Business Climate

"Coming from the United States, we've found the Europeans to be conservative in their business approach. The Dutch are more entrepreneurial....I don't know if we could have accomplished this anywhere else!"
Kent Lee, Founder & CEO, East View Information Services

A culture steeped in international business

The Netherlands has long been acknowledged for its conducive business environment. For example, IMD's 2010 World Competitiveness Online ranked the Netherlands well ahead of its key competitors in terms of its "lack of bureaucracy."

In addition, IMD found the Netherlands to have a legal and regulatory framework which encourages business competitiveness, and as a venue from which it is relatively easy to do business.

And, since 2003, Dutch government reforms have either eliminated or strongly committed to eliminate 4 billion euros of administrative burdens on business, making the Netherlands the first country to achieve a 25% reduction in administrative costs. To quote World Bank Group: "Dutch regulatory reform is among the world's best. It is well-known internationally as the most innovative initiative in cutting red tape."

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.