The Dutch economy is one of the strongest in the world, and it is the sixth biggest within the European Union. The sectors contributing the most are services (50%), industry (36%), government (9%), agriculture and fisheries (3%) and mining (2%). The Dutch economy and business community have a strong international focus, and over half of the country's Gross National Product comes from international trade. 

Main markets

More than half Hollands' imports and exports consist of food, chemical products and machinery, in particular computers and computer components. Its main markets are Germany, France, Belgium, the United Kingdom and the United States. Together, they account for two thirds of all annual exports. 

Economic sectors

The service sector has expanded into the biggest economic sector in the past few years. Trade is the mainstay, followed by transport and communications, construction, business services, banking and insurance. 

Major distribution centre

Holland is a major distribution centre and transport hub. Located on the estuaries of rivers like the Rhine, Maas and Scheldt, the country has become the gateway to Europe. It is an important centre for business operating worldwide. The port of Rotterdam, the second largest sea port in the world, handles millions of tonnes of goods every year. Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport is the fourth largest cargo-handling and passenger airport in Europe.