Have no fear – Germany is here

Germany is increasingly taking the lead in the handling of the euro crisis…and critics are raising the usual fears of German domination. But, according to Mark Maathuis, there’s no other solution. Germany’s impressive economic management can be the engine to pull the entire continent out of the doldrums. The country seems to have come to terms with its decades-old... Read More »

Where is Bill Clinton?

This weekend’s announcement of Paul Ryan as Governor Romney’s running mate for the 2012 election demonstrates the fear that this year’s Republican nominee has about the strength of his right wing base. Simply put, Romney is an unattractive candidate to the ever important hard right in American politics. Former governor of left leaning Massachusetts, formerly pro-choice, sponsor of a... Read More »

Socialist Party; “bad for business”

  The socialist party’s plans for the Netherlands will prove disastrous for trade and industry according to MKB (medium to small business) chairman Hans Biesheuvel. “When subjected to close scrutiny, it is evident that SP’s plans will lead to even more tax increases for entrepreneurs, which will discourage businesses in the Netherlands.” Biesheuvel told Dutch news paper ‘de Telegraaf’. According… Read More »

Dutch weak in BRIC-markets

Dutch Medium sized companies are missing the boat on profitable export opportunities to the so-called BRIC countries: Brazil, Russia, India and China, according to a publicised research performed by accountant and advice agency Deloitte. Deloitte found that merely 12 percent of 450 Dutch firms integrated into the research exported goods to the BRIC region. The Dutch are wasting a valuable... Read More »

Economy in decline; loans cheaper

The Dutch Economy worsened in the month of May, according to data presented by the central statistics office (CBS) on Monday. However, at the same time, the government was able to borrow over a billion euro’s at a 0% interest rate. The Dutch economy remained in recession as it shrunk by 1.1 % during the first quarter of this year... Read More »

Wilders loses against rescue fund

PVV frontman Geert Wilders lost the summary procedure against the European rescue fund for the Euro-Zone (ESM). A court in The Hague rejected his appeal to suspend the enactment of the rescue fund –including a €4.5 bn financial contribution – to after the national elections on September 12th In his verdict, the judge argued that the process of policy-making is... Read More »

The International Correspondent #6

Available may 23. in all bookstores in The Netherlands and on Tablisto for use on the tablet Settling in the Netherlands - With a lot of vacancies in office towers, this sector is in the throes of a revolution - Buying a Dutch Home away from home. The name is Moszkowicz, Bram Moszkowicz Bram Moszkowicz is to the field of law what James Bond... 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 effort”... 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 of... Read More »

Moody’s: fall of cabinet puts...

The coalition’s collapse will have a negative impact on the Dutch credit rating, notes credit rating agency Moody’s. The experts at Moody’s agree with their colleagues at Fitch, whom recently warned the Dutch government that they faced losing their ‘Triple A’ credit status if they fail to present clarity on budget cuts and reforms. An issue of concern as budget... Read More »