its membership of the EU, with whose members the bulk of its trade takes place. It has generally been a strong proponent of further economic integration within Europe and joined the Eurozone upon its inception in January 1999. In 2003, the government was forced to increase taxes and cut spending in order to stay within the limits imposed by Maastricht criteria which govern the operation of the Eurozone. The global economic slow-down which took hold in 2001 reduced annual GDP growth to 1.5 per cent, and in the following year to just 0.2 per cent. In 2003, the Dutch economy contracted but in 2004 growth improved to 1.2 per cent. Inflation has declined from 5.1 per cent in 2001 to its present level of 1.25 per cent; unemployment has climbed gently to 6.75 per cent. The Netherlands is a founder member of the Benelux Economic Union and of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Appointments are necessary and visiting cards are exchanged. The Dutch expect a certain standard of dress for business occasions. Best months for business visits are March to May and September to November. Practical information can be obtained from the Economic Information Service in The Hague (tel: (70) 379 8933; website: www.hollandtrade.com). The majority of Dutch businesspeople speak extremely good English, and promotional literature can be disseminated in English. However, interpreters can be booked through Conference Interpreters, Jan van Goyenkade 11, NL-1075 HP Amsterdam (tel: (20) 625 2535; website: www.conferenceinterpreters.com). Alternatively, they can be booked through The Netherlands Chamber of Commerce in the country of departure. (There are Netherlands-British Chambers of Commerce in London, Manchester and The Hague, and Netherlands-US Chambers of Commerce in New York and Chicago.) There are also many secretarial agencies in The Netherlands, such as International Secretaries, who will be able to supply short-term help to visiting business travellers. The principal venue for trade fairs is the RAI Exhibition Centre in Amsterdam. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1700.

The largest conference and exhibition centres are RAI in Amsterdam and the Jaarbeurs in Utrecht. There are smaller centres in The Hague, Rotterdam and Maastricht, as well as many hotels with facilities. The fourth-largest conference centre in The Netherlands is Noordwijk, where the largest hotel has a helipad; this small seaside town has won prizes for its clean beaches. Amsterdam and The Hague both have business centres. For further information, contact The Netherlands Board of Tourism in London (see Top Things To Do).

The Hague Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Konigskade 30, 2502 LS Gravenhage, The Hague, The Netherlands
Tel: (70) 328 7100.
Website: www.denhaag.kvk.nl

Amsterdam Chamber of Commerce and Industry
De Ruyterkade 5, 1000 CW Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Tel: (20) 531 4000.
Website: www.amsterdam.kvk.nl

The Netherlands Chamber of Commerce
Imperial House, 7th floor, 15-19 Kingsway, London WC2B 6UN, UK
Tel: (020) 7539 7960.
Website: www.nbcc.co.uk

The Hague Convention Bureau (Information on Conferences/Conventions)
PO Box 85456, 2508 CD The Hague, The Netherlands
Tel: (70) 361 8888.
E-mail: conventionbureau@spdh.net