Car Rental Netherland

Economy:

The Dutch economy is extremely open to world trade. Much of the flow of goods into its ports is intended for trans-shipment to other countries, mainly other members of the EU. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s the value of Dutch exports generally exceeded that of its imports; in 1995, for example, the country's imports cost about US$133 billion, and its exports earned about US$146 billion. Major imports are manufactured goods (about 25 per cent of total imports), machinery and transport equipment (44 per cent), crude petroleum and petroleum products (7 per cent), food and live animals (8 per cent), and chemicals (8 per cent). Leading exports are mineral fuels and petroleum (about 11 per cent of total exports); food, beverages, and tobacco (20 per cent); chemicals (14 per cent); machinery and transport equipment (30 per cent); and manufactured items (about 18 per cent). Fellow members of the EU account for the majority of both imports and exports. Germany is the Netherlands' most important single trading partner, accounting for more than 26 per cent of all trade. Natural gas exports have helped increase foreign exchange earnings, as has the growth of tourism. More than 4 million foreigners visit the Netherlands every year, attracted by its bulb and flower fields, by boating on its rivers and lakes, by historical, artistic, and cultural heritage, and by its relaxed, tolerant society. The Dutch are themselves eager travellers, however, and they sometimes spend more money abroad than foreigners spend in the Netherlands. In 1994 receipts from tourism were US$172 million, and expenditure by nationals abroad was US$112 million. The Netherlands has played a special role in the European economy for many centuries. Since the 16th century, shipping, fishing, trade, and banking have been leading sectors of the economy, and trade with the Dutch Empire was important in the 19th and the first half of the 20th centuries. Since the independence of Indonesia in the late 1940s, the Dutch economy has been redirected from colonial trade to trade with European nations; a diversified manufacturing base was created as employment in agriculture fell; and the country became a major energy exporter as large deposits of natural gas were discovered. In all these changes, the national government played a major role, particularly through its economic planning. The government's influence is great, even though most firms are privately owned, because it distributes nearly half the country's national income. Also important in the economic growth of the Netherlands are the activities of a number of large private firms.

In 1999 the GNP of the Netherlands was estimated at US$397 billion, giving an average income per capita of US$25,140 (World Bank estimate). In 1999 the gross domestic product (GDP) was measured at US$394 billion. Between 1980 and 1990 the country's GDP grew at an average yearly rate of 1.9 per cent. About 27 per cent of GDP is produced by manufacturing, construction, and energy-related activities, while agriculture contributes about 3 per cent. However, the service sector, including the financial and public sectors, is the dominant contributor to the economy, accounting for 73.6 per cent (1999) of GDP.