Business Climate
The Netherlands has long been acknowledged for its conducive business environment. The World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness report 2009, ranked the Netherlands well ahead of its key competitors in terms of "Business Efficiency."
The Netherlands has one of the most politically stable and pro-business governments in Europe. It offers an advantageous business climate with its internationally oriented business mindset, a sophisticated financial sector, supportive corporate tax culture and straightforward regulatory climate. Companies based in the Netherlands also have developed the best overall corporate governance standards in the world.
Further complemented by an excellent physical and telecommunications infrastructure and a high quality of life, The Netherlands puts foreign companies at Europe's front door.
In recent years, many large and smaller foreign–owned companies have chosen the Netherlands as the location for its European headquarters. Below you may find some of the main reasons why international businesses have chosen the Netherlands as the location for their business:
- Internationally orientated business environment
- Stable political, economical and fiscal climate
- Low corporate tax rate
- Highly developed banking, law and tax practice
- Absence of withholding tax on interest and royalty payments
- Holding and finance company focused
- World-class stock exchange and international financial centre
- Renowned banking and law firms have offices in the Netherlands
- Dynamic force in electronic commerce, communications and outsourcing
- Excellent infrastructure (e.g. world’s largest seaport and one of the biggest airports in the world);
- Central geographical position and good accessibility to the rest of Europe
- A new market for their products
- Low set-up and maintenance costs
- Highly educated and multilingual (English speaking) workforce
- Multi-cultural society
