Netherlands

Government

Head of State HM Queen Beatrix

Government Parliamentary democracy

Seat of Government The Hague

Capital city Amsterdam

Geography and demography

Area 41,543 sq.km (16,033 sq.mi.)

Climate Temperate maritime

Average temperatures 16C / 61F (Summer); winter: 3C / 37F (Winter)

Population 16.5 million

Density 484 persons per km2

Labor force 8,0 million

Average life expectancy men: 77,6 years; women: 81,7 years

National language Dutch

English spoken by 85% of the population

Major religions Catholic (30%), Protestant (20%)

Economic performance

Gross Domestic Product EURO 566.5 billion

GDP growth 1.9%

GDP per capita EURO 28,000

Consumer Price Inflation 1.1%

Unemployment rate 5.5% of total labor force

Export of goods & services EURO 463.5 billion

Import of goods & services EURO 400.8 billion

Most important export destinations Germany, Belgium, France and the UK (EU: 76%)

The main drivers of the Dutch economy are sectors such as transport/logistics, the chemical industry, trading and services. Manufacturing industries are less dominant within the Netherlands compared to other European countries such as Germany, France and Italy.

Oil and Gas

The Netherlands is now one of the largest gas-transporting countries in Europe. It all began with the discovery of an enormous gas field in Groningen, which led to the laying of 12,000 kilometres of pipeline to form one of the largest highpressure grids in Europe. That grid is now connected to grids in other countries, turning the Netherlands in the process into a hub for major gas streams – two thirds of the gas flowing through our grid is destined for foreign customers.

The Netherlands can also accommodate seasonal fluctuations in the demand for gas and therefore offer ‘flexibility’ to customers in North-West Europe. What’s more, large LNG terminals will soon be built which will allow the Netherlands to import gas from countries with which it does not have a pipeline connection. All of this experience with gas has created an enormous knowledge base, resulting in the establishment of the internationally renowned

Energy Delta Institute (EDI).

In addition to gas, the Netherlands also extracts oil, both onshore and offshore on the continental shelf. As the largest port in Europe, the Port of Rotterdam has a major role to play where oil is concerned: more than 100 million tonnes of oil pass through Rotterdam en route to refineries elsewhere in North-West Europe. One third of the entire volume of crude oil transhipment in Europe takes place in Rotterdam. The port is home to five international oil refineries and more than 40 petrochemical companies, three manufacturers of industrial gases and 13 tank storage and distribution companies. Rotterdam is not alone, however, because Amsterdam is also an energy port of significance. Some 60% of the work carried out in the Port of Amsterdam is related to energy. Where tank terminals are concerned, the Netherlands-based Vopak, which stores and tranships liquid and gaseous chemical and oil products, is the largest tank terminal operator in the world.

Agriculture

There is a good reason why people often associate the Netherlands with flower bulbs, cheese and eggs, as the Dutch agrofood sector has traditionally been important. The Netherlands exports more food than any other European country. The agrofood cluster can be subdivided into the primary agriculture sector and the post-harvest industry. In terms of foodstuffs, the latter sector encompasses consumer products, semi-manufactured products, pet food and supply.

The largest businesses are active in the following areas:

• - Baked goods
• - Processing of slaughtered animals and meat processing
• - Dairy products
• - Animal feed>/li>

Exports

The export of Dutch foodstuffs is thriving on increasing global competition and changes in the European diet, which is becoming less and less varied. Exports already account for half of the sector's income (30% for SMEs). As a whole, the industry earns EUR 26.2 billion from exports. Exports of a number of product groups are skyrocketing, such as fruit juices (40%), sweets (50%) and coffee and tea (64%). The following sub-sectors have a major share in the EU market:

• - Meat (processing) industry: 21%
• - Dairy sector: 13%
• - Vegetables and fruit: 21%
• - Sugar: 9%
• - Sweets: 21%
• - Animal feed: 27%

Transport and Logistics

The Netherlands is the country of choice for European Distribution Centres: 57% of all American and Asian EDCs on the European continent are located in the Netherlands. The country hosts over 19 million square metres of distribution centres. This equals about 3,000 soccer fields.

All major Dutch ports are serviced by companies specialising in storage, transhipment, warehousing and distribution. From the Port of Rotterdam, all major industrial and economic centres in Western Europe can be reached in less than 24 hours.

The Netherlands is the leading road transport nation in Europe and the largest inland shipper.