Exporter Guide

NETHERLANDS
Country Brief March 2011

This document is one of a series of free information tools for exporters produced by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. New Zealand Trade and Enterprise provides a wide range of standard services and sophisticated solutions that assist businesses through every stage of the export process. For information or advice, phone New Zealand Trade and Enterprise on 0800 555 888, visit www.nzte.govt.nz, or contact your New Zealand Trade and Enterprise client manager.

CONTENTS
KEY INDICATORS OVERVIEW POLITICAL IMPORTS AND EXPORTS SECTOR OPPORTUNITIES REGULATORY ISSUES TAXATION FREIGHT THE NETHERLANDS AS A LOGISTICS HUB INTO EUROPE VISA REQUIREMENTS CULTURAL AND BUSINESS TIPS HOLIDAYS USEFUL WEBSITES CONTACTS 3 3 5 5 7 11 13 13 14 14 15 16 17 17

2/

Exporter Guide | NETHERLANDS | Country Brief | October 2010

KEY INDICATORS
ECONOMIC INDICATOR Population GDP (Official Exchange Rate) GDP Per Capita (PPP) GDP Growth Rate (Real) Inflation Total Imports Total Exports Currency Exchange Rate NETHERLANDS 16.56 million US$770.3 billion (2010 est.) $40,500 (2010 est.) 1.7% (2010 est.) 1.1% (2010 est.) US$543.8 billion (2010) US$602.8 billion (2010) Euro () 1 = US$1.41 1 = NZ$1.87 (as of 28 March 2011)

Source: CIA World Factbook, Eurostat (via Trade Map), www.xe.com.

OVERVIEW
Netherlands and New Zealand The Netherlands' strategic location within Europe, a population with strong language and entrepreneurial skills, quality infrastructure, and an open and outward looking economy combine to make it an attractive "Gateway to Europe" for New Zealand companies. Relations between New Zealand and the Netherlands are strengthened by the significant number of Dutch immigrants that have settled in New Zealand, primarily during the second half of the last century. There are currently more than 130,000 people of Dutch descent living in New Zealand. Trade between the Netherlands and New Zealand is moderate, with the Netherlands ranked as New Zealands 21st most significant bilateral trade partner for the year ending June 2010. However, the Netherlands is the largest European investor in New Zealand, reflecting its strong agricultural traditions and the presence of important multinationals in the Netherlands (e.g. Shell, Unilever, and Rabobank).i Economy The Netherlands has developed into a well diversified economy, whose strengths lie in its services sectors. The Dutch economy has been a free-market system for the last two decades, with the government actively reducing its role in the economy to regulation and taxation. The economy is also characterised by moderate unemployment and a sizeable

3/

Exporter Guide | NETHERLANDS | Country Brief | October 2010

current account surplus. However, the global economic downturn adversely affected economic prospects and the Dutch economy went into recession in 2009 contracting by 4 percent. It is expected that the economic recovery will be very slow, with estimated growth to be around 1.5 percent until 2013.ii Industry The services sector has shown marked growth and has steadily contributed to GDP, while agriculture and industry have declined in their percentage contribution to GDP. Nearly 80 percent of the Dutch workforce is engaged in the services sector, in areas such as transportation, financial services (including banking and insurance) and business services, and goods distribution. Despite their current decline, the industries are a major component of the economy, with energy companies gaining high profits due to the increase in global energy prices. Other industrial activities include food processing, chemicals, oil refining and electrical machinery. Agriculture in the Netherlands is also highly modernised and efficient, and the sector is still highly profitable.ii Investment and foreign trade Owing to its key geographic location, the Netherlands has been able to establish itself as a gateway to the trade of Europe. Around 80 percent of Dutch exports go to other nations within the EU and 70 percent of goods imported into the Netherlands come from the EU. Germany is the Netherlands most significant export and import partner, receiving around 25 percent of the Netherlands exports and supplying around 17 percent of the Netherlands total imports. The trade activity of the Netherlands is highly developed, with special focus on food processing, chemicals, oil refinery and electrical machinery. The agricultural industry is highly mechanised, and although the sector employs a very low percentage of the work force, it produces large surpluses for export and ranks the third highest worldwide in terms of agricultural exports.ii The government does not discriminate between foreign and domestic companies, allowing foreign investors access to the same privileges and obligations as their Dutch counterparts. The government has encouraged joint ventures between foreign investors and Dutch companies and the introduction of newer production techniques and management skills. The Netherlands has also set up the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) which aids and assists foreign firms to invest in the Netherlands.ii Compared to many other European countries, the legal and administrative hurdles when setting up a business in the Netherlands are quite low. The Netherlands had a total of NZ$4,614 million in New Zealand investments in 2009.iii

