USEFUL BUSINESS INFORMATION ON NETHERLANDS

1. Country Brief:

A. Introduction - Netherlands, also known unofficially as Holland, constitutional monarchy of north-western Europe, bordered on the north and west by the North Sea, on the east by Germany, and on the south by Belgium. With Belgium and Luxembourg, the Netherlands forms the Low Countries or Benelux. The Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, self-governing island territories in the Caribbean, are part of the kingdom. The Netherlands has a total area of 41,526 sq km (16,033 sq mi), of which 33,939 sq km (13,104 sq mi) is land surface and some 6,500 sq km (2,500 sq mi) is reclaimed land, or polder. The nation's capital and largest city is Amsterdam.

B. Climate - The Netherlands has a maritime climate, with cool summers and mild winters. The average temperature is 2°C (36°F) in January and 19°C (66°F) in July, with an annual average of about 10°C (50°F). Clouds generally appear every day, and in the winter months fog often abounds, while rainfall occurs frequently. Average annual rainfall is about 76.5 cm (30 in). The mild, damp climate is ideal for dairying and livestock raising, but the limited sunshine restricts the growing of food crops.

C. Geographical Area - 41,526 sq. km. (16,485 sq. mi.)

D. Language - Dutch.

E. Currency With Exchange Rate - Netherlands Antilles Guilders (ANG)

1.00 ANG = 0.561798 USD

F. Population - 16.5 million.

G. Major Cities - The Hague, seat of government, Rotterdam, Utrecht

2. Transportation:

A. Railway - total: 2,808 km (2002).

B. Road - total: 116,500 km; paved: 104,850 km (including 2,235 km of expressways); unpaved: 11,650 km (1999).

C. Airports - 28 (2002).

D. Waterways - 5,046 km, of which 47% is usable by craft of 1,000 metric ton capacity or larger.

E. Sea ports - Amsterdam, Delfzijl, Dordrecht, Eemshaven, Groningen, Haarlem, Ijmuiden, Maastricht, Rotterdam, Terneuzen, Utrecht, Vlissingen.

3. Economy:

A. Major Manufacturing - 

B. Major Export - $413.8 billion (f.o.b.): mineral fuels, chemicals, machinery and transport equipment, processed food and tobacco, agricultural products.

C. Major Import - $373.8 billion (f.o.b.): mineral fuels and crude petroleum, machinery, transportation equipment, consumer goods, foodstuffs.

D. Major Industry - agroindustries, metal and engineering products, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum, construction, microelectronics, fishing.

E. Trade balance -

4. Trade Associations, Chamber of Commerce, Trade shows and Exhibitions in Netherlands:

Major Trade Associations

Neederlandse Vereniging de Rijwiel-En-Automobiel Indusrie (RAI)

PO Box 74 800 1070 Amsterdam

Telephone: +31 - 20 504 49 49

Telefax: +31 - 20 646 38 57

E-mail : raiver@rdc.nl

Chambers of Commerce

Major Trade Shows

INTERCLASSICS MAASTRICHT

Date: 11-JAN-08 to 13-JAN-08

INTERCLASSICS MAASTRICHT is one of the longest continuously-running major classic car show in The Netherlands. It is one of the country's leading classic car show and is always a firm favourite with the public, trade and clubs.

Venue: MECC Maastricht, Maastricht, Limburg, The Netherlands.

5. Useful links:

Netherland Importers, Dealers of Japanese Used Cars, Construction Machinery & Auto Parts