Keuken van Hackfort, Vorden
If you are a hunting person, you might have heard of Vorden, also nicknamed the eight castles village. Although it’s quite a drive from the Randstad, it is certainly worth it because of the typical ‘coulissen’ landscape. At least that is what Eric ‘Mr Slow Food Holland’ van Veluwen thinks of it. Eric was and still is the passionate... Read More »
Economy benefits from international...
The integration of International students into the Dutch work force would greatly benefit the Dutch economy reports the Central Planning Agency. Research shows that if only 20 percent of foreign students would stay and contribute to the Netherlands after their studies it would bring in over €700 million annually. Minister of Education Halbe Zijlstra acknowledges the significance of integrating... Read More »
FM: ‘Austerity measures...
The ‘kunduz coalition’ including the minority coalition and three opposition parties – the D66 Liberals, green party GroenLinks and ChristenUnie – completed the austerity package aimed to cut the Dutch budget deficit to below the 3% E.U. norm. Finance minister Jan Kees de Jager presented the news to reporters this morning after Tuesday night’s negotiations. “It was a team... Read More »
It’s literally rocket science
Michiel Mol, the first Dutch entrepreneur in the space business An ideal competitor. That’s how Dutch businessman, Michiel Mol, describes Richard Branson. Mol made his money from internet companies: Lost Boys, Flogs and Media Republic. Now he’s focusing on developing his own space travel business, SXC. ‘Branson has put space travel on the map,’ he says. ‘He created the market.... Read More »
CBS: Dutch recession continues
The Dutch economy shrunk by 1.1% in the first quarter of 2012 as the recession continues, the national statistics office CBS reported on Tuesday. This is the third consecutive quarter that the economy shrunk; a recession is defined as two quarterly declines in economic growth. According to the CBS, the main cause for the economic contraction is the lack... Read More »
Pioneers in the space industry
Sir Richard Branson plans to celebrate Christmas 2012 with his two children in outer space. They will be dashing through the galaxy on Virgin Galactic’s first commercial space flight. After that, you ordinary plebs can breach the final frontier – if you have $200,000 to pay for the ticket. Branson, who boldly went where no man had gone before... Read More »
EC investigates ING state investments
The European Commission has launched an investigation on Dutch bank ING. The focus of the inspection will be on agreements made by the ING to repay the billions of Euros in Dutch state support given to the financial services group during the financial crisis. In 2008 the state gave ING a 10 billion euro injection of capital, in combination... Read More »
Dutch bank warns for “a lost
A “lost decade” of low economic growth is luring in Europe, the Dutch bank noted in a report on financial stability. According to the Dutch Bank, European legislators must continue expanding budget cuts to regain trust in the economy. Furthermore, the report advocates structural reform designed to improve the development and competitive power on the market. Real Estate In... Read More »
Law and order – How the Dutch bar...
Author: Emily Gordts You might suspect the Dutch legal world to be a dull territory, inhabited by a bunch of conceited white men. If so, you certainly have a point. When it comes to innovation, the European, non Anglo-Saxon law firms are slow learners; like its neighbours, the Netherlands lags a couple of years behind the United Kingdom and... Read More »
Dutch lawyers
In need of legal assistance? Author: Mark Maathuis Finding a good lawyer in your own country isn’t easy. So if you’re looking for one in a strange country where you don’t speak the language, where you’re deprived of your own network and unfamiliar with local laws, your task could be next to impossible. This article was originally published in... Read More »
Burggraaf means Business
Super lawyer Jan Louis Burggraaf Super lawyer Jan Louis Burggraaf has earned the nickname ‘100 billion man’ for the top deals in the national and international business world. Over a seven-year period, he has won the award for best M&A lawyer in the Netherlands six times. According to Burggraaf, the Netherlands is too hard on itself and the restoration... Read More »
Go Dutch… or stick with your game
Sport Clubs Foreign influences has turned The Netherlands into a multidisciplinary sports country. From cricket to Gealic Football: we’re not very good at it, but at least we know how to play it. For expats wanting to play their own game, this sports-minded country has what it takes. And if not… you can always try something new. Like pole... Read More »
‘Brilliant Orange’ in the red.
Sports and business Football is big business in the Netherlands. Every Sunday night millions of people tune in for matches broadcast on national television. At every big tournament, men and women of all ages are dressed in orange. The Dutch eat, live and breathe their football. But football clubs are being hit by financial woes. Is a football nation... Read More »
‘Every second of my life is...
