Netherlands: Business environment at a glance
September 22, 2006
Netherlands: Business environment at a glance. Check it out:(EIU Viewswire Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) COUNTRY VIEW
FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT
Policy towards private enterprise and competition
2006-07: Increased energy, telephone and broadband competition, but incumbents remain dominant.
2008-10: Some liberalisation of sectors not covered by the new anti-cartel law, such as the media and possibly healthcare.
Policy towards foreign investment
2006-07: No significant changes to generally favourable conditions.
2008-10: Some tax privileges may have to be reduced or eliminated under pressure from the OECD and the EU.
Foreign trade and exchange controls
2006-07: An EU-China agreement will restrict imports of some textile products from China.
2008-10: Low chance of success in reaching a new agreement on global trade liberalisation. Trade liberalisation continues, albeit slowly, through unilateral, bilateral and regional arrangements
Taxes
2006-07: Reduction in the rate of corporation tax to 25% in 2007.
2008-10: Further reductions in corporation tax possible. Rises in indirect and environmental taxes. New efforts to reduce the use of mechanisms to avoid tax payments.
Financing
2006-07: Regulatory controls over financial operations and dealers strengthened.
2008-10: Dutch banks and insurance companies to reinforce alliances in more open EU market.
The labour market
2006-07: Companies face higher costs for the disability benefit scheme, but otherwise moderate wage cost increases.
2008-10: Greater efforts to expand labour force participation through financial incentives. Trade unions will remain influential, especially if a more left-wing government were to take over after the November 2006 election.
Infrastructure
2006-07: Upgrading of Rotterdam port, as well as of rail, road, waterways and telecommunications infrastructure. The "Betuwelijn", a goods rail connection between the port of Rotterdam and the Ruhrgebiet in Germany comes into operation.
2008-10: Expansion of Amsterdam's Schiphol airport and improved rail links with Germany. High-speed train to Belgium and France enters into service.
Copyright 2006 Economist Intelligence Unit
Related Tags: trade, learn, liberalisation
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