4/

Exporter Guide | NETHERLANDS | Country Brief | October 2010

POLITICAL
The Dutch government is a parliamentary democracy with the Queen as the head of the state. After a turbulent period in Dutch politics, Mark Ruttes Liberal Party became the first minority administration since the 1970s in October 2010. Together with its coalition partner the Christian-Democratic Appeal and parliamentary support from the antiestablishment Freedom party, the primary challenge for Rutte will be to improve government finances. The parties have agreed on 18 billion of fiscal cuts by 2015 in order to return the budget deficit to balance. The cuts are likely to fall on foreign aid, the civil service, healthcare and other social security benefits.iv

IMPORTS AND EXPORTS

The Netherlands recorded a trade surplus of US$59 billion for the year 2010 and has sustained strong surpluses over the past ten years. The Netherlands derives more than two-thirds of GDP from merchandise trade and is the world's fifth-greatest natural gas exporter. Imports primarily consist of machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs and clothing.v TOP TEN IMPORTS NETHERLANDS 2010 Mineral fuels, oils, distillation products, etc Machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers, etc Electrical, electronic equipment Pharmaceutical products Vehicles other than railway, tramway Optical, photo, technical, medical, etc apparatus Organic chemicals Iron and steel Plastics and articles thereof Aluminium and articles thereof TOTAL IMPORTS
Source: Eurostat (via Trade Map)

US$bn 102.75 76.75 67.75 29.45 24.31 20.37 17.34 13.55 13.09 7.60 543.79

5/

Exporter Guide | NETHERLANDS | Country Brief | October 2010

TOP TEN EXPORTS NETHERLANDS 2010 Machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers, etc Mineral fuels, oils, distillation products, etc Electrical, electronic equipment Pharmaceutical products Organic chemicals Plastics and articles thereof Optical, photo, technical, medical, etc apparatus Vehicles other than railway, tramway Iron and steel Live trees, plants, bulbs, roots, cut flowers etc TOTAL EXPORTS
Source: Eurostat (via Trade Map)

US$bn 91.63 88.93 71.47 29.26 25.62 23.56 20.58 17.70 16.91 11.14 602.79

The Netherlands was New Zealand's 18th most significant export destination and 23rd most significant supplier of imports in 2010. Exports to the Netherlands peaked at NZ$509 million in 2008, but fell to NZ$480 million during the 2009 global financial crisis. A moderate recovery can be observed in 2010 exports (NZ$494 million). New Zealand's most significant exports to the Netherlands tend to be agricultural: sheep meat, apples, cheese, wine, venison, onions and beef. Imports from the Netherlands tend to be bigger ticket items such as industrial machinery and trucks.vi NEW ZEALANDS TOP TEN EXPORTS TO NETHERLANDS 2010 Meat Edible fruit and nuts Aluminum Miscellaneous grain, seed, fruit Dairy, eggs, honey, etc Beverages Vegetables Wood Iron and steel Electrical Machinery Total imports
Source: Statistics New Zealand (via World Trade Atlas)

NZ$mn illi 132.60 53.49 52.04 39.48 31.33 23.22 20.72 17.65 14.55 13.71 493.79

6/

Exporter Guide | NETHERLANDS | Country Brief | October 2010

NEW ZEALANDS TOP TEN IMPORTS FROM NETHERLANDS 2010 Machinery Plastic Miscellaneous food Pharmaceutical products Optical, photographic and medical instruments Electrical machinery Vehicles, not railway Fertilisers Organic chemicals Food waste; animal feed Total imports
Source: Statistics New Zealand (via World Trade Atlas)

