Positioned on the edge of the North Sea and with an important strategic location within Continental Europe, The Netherlands, otherwise known as Holland, is a dynamic and outward-looking place with a vigorous and robust economy. The freight forwarding infrastructure in The Netherlands has developed so as to help underpin its international trade. The combination of Holland's proximity, its open approach to trade and its excellent freight transport choices mean that the Netherlands presents a suitable export option for a lot of businesses in the United Kingdom.Holland achieves more than 2/3rds of its Gross Domestic Product from international trade. Its top export markets are Germany with 25%, Belgium with 12% and the UK and France, both of which amount to nine percent. Leading importer countries are Germany (seventeen per cent), Belgium (nine percent), China (9%) and the United States (8%). So Germany is clearly the most important trading partner of Holland and freight transport connections are especially well developed and efficient between these two countries.However, increasingly, more and more businesses in the UK are keen to improve their level of export to the Netherlands.The Netherlands has the 16th largest economy in the world, and ranks 10th in per capita GDP. Although The Netherlands's economy was dented by the global slowdown in 2008 and 2009, it has begun to recover now. Unemployment in The Netherlands is at only 3.3% (June 2009) - the lowest percentage of all EU member countries. On the Index of Economic Freedom, Holland is the thirteenth most free market capitalist economy out of 157 surveyed countries. So the state of the economy is generally good and freight forwarders companies report that trade is now building again after a difficult two years.The Netherlands' position gives it prime access to markets in the UK and Germany, with the port of Rotterdam being the largest sea port in Europe and the focal point for freight transport. The most important parts of the economy in The Netherlands are international trade, finance and transport. Holland has successfully addressed the problem of public finances and stagnating job growth in advance of any of its European partners began to look seriously at these matters. Partly as a result of this, the Netherlands moved up from the eleventh position in the Global Competitiveness Index to the ninth position in 2007. Again, this puts it in prime position with regard to opportunities for freight shipping and international exports.Holland is one of the foremost trading countries in Europe, with a robust freight transport infrastructure which is organised to handling the substantial volume of imports and exports. It is one of Europe's most vibrant and progressive centres of trade and industry with an international focus at the heart of its philosophy.Holland has a population of nearly 17 m people, with generally high levels of education, who form an attractive and affluent market for many export sectors. The freight transport sector has organised to cater for the specialist needs of industry segments where specific considerations with regard to freight forwarding need to be met. Holland is the fifth biggest export market for the UK, worth £16.6bn in 2006. The United Kingdom is also the 2nd biggest inward investor in the country. The Netherlands is one of Europe's most dynamic centres of trade and industry and represents the most open and internationally oriented economies worldwide. It is a highly competitive, growing market with opportunities for trade in all areas, especially for small and medium-sized businesses. There is no question that Holland represents great possibilities for exporters in the United Kingdom. Barriers to market entry are not high and the transparent legal system, sophisticated financial services system and excellent freight transport combine to make the market an alluring place for UK companies. Geographically close to the United Kingdom with excellent international freight transport links to both main and regional UK airports, Holland is an straight forward and cost effective place to carry out international trading. The Netherlands's favoured position gives it a leading role as a strategic transportation hub, at the focal point of freight transport and services in Europe. Holland re-exports between sixty to seventy{%|per cent} of its imports to the rest of Europe and further afield, so it also represents a useful springboard into other European economies. United Kingdom exports to The Netherlands are mostly in the following areas:Petroleum and gas products Medical and pharmaceutical products Chemical products Telecommunications Office equipment It is not difficult to understand why UK companies are keen on doing business with Holland. Over seventy five percent of the population speak English and this makes it still easier to carry out profitable trade with the Netherlands as well as to ensure that all the relevant issues in respect of international freight are successfully negotiated by your freight company or shipping company.
Article Source: http://www.articlecontentprovider.com/articlesubmit
Perched on the shores of the North Sea and with an important strategic position within Europe, The Netherlands, otherwise known as Holland, is a progressive and outward-looking country with a vigorous and robust economy.
Stephen Willis is Managing Director of R W Freight Services a UK based freight transport company, established in 1971 and operating worldwide freight forwarding services including specialist freight services to and from the Netherlands
Please Rate this Article
5 out of 5 4 out of 5 3 out of 5 2 out of 5 1 out of 5