Marathonista Lornah Kiplagat Lornah Kiplagat bestrides the running world like a colossus. Since she started representing The Netherlands in 2003, she’s been smashing national, as well as international, records. With the fame and fortune she has amassed as an athlete, she is now building a career as a business woman and development worker in the country of her birth,... Read More »
Trading in passion-fruit
The business of sport Some go drinking on Friday afternoons, others race home to well-deserved rest. I end my week ploughing through the loose sands of the North-Holland dunes, on a ‘jog’ with world champion long-distance runner, Lornah Kiplagat. Victory is certainly not assured. But a good chat is. This marathonista is the example of how athletic success offers... Read More »
How to make your name
… in The Netherlands A story about first-class Foreigners More than half the companies listed on the Dutch stock market (AEX) are governed by foreign board members. Most are from France, the UK and the US. To become a board member or CEO of a Dutch company you obviously need senior level and executive experience on an international scale.... Read More »
Searching for highly-skilled foreigners
The Importance of being International Foreign companies are the main job creators for native Dutch citizens in The Netherlands. Meanwhile Dutch companies are hiring more foreigners than ever before. The ‘expat work ethic’ is in demand. But which foreigners are The Chosen Ones? It began with language. In the last decade of the 20th century, the internationalisation of business... Read More »
Brain Gain
‘India will be prepared to provide every support necessary for European recovery if…’ Despite the economic crisis, India’s economy is still growing. The Asian tiger is thus claiming a greater role in international politics. Indian Ambassador, Bhaswati Mukherjee, believes the centre of the world is shifting East, but remains very modest. The Netherlands doesn’t have to decline for India... Read More »
‘The fiscal scheme will have...
Helping foreign students with their taxes Djent Administration b.v. Tax specialist Daan van der Ent is one of the few consultants in the Netherlands focussing the growing group of international MBA students. According to Van der Ent, these students can be compensated for up to 15,000 euros each year for their study-related costs and living expenses. Van der Ent... Read More »
The new expatriate regime in 2012
…more employees will qualify! Hillbrook Expatriate Tax Solutions Henk Amorison, partner of tax boutique firm Hillbrook Expatriate Tax Solutions (‘Hillbrook’), is especially enthusiastic regarding the reduction of the new salary norm under the new expatriate regime (or 30%-Rule) of 2012. Employees coming to NL with specific skills that are scarce on the Dutch labor market can profit from a... Read More »
The Netherlands will become less...
…because of the change in the tax law Horatio Assurance Group ‘The government is scrutinising all spending and fiscal rules very closely in this time of crisis,’ says Peter van Haeften RA of Horatio Accountants. Secretary of State Frans Weekers submitted proposals in October to change the rules, he says, largely due to emotion, the feeling that expats were... Read More »
The 30% ruling is no longer under...
…now that the new rules have been established Tax Consultants International According to Rens van Oers of Tax Consultants International (TAXci), the adjustments to the expat provisions, which come into effect on January 1st 2012 mainly aimed at preventing its spurious use. ‘The employee is supposed to have specialist skills which are scarcely available in the Netherlands. But in... Read More »
Broadening the laws
…offers possibilities to more internationals Koppel Belastingadviseurs ‘In the new tax law for expats, there’s more of a quantitive requirement for foreign employees than a qualitative one,’ says Nico Koppel, director and co-owner of the fiscal advice bureau Koppel Belastingadviseurs in Amsterdam. ‘More attention is being paid to the level of salary involved than the specific expertise required.’ Koppel... Read More »
30%-ruling: limitations but also...
J.C.Suurmond & Zn. Tax Consultants ‘The secretary of state has been curbed by parliament,’ says Hans Suurmond, founder of the consultancy firm J.C. Suurmond & Zn. ‘It’s silly to restrict application of the 30% ruling. If you chase away skilled foreign professionals, you’ll eventually lose your foreign companies as well, and damage the Dutch economy.’ The long-standing 30%-tax ruling... Read More »
Controversy rages over the 30% tax...