NZ$mn 71.55 31.97 29.72 24.32 16.51 11.75 11.55 9.83 7.74 6.69 309.42

SECTOR OPPORTUNITIES
As a multilingual, internationally-focused, trading country with an excellent infrastructure, the Netherlands offers an excellent entry point to business in the EU. There are good opportunities for New Zealand exports to the Netherlands in a number of sectors. Some examples are given below. Health and biotechnology Medical devices: The medical device market in the Netherlands is well developed and was valued at approximately 1,675 million in 2010 (or, around 100 per capita). The market is predicted to increase by 3.5 percent per year over in the next five years. The economic crisis resulted in a 4.0 percent contraction in the economy in 2009 and has increased the financial pressures on the health service. Due to falling contributions and rising expenditure, the health insurance system recorded a deficit of 2.2 billion in 2009, in contrast to a surplus of 0.6 billion in 2008. The volume of routine elective surgery continues to increase, albeit with strong downward pressure on costs. Independent treatment centres are continuing to increase their share of the market. Price competition amongst insurers and healthcare providers has increased substantially, resulting in one of the most market-oriented healthcare systems in Europe. There are plans for further cuts to healthcare spending. Biotechnology: The Netherlands has one of Europes largest biotech industries. The major biotechnology fields are human health (therapeutics, diagnostics, and prevention),

7/

Exporter Guide | NETHERLANDS | Country Brief | October 2010

general (Biofine chemicals, equipment, and the environment), and agri-food biotechnology (nutraceuticals, animal health, plants/seed, and animal feed). The nutritional research centre in Wageningen is one of the most important in Europe in terms of nutrition and nutritional components. Wageningen is also home to one of the worlds largest agri-food clusters the Dutch Food Valley. The Netherlands also has extensive expertise in plant breeding, particularly in the field of plant genomics. Large food and food ingredient companies are actively working together with the science community on food biotechnology. The Netherlands also has a highly developed industrial infrastructure in the chemical sector. The chemical industry aims to use more organic raw materials and reduce the dependency on petroleum-based raw materials over the next 25 years. The Netherlands strength in the areas of human health, agri-food biotechnology, research, and pro-international orientation, along with the fact that multinational pharmaceuticals are facing an innovation deficit, offers New Zealand companies opportunities to cooperate and form strategic alliances. The three main types of partnerships in the Netherlands are: licensing agreements research and development (R&D) partnerships marketing, sales and distribution agreements.

Production partnerships are also common practice. Information and communications technology (ICT) The Netherlands is the sixth largest ICT market in the European Union and has one of the best information technology (IT) and telecoms infrastructures in Europe. In addition, it holds a strong history of early adoption and technology savvy. The government is committed to growing the ICT sector and is encouraging growth through investment, cooperation and research. A number of international players, such as Cisco, are using the Netherlands as a base to access other European markets. On a global scale, the Netherlands ranks second in broadband networks, third in e-Readiness, fourth in terms of ICT services exports and fifth in the ICT Development Index of the International Telecommunication Union. Opportunities exist in software and computer services in particular, as well as in data communications, network equipment and consumer products. The 2009 ICT market volume was 29.1 billion in the Netherlands, representing 5.1 percent of the countrys gross domestic product. Furthermore, the ICT sector in the Netherlands has a 7.8 percent share in the economic added value of the business sector. Spending on telecom and internet represents approximately 54 percent of the ICT market, compared to 46 percent of IT expenditures. ICT investments accounted for 22.1 percent of the total

