The Kingdom of the Netherlands has a population of 16.6 million people and its capital is Amsterdam. The country has a constitutional monarchy form of government led by Queen Beatrix and Prime Minister Mark Rutte. The economy is service-based, with industries including agriculture, natural gas, chemicals, and microelectronics. The Netherlands is also a major exporter of cut flowers. Dutch culture values appearance, handshakes, punctuality, and dislikes displays of wealth. Social issues include drugs, prostitution, and some discrimination against religious minorities.

1. Netherlands
Official Name: Kingdom of The Netherlands

2. General Info
•Capital: Amsterdam
•Population: 16.6 million
•Ethnic Make-up: Dutch 83%, Moroccans, Turks, Surinamese, and
Dutch Caribbean, 17%
The Netherlands is also a
relatively small country (13,297
square miles [34,425 square
Religions kilometers])
31%
40% Roman Catholic
Protestant
Muslim
21% Other
unaffiliated
3.60%
4.40%

3. Government and Political Strucure
Type: Constitutional Monarchy
Chief of State: Queen Beatrix
Head of Government: Prime Minister Mark Rutte
Government main institutions:
1. The Monarch
2. The Council of Ministers
3. The States General (parliament)
4. Local governments

4. The Government Role
•Significant role through permit requirements and regulations
•Reduce administrative burden on business and shrink the public
sector
•Aims to privatize the public transport companies in large cities
•Does not play a major role in the nation’s economy.
•Takes an active approach to managing the nation’s credit supply &
currency value.
•Active role in managing the nation’s environment

6. •GDP (2011): $705.7 billion
•GDP growth (2011 est.) 1.6%
•Balance of Trade: Exports-$523.3 billion, Imports-$468.4
billion
GDP-Composition by Sector
Services:
trade, hotels, restaurants, financial
(banking & insurance), transport
24%
Agriculture:
2% Services
dairy, poultry, meat, flower bulbs, fruits
Agriculture
74% & vegetables, wheat
Industry
Industry: natural gas, petroleum
products, bulk
chemicals, construction, microelectroni
cs, fishing

7. Imports
Imports: Machinery, and
transport
equipment, chemicals, fuels, f
oodstuffs Major Import partners
7.6%
4.5% EU
6.7%
Germany
9.3%
53.3% Belgium
China
17.7%
6.6% U.K.
U.S.
France

8. Exports
Major export partners
EU Germany Belgium China United Kingdom U.S. France
7%
4%
1% 6%
8%
56%
18%
Exports: machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, fuels, processed
food & tobacco.

9. Currency Exchange Rates
Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US
dollar - 0.6734 (2008
est.), 0.7345
(2007), 0.7964
(2006), 0.8041
(2005), 0.8054 (2004)

10. The Netherlands is a major
producer of cut flowers
•The Netherlands largely dominates
this industry; more than 60% of the
international trade
•The Netherlands has a good and
functional trade system to facilitate
the movement of Cut Flowers which
form a majority of the flowers that are
traded

11. •Appearance is
important in Dutch
culture
•Handshake is common
form of introduction
•Punctuality is vital in
business & social
settings
•Displays of wealth is
disliked by Dutch
Culture

12. Social Problems and Control
•Drugs
•Prostitution
•Discrimination against
religious minorities and
some immigrant groups
regarding employment

13. 1. Corporation income tax
2. Tax Treaties-
• reduce the U.S. taxes of residents of
foreign countries.
• taxed at a reduced rate
3. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
(FATCA)
• increase information reporting by
foreign financial institutions, non-
financial foreign entities, and
certain U.S. persons holding
financial assets outside the United
States.
4. Personal Income tax
Taxes!!!

14. More info about the Netherlands…..
YouTube: “The Netherlands & The Dutch Culture”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DqMQM5i2Y8&feature=related
YouTube: “Global Business Tips: The Netherlands”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MMbAzlQS-Y

15. Thank you for your time
By: Victor Harris
Bus 245 Global Business
Spring 2012