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It doesn't matter whether it's as close as Windsor or as far as Hong Kong or Zimbabwe, the Michigan District Export Council has someone who's been there and done that.  We encourage you to give us a try.

Netherlands

Market Overview

Why the Netherlands?

The Netherlands is a prosperous and open economy that is heavily dependent on foreign trade. The economy is noted for stable industrial relations, moderate inflation, a sizable account surplus, and an important role as a European transportation hub. Industrial activity is predominantly in food processing (e.g. Unilever and Heineken), chemicals (e.g. DSM), petroleum refining (e.g. Shell), and electrical machinery (e.g. Philips). A highly mechanized agricultural sector employs no more than 4% of the labor force, but provides large surpluses for the food-processing industry and for exports. The Dutch rank third worldwide in value of agricultural exports, behind the US and France. Other important parts of the economy include international trade, banking and transport. The United States is the largest foreign investor in the Netherlands and has its largest bilateral trade surplus in the world with this country.

The Netherlands’ strategic location, the relative ease of doing business, the high level of proficiency in English, and its world-class and user-friendly transportation and distribution infrastructure make the Netherlands an ideal market and European operations location for U.S. companies. The Netherlands has capitalized on its location and advanced economy to become one of the top dozen trading countries in the world. The Netherlands is a geographically small, densely populated (16.4 million people) country occupying a highly strategic commercial location that makes it the “Gateway to Europe”. Over 160 million consumers (roughly one third of the population of the expanded European Union of 25 Member States) reside within a 300-mile radius of Rotterdam.

The Netherlands is a key center within the global business network with an advanced infrastructure geared towards the transportation of goods, people, and electronic data. Its core distribution points include Rotterdam, the world's second largest port, and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, the fourth largest passenger and third largest cargo airport in Europe.

Netherlands at a Glance 

Best U.S. Export Prospects

1. Automotive Parts and Accessories
2. Construction Equipment (Bathroom Equipment)
3. Computer Services
4. Computer Software
5. Environmental Products
6. Medical Equipment
7. Safety and Security Equipment and Systems
8. Telecommunications Equipment
9. Telecommunication Services
10. Transport and Distribution Services

Click here to learn more about opportunities in the Netherlands.

Market Research

Read more about the latest market opportunities for U.S. exporters:

$363 million for Better Air Quality (link to http://www.buyusainfo.net/docs/x_9218077.pdf)
Airport Security Equipment (link to http://www.buyusainfo.net/docs/x_736959.pdf)
Civil Aviation in the Netherlands (link to http://www.buyusainfo.net/docs/x_1830004.pdf)
Defense Industry Equipment Report (link to http://www.buyusainfo.net/docs/x_3354849.pdf)
Diagnostics Products Market (link to http://www.buyusainfo.net/docs/x_9138130.pdf)
Dutch Book More Airline Reservations to the United States (link to http://www.buyusainfo.net/docs/x_1564509.pdf)
Generic Pharmaceuticals (link to http://www.buyusainfo.net/docs/x_7023410.pdf)
Logistics Services in the Netherlands (link to http://www.buyusainfo.net/docs/x_5874540.pdf)
Orthopedic Equipment (link to http://www.buyusainfo.net/docs/x_7794639.pdf)
Seaport Security Equipment (link to http://www.buyusainfo.net/docs/x_7636031.pdf)
The Mobile Communications Market (link to http://www.buyusainfo.net/docs/x_6504786.pdf)
The Netherlands Computer Software Market (link to http://www.buyusainfo.net/docs/x_6373301.pdf)

Contact us today for more market research reports!

Michigan Exports to the Netherlands

Upcoming Events and Activities

From November 15-17, 2005, the Netherlands will host the Marine Equipment Trade Show – METS 2005: the world's largest trade exhibition of marine equipment and accessories for the leisure marine and small commercial craft sector. The U.S. Commercial Service office The Netherlands will be present and offer commercial support to U.S. companies. Click here to read more about METS and other trade events in the Netherlands.

Video Market Briefings - We are offering FREE, live, interactive videoconference with the U.S. Commercial Service The Netherlands to explore business opportunities in the country. This videoconference targets a specific industry and a local Dutch expert will be invited to participate in the briefings.

Photo: Emasmus brug bridge

Calendar:

October 2005 - Services
November 2005 - Safety & Security
December 2005 - Automotive
January 2006 - ICT
February 2006 - Medical

For more information, please contact alan.ras@mail.doc.gov

Success Story

The U.S. Commercial Service helps AIRINC to fly high

When AIRINC, an FAA repair station and supplier of aircraft parts, was looking to expand its business overseas, it enlisted the service of the U.S. Commercial Service. Since 2001, the Birmingham U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC) has been instrumental in helping AIRINC with their export strategy. In September 2002, the company participated in the Mobile Alabama Trade Mission to the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, which was an initiative of the Alabama Chamber of Commerce. AIRINC's participation in the trade mission was possible with the aid of a grant from the Alabama DEC's Trade Mission Trade Show Grant Program. Commercial Specialist Keylard met with Greg Guzman (VP Marketing and Sales) at the Farnborough (U.K.) Air Show three months before the Mobile Alabama Trade Mission was scheduled to visit the Netherlands. They discussed business development strategies and last minute trade mission details at the air show.                                                                     Photo: color bulb field in the Netherlands

For the Mobile Trade Mission to the Netherlands, Keylard set up appointments for Mr. Guzman with the high-level officials from Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM), Air Holland, and Netherlands Aerospace Group. Keylard continued to maintain close contact with AIRINC after the trade mission had departed the Netherlands. She also put Guzman in touch with the aircraft parts buyers at the two Dutch airlines Transavia and Martinair. This reaped considerable reward for AIRINC: earlier this year, Guzman disclosed the receipt of an order from KLM worth over $50,000. He attributed this order directly to AIRINC's participation in the Mobile Alabama Trade Mission, and the help of the U.S. Commercial Service.

Contact us:

The U.S. Commercial Service staff in the Netherlands is ready to help you succeed in the Dutch marketplace. Contact us today and let us assist you in doing business in the Netherlands. Click here to see our staff listing.

U.S. Commercial Service
Senior Commercial Officer: August Maffry
Embassy of the United States of America
Lange Voorhout 102
2514 EJ The Hague
The Netherlands
Phone: +31 70 310-2417
Fax: +31 70 363-2985
E-mail: the.hague.office.box@mail.doc.gov

Visit our website at www.buyusa.nl

Additional Information:

For an overview of the Netherlands, please see: Netherlands WebGuide.

For an overview of the Information and Communications Sector, please see: http://www.emich.edu/ict_usa/NETHERLANDS.HTM. 

Date Updated: March 27, 2007