8/

Exporter Guide | NETHERLANDS | Country Brief | October 2010

gross investments in the Netherlands. In 2009, 28,500 ICT companies were active in the Netherlands. In the software market, the Dutch are interested in innovative solution. They are ready to deal with foreign suppliers (currently 65 percent of software is imported) and are very often prepared to deal in English. A number of New Zealand software exporters have gained initial experience and success in Continental Europe via the Dutch market. Areas of opportunity include security software, internet software and services, game software, CRM, ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), SCM (Supply Chain Management) and PDM (Product Data Management) software. Particular potential exists with small and medium sized companies which are increasingly adopting CRM, ERP and SCM packages. Growth in e-commerce and Internet usage has driven an increase in the services market, particularly due to a lack of in-house capacity, security concerns and businesses refocusing on core activities. Opportunities in related services including consulting, security services, desktop and network management, application hosting and outsourcing may exist. The Netherlands has always been the leading logistics hub for continental Europe and is home to some of the leading European logistics companies, system integrators and IT suppliers for traffic and transport. However, over the past years, the Netherlands' leading position has slowly been eroding due to the lack of innovation in the Dutch transport sector (according to a recent study commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of Transport). There is a strong demand for smart IT solutions that reduce operation costs and increase customer service in the transport and logistics area. In order to support development in ICT, the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency has developed a Technology Matchmaking Service aimed at matching foreign parties with Dutch companies for technical cooperation, joint ventures, licensing agreements, R&D and manufacturing programs. New Zealand companies interested in finding out more about this service should contact New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Marine industry The Netherlands is the fifth largest marine leisure market in Europe and one of the worlds leading superyacht builders. Annual revenue of the recreational marine industry is at 2.6 billion. The worlds largest sail yachts are built in the Netherlands. Dutch yards account for roughly 20 percent (in value) of new superyacht construction globally, with superyacht exports from the Netherlands accounting for more than 75 percent of export business in the Dutch boatbuilding industry. The vast majority of Dutch boat builders focus on semicustom displacement motoryachts up to 15 meters in length, mainly made out of steel. Boat ownership per household is 1 in 14, with total boats held at 518,000, of which approximately 60 percent are motorboats. The Dutch coastline extends some 451km, but boating is mostly confined to the inland waters. Between 2002 and 2007, the Dutch marine industry was growing by approximately five percent per annum, but dipped when

9/

Exporter Guide | NETHERLANDS | Country Brief | October 2010

the recession started mid-2008. Since then, the sales have declined by an estimated 20 to 25 percent, with superyacht construction almost coming to a halt. Signs of hope are now back on the horizon and order books for superyacht builders, boat builders, and marine equipment manufacturers have started to build up again. Opportunities may exist for New Zealand suppliers of aftermarket equipment, marine electronics and equipment destined for the new built and refit markets. The Netherlands is also the location of METS (www.metstrade.com), Europes leading marine equipment trade fair, held annually in mid-November. METS 2010 was attended by almost 19,000 visitors from 85 countries. About 50 percent of visitors were equipment distributors or boat manufacturers, and most visitors were looking for new products and innovations, or seeking and maintaining contacts. HISWA is the industry body for the recreational boat building industry in the Netherlands (www.hiswa.nl). Specialised manufacturing Energy efficiency technology: The Netherlands is at the forefront of utilisation of renewable resources for the production of energy wind energy and biogas, in particular. However, the Dutch government recognises that it needs to set more ambitious targets in order to meet emission targets set by the EU for 2020 and 2050. The lighting sector has been identified as an area for improvement, due to the high consumption of electricity for road and public space lighting, for which systems are often out-of-date and in need of replacement. The government has set itself ambitious targets for 2011, 2012 and 2013 to improve lighting efficiency in four areas: road, public spaces, business and household lighting. The overall objective is to reduce lighting electricity consumption by 20 percent in 2013 and 30 percent in 2020. Opportunities exist for New Zealand providers of energy efficient solutions targeted towards households and industrial users, in particular in the lighting sector. Opportunities in the biogas sector, as well as in the wind energy sector, exist for niche solutions. Food and beverage Wine: The Netherlands is New Zealands second most important wine market on the European continent and it is expanding (it grew almost 100 percent between 2005 and 2010). In 2010, New Zealand exports reached 3.17 million litres, 28 percent more than the year prior. While it is highly likely that some of this volume is re-exported to other EU countries rather than consumed in the Netherlands, it can still be said that this is significant market. Per capita consumption in the past 5 years has grown 5 percent to 21.7 litres per capita. Drivers of this growth are the aging population, with consumers aged 50+ making up 50 percent of the market, and a growing number of female wine drinkers.vii The most popular countries of origin are France, South Africa and Germany reaching

10/

Exporter Guide | NETHERLANDS | Country Brief | October 2010

more than 70 percent together. Australia ranks sixth and New Zealand 11th (by volume, 2009). Most wine is sold in supermarkets where price is an important factor. Around 60 percent of wine is sold below 3.50.viii For the past 5 years, market shares for the different wine varieties has been relatively stable with red wine realising around 55 percent market share, white 33 percent and ros 12 percent. Other opportunities The Dutch are interested in high quality, innovative goods and services. As such, the Netherlands may offer potential as a test market or as an entry point to other EU nations.