Tax day… posts every hour The fine print on Dutch tax regulations is almost unfathomable… and now there’s confusion about the ‘30% ruling’ for international employees. In October, Secretary of State for Taxation, Frans Weekers, announced that the fiscal advantage enjoyed by expats in The Netherlands would be slashed as part of the government’s 18 billion budget cuts. Lobbying... Read More »
10 most extravagant business lounges
Business Extravaganza From Zurich to Singapore and from Hong Kong to Kuala Lumpur, business extravaganza is available all over the world. Exclusive business lounges give you a chance to escape the crowded departure hall and help you to work or relax in all quietness. The International Correspondent listed ten business lounges you would want to take a detour for.... Read More »
Continental Business Class Test
Flying business class is now the next best thing to checking into a luxury spa, as airlines compete to pamper passengers. No matter how obscure your dietary habits or religion, they have a menu for you. The entertainment possibilities are bewildering. The International Correspondent helps you shop around to get the best bang for your particular buck. Continental offers... Read More »
China Southern Business Class Test
Flying business class is now the next best thing to checking into a luxury spa, as airlines compete to pamper passengers. No matter how obscure your dietary habits or religion, they have a menu for you. The entertainment possibilities are bewildering. The International Correspondent helps you shop around to get the best bang for your particular buck. China Southern... Read More »
Malaysia Airlines Business Class Test
Flying business class is now the next best thing to checking into a luxury spa, as airlines compete to pamper passengers. No matter how obscure your dietary habits or religion, they have a menu for you. The entertainment possibilities are bewildering. The International Correspondent helps you shop around to get the best bang for your particular buck. Malaysia Airlines... Read More »
Air France Business Class Test
Flying business class is now the next best thing to checking into a luxury spa, as airlines compete to pamper passengers. No matter how obscure your dietary habits or religion, they have a menu for you. The entertainment possibilities are bewildering. The International Correspondent helps you shop around to get the best bang for your particular buck. Air France... Read More »
British Airways Business Class Test
Flying business class is now the next best thing to checking into a luxury spa, as airlines compete to pamper passengers. No matter how obscure your dietary habits or religion, they have a menu for you. The entertainment possibilities are bewildering. The International Correspondent helps you shop around to get the best bang for your particular buck. British Airways... Read More »
Garuda Indonesia Business Class Test
Flying business class is now the next best thing to checking into a luxury spa, as airlines compete to pamper passengers. No matter how obscure your dietary habits or religion, they have a menu for you. The entertainment possibilities are bewildering. The International Correspondent helps you shop around to get the best bang for your particular buck. In 2010,... Read More »
Lufthansa Business Class Test
Flying business class is now the next best thing to checking into a luxury spa, as airlines compete to pamper passengers. No matter how obscure your dietary habits or religion, they have a menu for you. The entertainment possibilities are bewildering. The International Correspondent helps you shop around to get the best bang for your particular buck. From their... Read More »
KLM Business Class Test
Flying business class is now the next best thing to checking into a luxury spa, as airlines compete to pamper passengers. No matter how obscure your dietary habits or religion, they have a menu for you. The entertainment possibilities are bewildering. The International Correspondent helps you shop around to get the best bang for your particular buck. The Amsterdam-based... Read More »
Emirates Business Class Test
Flying business class is now the next best thing to checking into a luxury spa, as airlines compete to pamper passengers. No matter how obscure your dietary habits or religion, they have a menu for you. The entertainment possibilities are bewildering. The International Correspondent helps you shop around to get the best bang for your particular buck. When a... Read More »
The Importance of international...
In 2010 the Dutch public education system was ranked in the top 10 out of 65 countries by an OECD study that surveyed performance in reading, math and science. Even the royal family sends its kids to public school. Yet increasingly, some Dutch parents are sending their kids to the International Schools in The Netherlands. Some say the public... Read More »
An introduction to international...
What are the most important assets of an international school? We asked six leading international schools in the Netherlands American School of The Hague (ASH) ages 3 – 18, IB diploma U.S. high school and general diplomas - Each student is supported as an individual, academically and personally - Safe Harbor program unites all elements of the school -... Read More »
“Telephone contact is part of...
Setting up customer service as an aspect of a well-thought-out telecom plan Apart from investing in technical accessibility, companies need to carefully think about the ‘human side’ of connectivity. In other words, they should think about who is answering the phone, what they are telling customers and how. Customer contact is part of a broad marketing strategy, says Geert... Read More »
Business by numbers: 0800-, 0900- and...
Like in the rest of the world, it is possible in The Netherlands to create and use service numbers. Before acquiring such a number, it is recommended to assess the common meaning of the first digits of the service number: what are they associated with? for which purposes are they most commonly used? 0800 – Gratis numbers. Mainly for... Read More »
From traditional telephony to hosted...
Photography: Gerrit Hoogendoorn MTTM.nl offers businesses efficient and cost effective alternatives Telecom firm MTTM offers total solutions in the field of telecommunications and internet for the business sector. It offers support in requesting and maintaining service numbers and can set up a ‘virtual telephone exchange’ for clients. Because they are largely automated, MTTM can offer efficient, quick and cost effective... Read More »
Connectivity in The Netherlands: an...
Getting connected to the Dutch market Companies and entrepreneurs that set up shop in The Netherlands have to be connected to clients. A telephone line is not enough; you need a broad marketing strategy. Connectivity is a means of attracting and keeping customers. With increasing numbers of technical products available, the possibilities seem endless. More interaction In the last... Read More »
