Population (2018): 17.1 million World Bank “Ease of Doing Business” Rank (2018): 36 WoEconomic Freedom Rank (2019): 13 Bilateral Trade with Singapore (2018): S$17.8 billion Trading Partner Rank: 18
The Netherlands has the fifth largest economy in Europe with a GDP of US$913 million (S$1.2 trillion) in 20181. With more than 17 million residents, it is home to a vibrant, multilingual and well-educated workforce.
Its strategic location in the European region and the Dutch economy’s openness to trade has made Netherlands a key European transportation hub. Your company can access 95% of Europe’s consumer markets within 24 hours of Amsterdam or Rotterdam via the country’s world-class air and seaports, supported by the largest inland fleet in Europe.
In addition, Netherlands has a highly productive and innovative agricultural sector that has made it one of the world's largest exporters of agricultural and food products. The country is also home to key sectors like chemicals, food processing, electrical machinery and petroleum refining. These are led by leading Dutch companies such as Akzo Nobel, ASM Technology, FrieslandCampina, Philips and Royal Dutch Shell Group.
Leveraging Singapore’s strong transport and logistics connectivity, your company can be an integrated market access partner and trusted supply chain partner for Dutch companies to enter Asia, especially for the cold chain sector.
1 Netherlands GDP, countryeconomy.com
The Netherlands has a highly innovative economy that is ranked second in the 2018 Global Innovation Index. This is powered by a supportive ecosystem that comprises industry, science and government, which has encouraged cross-sectoral innovation, test-bedding and R&D commercialisation.
Other contributing factors include the country’s well-developed digital infrastructure, combined with a highly educated, tech-savvy, English-speaking workforce and an open corporate business culture.
Plug into ecosystems in key Dutch sectors such as AgriTech, CleanTech, MedTech and robotics to source, innovate, develop and bring new capabilities and solutions to Asia.
The Netherlands is Singapore’s third largest trading partner and investment destination in the European Union (EU). Bank on the strong ties between the two countries to enter the Dutch market.
The two countries have signed agreements to collaborate in areas of healthcare, food technology, smart mobility, logistics, customs and food science.
If you are keen to explore business opportunities in the Dutch market, you can tap the Enterprise European Network (EEN) business portal to match services and technology requests with potential partners in the EU and vice versa.