REGULATORY ISSUES
Some of the regulations New Zealand exporters need to be aware of are listed below. For more detailed information please consult with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise or seek legal advice where appropriate. Import barriers New Zealand exporters generally face very little difficulty in exporting their products to the Netherlands. The Dutch tendency to support a level playing field in trade matters and their depth of experience in trade positions them as the genuine "neutral" traders of Europe. However, as the Netherlands falls under wider EU trade policy, there are high or escalating tariffs for agricultural and manufactured products which may affect incentives for some exporters.ix Import quotas and licences As a member of the EU, the Netherlands has an attractive tariff for most non-agricultural items. Imports from the agricultural sector can have very high and sometimes prohibitive tariffs, whilst some products, including sheep meat and cheese, are subject to quota arrangements between the EU and New Zealand. Information on current tariff quotas is made available on-line on the European Community Data Dissemination System (DDS). This information is subject to constant change as a result of the daily operations which take place.x For more information, see the European Commission Taxation and Customs Union website: http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/dds/qotcau_en.htm Product liability Under EU law, the producer is liable for damage caused by a defect of its product. The victim must prove the existence of the defect and a causal link between defect and injury. A reduction of liability of the manufacturer is granted in cases of negligence on the part of

11/

Exporter Guide | NETHERLANDS | Country Brief | October 2010

the victim. For further information, visit the Liability section of the European Commission website: www.ec.europa.eu/enterprise/regulation/goods/liability_en.htm Marking and barcodes Information on the Dutch requirements can be found at www.gs1.nl. This is the website for GS1 Nederland, who promote, implement and support the effective use of EAN UCC standards in Dutch supply chains. Packaging and labelling Packing and labelling requirements need to be checked before offering product. Packing and labelling should generally be in Dutch. Label requirements can be heavily regulated, especially in the food and beverage and pharmaceutical sectors. For more information on labelling, see: http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/consumers/product_labelling_and_packagi ng/index_en.htm http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/index_en.htm

Standards As a member of the EU, the Netherlands applies the product standards and certification approval processes developed by the European Union. As part of the program to establish common standards for all member countries, the EU regulates key product areas to protect the health and safety of consumers, as well as the environment. The manufacturer or a representative must place a CE mark on all regulated products before they can be sold on the Netherlands. The international quality standard ISO 9000 is widely used. Tariffs and duties The EU Common External Customs Tariff applies, which is based on the International Harmonised System for classifying products. The average tariff applied to all products is under 1 percent. However, this rises to an average of 6.5 percent for agricultural products. To check tariffs for individual items, check on the following World Trade Organization website: www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tariffs_e/tariff_data_e.htm

12/

Exporter Guide | NETHERLANDS | Country Brief | October 2010

TAXATION
TYPES RATES

Corporate tax rates

20% for income between 040,000, 23% for 40,000200,000 and 25.5% for income exceeding 200,000 (from January 2011). Income is categorised and taxed within 3 boxes. Box 1 is income from employment and housing and is subject to progressive rates of 2.3% up to 52%. VAT is levied at a rate of 19% for most goods and services. 15% for dividends, 0% for interest, and 0% for royalties New Zealand and the Netherlands hold a Double Taxation Agreement. 1

Resident individual income tax

Value added tax (VAT) Withholding tax Double taxation

Source: Deloitte International Tax and Business Guide: Netherlands. www.deloitte.com.

FREIGHT
Air freight Schiphol airport in Amsterdam is a major European hub. Regional airports are located in Rotterdam, Eindhoven and Maastricht. There are numerous options in terms of routes and airlines for New Zealanders flying to the Netherlands, but air freight for fresh products may at times be limited depending on the season. Please check with your freight forwarder. Sea freight Rotterdam is one of the largest ports in the world. The port area runs from the city itself down the Rotte River, a distributary in the Rhine River delta, to the North Sea coast. An advanced logistics network linking Rotterdam with the rest of Europe supports the port. There is ample sea freight capability between New Zealand and the Netherlands. New Zealand Trade and Enterprise has basic information on air and shipping freight options to this market, but for details on rates and schedules, exporters should consult with their freight forwarder.

