Foreign direct investment into the Netherlands increased by 25% in 2011, showing that the Netherlands remains a stable, competitive and highly-connected location for companies to service mainland Europe, according to the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA).
In 2011, the NFIA attracted more than 4,300 jobs, EUR1.47 billion in investment pledges, and 41 international headquarters, particularly to Amsterdam. In total, the NFIA brought 193 foreign investment projects to the Netherlands in 2011, amounting to a total year-on-year increase in NFIA generated FDI of 25%.
According to Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade & Agriculture, Henk Bleker: ‘It shows that the Netherlands still has a favourable investment climate. Companies favour the Netherlands for its position as a stepping stone into Europe, its language and educational skills, as well as its fiscal climate. And foreign investors provide direct jobs.’
The United Kingdom, Ireland and the Netherlands remain large investors into each other’s economies in 2011. Assisting companies in the UK & Ireland, including Asian and US companies with their next step into Europe, the NFIA office in London contributes significantly to the 2011 results.
Around 21% of the 193 projects relate to international headquarters projects, consisting of 30 new operations, nine expansions and two retentions. Headquarters provide approximately 1,200 jobs. Most of these projects originate from Asia and North America. A number of examples of new headquarters in the Netherlands include Kuwait Petroleum (The Hague), New Zealand dairy cooperative Fonterra (Amsterdam), contact lens manufacturer Menicon, from Japan (Emmen), and American guitar producer Taylor Guitars (Amsterdam).
Research and development
Last year, 19 foreign R&D projects were confirmed in the Netherlands. One of the most high-profile projects is the future Heinz R&D facility in Nijmegen. On the other hand, smaller companies, particularly from Asia and Europe, started R&D activities in the Netherlands in the Food and High Tech industry.
In total, the 193 projects yielded an investment amount of EUR1,472 and 4,358 jobs, 828 of which are related to retention. The province of North Holland was the location for most new projects in actual numbers, investment amount, and jobs. TAQA (Abu Dhabi) invested in the Bergermeer Gas Storage project between Bergen and Alkmaar in North Holland. Due to that investment alone, the Dutch priority (‘top’) sector of Energy accounts for the highest investment amount in 2011.
Once again the technology sector produced the most projects and jobs in 2011. Exactly 100 projects came from Asia, followed by 50 from North America and 31 from Europe. At a country level, the USA remains the most important source of investment projects (46), followed by China (29), Korea (25) and Japan (24).
