The Netherlands: international image, local reality

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The Netherlands international image, local
reality

• Jan Huner
• Area Director, Netherlands Foreign Investment
  Agency (NFIA)
• Glocalization Symposium,
• 12 October 2007

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Pioneers in international business
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Strategic location for the European Market
Sources OECD (6/2007)
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The Netherlands
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The Netherlands

• Stable investment climate
• International outlook
• Pro-business tax climate
• Advanced infrastructure

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The Netherlands

• Why an international outlook?
• Strategic location in Northwest Europe (Rotterdam
  is gateway to Europe!)
• 450 years of fighting for free trade
• Outward-looking business tradition
• Foreign language skills

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Image vs. realitydo we live up to our
reputation?

• How good are our language skills really?
• How welcome are foreign employees really ?
• How tolerant are we really of other religions and
  lifestyles?
• How much of an effort does government really make
  (at national local level)?

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The challenges

• The backlash against immigration
• The rise of anti-Islam sentiment
• The rise of scepticism about European integration
• The rising complacency in Dutch society

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International Orientation
Foreign language skills
of Total Population mastering one or more
Foreign Languages well enough for conver-sation
all languages aggregated (EU-25)
of Total Population mastering a Foreign
Language (EU-15)
Source Eurobarometer (2005)
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The case of The Hague as a city of diplomacy and
international justice

• Seat of the Dutch government since 1648
• Seat of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)
  since 1922
• Seat of the Organization for the Prevention of
  Chemical Weapons (OPCW) since 1997
• Seat of the International Criminal Court (ICC)
  since 2002
• Europol, Eurojust, ICTY, etc. etc.

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Survey in 2005 among expat staff members of
international organizations in The Hague

• Response 77 were negative about quality of
  life, attitude of people and government agencies
• Destroyed our illusion of openness and
  helpfulness to foreigners
• Undermined The Hagues PR campaign to acquire
  status of city of international justice
• Caused embarrassment and concern at the highest
  levels, including Queen Beatrix

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What was the result ?

• Members of Parliament and city councillors asked
  questions and demanded improvements
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs appointed high-level
  liaison officer to press for improvements at all
  government levels
• City of The Hague opened up special Hospitality
  Center for expat residents. Other cities copied
  this formula.