Source: New Zealand Inland Revenue. Double-tax agreements. www.ird.govt.nz/yoursituation-nonres/double-tax.

13/

Exporter Guide | NETHERLANDS | Country Brief | October 2010

THE NETHERLANDS AS A LOGISTICS HUB INTO EUROPE

The logistics sector has always been a key industry in the Netherlands and the Dutch Government is putting a lot of emphasis on growing this industry further. The Netherlands are well placed to act as a regional import and logistics hub for New Zealand companies targeting the European market with their products either as a regional hub for a New Zealand company owned operation or for New Zealand companies wanting to work with a third-party-logistics provider who can look after supply into all European target markets. This is due to a number of reasons, including: Proximity to the main economies / selling markets in Europe / logistical connectedness by sea, air, rail and road from the Netherlands to the main European selling markets. Connectivity by sea and air to other global economies incl. Asia-Pacific region. Schiphol airport is one of Europes largest cargo airports. The port of Rotterdam is one of the largest ports in Europe. Ease of doing business in the Netherlands, which includes a customs friendly regime. High level of competitiveness in the Dutch logistics industry which results in lower cost services and has generated a large number of specialised logistics companies able to provide standard as well as customised solutions for New Zealand companies wanting to do business in Europe. No language barriers for English speaking companies.

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise has knowledge and contacts in the Netherlands and can advise New Zealand exporters on available logistics solutions such as third-partylogistics for supply of product into the European market.

VISA REQUIREMENTS
New Zealanders can enter the Netherlands for business or tourist purposes on a valid passport and a return airline ticket for a period up 90 days. The passport must be valid for at least another three months beyond the expected time of departure. If the intended stay in the Netherlands is of a nature or length requiring a visa, advice can be obtained from the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Wellington (Tel: +64 4 471 6390).

14/

Exporter Guide | NETHERLANDS | Country Brief | October 2010

CULTURAL AND BUSINESS TIPS

The country should be referred to as the Netherlands rather than Holland, a name that originates from two provinces North and South Holland. People from other provinces may object to their country being referred to as Holland. The official language is Dutch, but English, French, and German are commonly understood. Over 80 percent of Dutch speak fluent English, so language difficulties will not usually be an issue. The Dutch value openness and honesty, both seen as essential in building up the trust necessary for a strong business relationship. They can often seem very direct, saying exactly what they mean, but this should not be misunderstood as disinterest in building relationships. Humour also plays an important role, helping create a relaxed and open atmosphere. Work colleagues usually address each other by their first names, especially in the main cities and in newer businesses. As a reflection of the egalitarian Dutch society, it is considered bad manners to display ones ranking in the social or office hierarchy. Teamwork is considered very important in the Netherlands. Good topics of conversation in the Netherlands include the weather, politics, travel and sport. Try to avoid money, coffee shops or Dutch food (unless you are being complimentary). Being such good traders, the Dutch will be keen to take up new, innovative products, for which they see market potential. But they can be hard negotiators. Be prepared to offer your Dutch partner a discount, to give the feeling that a bargain has been made. Calculate this into your list price. Companies need to work at maintaining a good working relationship with their Dutch partners. This may require regular visits to the market. The cost of accommodation and daily expenses in the Netherlands is fairly high compared to New Zealand. Exporters need to budget for these costs when planning visits or evaluating the cost of market support. It is not appropriate to request appointments from large organisations at short notice. Long lead times are generally expected. Punctuality with appointments is vital. Decisions can be made very quickly, providing the necessary information has been made available to the Dutch partner. Where there is a delay, it may be due to the need to consult with other employees. This inclusive Dutch approach to decision making takes place in the framework of a Vergadering, or internal company meeting.

15/

Exporter Guide | NETHERLANDS | Country Brief | October 2010

 It is generally advisable to avoid gift giving in the Netherlands in the context of a business relationship. If a gift is given, it should be small, possibly something relating to New Zealand. Following the signing of an important deal, it may be appropriate to invite your business partner, together with their team, for drinks. Flowers are appropriate for an invitation to a private house. The Netherlands is 10 to 12 hours behind New Zealand, depending on the time of year. During Dutch daylight savings (March-October), the Netherlands is 10 hours behind. During New Zealand's daylight savings (October-March), the Netherlands is 12 hours behind. For the brief period of transition between the countries' daylight savings starting and finishing, the Netherlands is eleven hours behind.

