Business Environment

The Netherlands has long been acknowledged for its conducive business environment. For example, IMD's 2005 World Competitiveness Yearbook ranks the Netherlands well ahead of its key competitors in terms of Business Efficiency.

Also, in 2005, A.T. Kearney/Foreign Policy magazine ranked the Netherlands fifth worldwide, in its 'Globalization Index.' And the World Bank Group praised the Netherlands business-friendly regulatory environment in its 2004 Doing Business report.

All this recognition is well earned. The Netherlands has one of the EU's most politically stable and pro-business governments. Its economy is internationally oriented. Its financial sector is sophisticated. Its regulatory climate is simple and straightforward.

And its real estate environment is also attractive, with lower annual costs than many Western European nations including Great Britain, Germany, France and Denmark.

Capgemini also ranked the Netherlands sixth among 28 EU nations for energy infrastructure, fresh water transport, gas infrastructure and telephony network. The Netherlands is one of the most "wired" countries in the world. It is home to Europe's largest internet hub - 62% of the Dutch population and 83% of Dutch businesses have internet access. The Netherlands also ranks among top EU nations for the speed, quality and reliability of its cable and digital systems, as well as its telecommunications network. Call completion rates are high. Response times are fast. The fiber-optic network is 100% digital. And an expanding array of providers is helping to steadily decrease tariffs, further improving cost competitiveness. With all these advantages, the Netherlands emerges as the ideal environment for your pan-European distribution center.