| Perched on the shores of the North Sea and having a | | | | freight transport infrastructure which is organized to |
| premier strategic position within Continental Europe, | | | | handling the substantial volume of imports and |
| The Netherlands, otherwise known as Holland, is a | | | | exports. It is one of Europe's most vibrant and |
| progressive and outward-looking country with a | | | | progressive centres of trade and industry with an |
| vigorous and robust economy. The freight forwarding | | | | international focus at the centre of its approach. |
| infrastructure in Holland has developed so as to help | | | | Holland has a population of almost 17 m people, with |
| underpin its overseas trading. The combination of | | | | generally high levels of education, who represent an |
| Holland's proximity, its welcoming approach to trade | | | | attractive and prosperous market for many export |
| and its flexible freight shipping options mean that | | | | industries. The freight services sector has organised |
| Holland presents a suitable export opportunity for | | | | to cater for the specialist needs of sectors where |
| many companies in the UK. | | | | special considerations with regard to freight transport |
| Holland achieves more than 2/3rds of its Gross | | | | need to be met. |
| Domestic Product from international trade. Its top | | | | Holland is the 5th biggest export market for the UK, |
| export markets are Germany with 25%, Belgium with | | | | worth £16.6bn in 2006. The UK is also the second |
| twelve per cent and the UK and France, both of | | | | largest inward investor in the country. |
| which amount to 9 %. Leading importer countries are | | | | Holland is one of Europe's most dynamic centres of |
| Germany (17%), Belgium (nine percent), China (9%) | | | | commerce and home to one of the most open and |
| and the United States (eight percent). So Germany is | | | | internationally oriented economies in the world. It is a |
| the most important trading partner of The | | | | highly competitive, growing market with opportunities |
| Netherlands and freight transport links are especially | | | | for trade in all sectors, especially for small and |
| well developed and efficient between these two | | | | medium-sized businesses. |
| countries. | | | | There is no argument that The Netherlands |
| However, increasingly, more and more businesses in | | | | represents great opportunities for exporters in the |
| the UK are keen to improve their volumes of export | | | | United Kingdom. Barriers to market entry are low and |
| to the Netherlands. | | | | the transparent legal framework, modern financial |
| The Netherlands has the 16th largest economy in the | | | | services system and excellent freight transport |
| world, and ranks 10th in per capita GDP. Although | | | | combine to make the market an alluring place for |
| Holland's economy was damaged by the global | | | | United Kingdom companies. Geographically close to |
| slowdown in 2008 and 2009, it has begun to recover | | | | the United Kingdom with excellent international freight |
| now. Unemployment in The Netherlands is at only | | | | transport links to main and regional UK airports, |
| three point three percent (June 2009) - the lowest | | | | Holland is an straight forward and cost effective |
| percentage of all EU member states. On the Index of | | | | place to carry out market exploration. |
| Economic Freedom, Netherlands is the 13th most | | | | The Netherlands's favoured position gives it a |
| unregulated market capitalist economy out of 157 | | | | significant role as a strategic transportation hub, at |
| surveyed countries. So the state of the economy is | | | | the epicentre of freight transport and services in |
| generally good and freight forwarders companies | | | | Europe. Holland re-exports between sixty to |
| report that trade is now recovering again after a | | | | seventy{%|per cent} of its imports to the rest of |
| difficult two years. | | | | Europe and beyond, so it also represents a useful |
| The Netherlands' location gives it prime access to | | | | springboard into other European economies. |
| customers in the United Kingdom and Germany, with | | | | UK exports to Holland are chiefly in the following |
| the port of Rotterdam being the largest sea port in | | | | areas: |
| Europe and the centre for shipping. The most vital | | | | Petroleum and gas products |
| parts of the economy in The Netherlands are | | | | Medical and pharmaceutical products |
| international trade, finance and transportation. The | | | | Chemicals |
| Netherlands successfully addressed the issue of public | | | | Telecomms equipment |
| finances and stagnating job growth in advance of | | | | Office equipment |
| any of its European partners began to look seriously | | | | It is easy to understand why United Kingdom |
| at these matters. Partly as a result of this, the | | | | companies are attracted towards doing business with |
| Netherlands improved from the 11th position in the | | | | Holland. Over seventy five percent of the Dutch use |
| Global Competitiveness Index to the ninth position in | | | | English and this makes it still easier to carry out |
| 2007. Again, this puts it in prime position in respect of | | | | profitable trade with Holland as well as to ensure that |
| opportunities for freight forwarding and export. | | | | all the practical issues in respect of international |
| The Netherlands are one of the main trading | | | | freight are successfully negotiated by your freight |
| countries in the European Continent, with a robust | | | | company or shipping company. |