HOLIDAYS
2010 New Years Day Good Friday Easter Sunday Easter Monday Queens Birthday Liberation Day Ascension Day Day of the Pentecost Christmas Day
Source: www.wordtravels.com

2011 1 Jan 6 Apr 8 Apr 9 Apr 30 Apr 5 May 17 May 28 May 25 Dec

1 Jan 22 Apr 24 Apr 25 Apr 30 Apr 5 May 2 Jun 13 Jun 25 Dec

16/

Exporter Guide | NETHERLANDS | Country Brief | October 2010

USEFUL WEBSITES
ORGANISATION Ministry of Economic Affairs Ministry of Foreign Affairs Netherlands Foreign Trade Agency Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis Netherlands Bank Statistics Netherlands (CBS) Customs Administration Internal Revenue Netherlands Board of Tourism Schiphol Airport (Amsterdam) Port of Rotterdam Netherlands Railways (NS) Timetable WEBSITE www.minez.nl www.minbuza.nl www.hollandtrade.com www.nfia.com www.cpb.nl www.dnb.nl www.cbs.nl www.douane.nl www.belastingdienst.nl www.holland.com www.schiphol.nl www.portofrotterdam.com www.ns.nl

CONTACTS
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Phone Website 0800 555 888 www.nzte.govt.nz

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise in the Netherlands The Trade Commissioner in Germany is also responsible for the Dutch market. Contact Address Marcus Scoliage, Trade Commissioner C/- New Zealand Consulate-General Zrich-Haus Domstr. 19 20095 Hamburg Germany hamburg@nzte.govt.nz +49 40 442 5550

Email Phone

17/

Exporter Guide | NETHERLANDS | Country Brief | October 2010

New Zealand Embassy Contact Address H.E George Troup New Zealand Embassy Eisenhowerlaan 77N 2517 KK The Hague nzemb@xs4all.nl +31 70 346 9324

Email Phone
Disclaimer:

This publication is provided to you as a free service and is intended to flag to you market opportunities and possibilities. Use of and reliance on the information/products/technology/concepts discussed in this publication, and the suitability of these for your business is entirely at your own risk. You are advised to carry out your own independent assessment of this opportunity. The information in this publication is general; it was prepared by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) from publicly available and/or subscription database sources. NZTE; its officers, employees and agents accept no liability for any errors or omissions or any opinion/s expressed, and no responsibility is accepted with respect to the standing of any firm/s, company/ies or individual/s mentioned. New Zealand Trade and Enterprise is not responsible for any adverse consequences arising out of such use. You release New Zealand Trade and Enterprise from all claims arising from this publication. New Zealand Trade and Enterprise reserves the right to reuse any general market information contained in its reports.

Source: Statistics New Zealand. Global New Zealand International Trade, Investment and Travel Profile Year ended December 2009. (www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/industry_sectors/imports_and_exports/global-nz-dec-09.aspx). ii Source: Datamonitor, June 2010. Netherlands: Country Analysis Report-In-Depth PESTLE Insights. iii Source: Statistics New Zealand. Global New Zealand - International Trade, Investment and Travel Profile Year ended December 2009. www.stats.govt.nz. iv Source: EIU Viewswire, 14 October 2010. Netherlands politics: At last, a government. Retrieved from OneSource. v Source: Trading Economics. Netherlands Balance of Trade. (www.tradingeconomics.com). vi Source: Statistics New Zealand. Global New Zealand - International Trade, Investment and Travel Profile Year ended December 2009. www.stats.govt.nz. vii Source: Trendbox Wijn, A.C.Nielsen, March 2010. viii Source Wine Intelligence UK, Nov 2010. ix Source: US Commercial Service. Doing Business in the Netherlands: 2010 Country Commercial Guide for U.S. Companies. www.buyusa.gov/newhampshire/netherlandsccg.pdf. x Source: Hong Kong Trade Development Council. Guide to Doing Business in the EU. www.hktdc.com.

18/

Exporter Guide | NETHERLANDS | Country Brief | October 2010