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Netherlands country brief

The Netherlands' strategic location within Europe, a population with strong language and entrepreneurial skills, quality infrastructure, and an open and outward looking economy combine to make it an attractive "Gateway to Europe" for New Zealand companies.

Trade between the Netherlands and New Zealand is moderate, with the Netherlands ranked as New Zealand’s 21st most significant bilateral trade partner for the year ending June 2010. However, the Netherlands is the largest European investor in New Zealand, reflecting its strong agricultural traditions and the presence of important multinationals in the Netherlands.

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Sector opportunities

Opportunities for New Zealand exporters exist in the following sectors:

Information and communications technology, particularly security software, internet software and services, game software, CRM, ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), SCM (Supply Chain Management) and PDM (Product Data Management) software.
Marine, most notably for suppliers of aftermarket equipment, marine electronics and equipment destined for the new built and refit markets.
Medical devices and biotechnology products. Within biotechnology, the Netherlands’ strength in the areas of human health, agri-food biotechnology, research, and pro-international orientation, along with the fact that multinational pharmaceuticals are facing an innovation deficit, offers New Zealand companies opportunities to cooperate and form strategic alliances.
Energy, particularly for providers of energy efficient solutions targeted towards households and industrial users, such as the lighting sector. Opportunities also lie in the biogas and wind energy sectors.
New Zealand wine products.

The Dutch are interested in high quality, innovative goods and services. As such, the Netherlands may offer potential as a test market or as an entry point to other EU nations.

Cultural and business tips

New Zealanders can enter the Netherlands for business on a valid passport and a return airline ticket for up to 90 days. The passport must be valid for at least another three months beyond the expected time of departure.
The country should be referred to as the Netherlands rather than Holland.
The official language is Dutch, but English, French, and German are commonly understood. Over 80 percent of Dutch speak fluent English, so language difficulties will not usually be an issue.