The 2012 Priority Points for a Stronger Netherlands - AmCham Needs YOUR Input!

The European Union is in a state of flux - it is marked by a lack of purpose, certainty and direction. In the coming years the EU economy will likely be marked by low growth rates as many of its members attempt to consolidate public finances after years of ill discipline and overspending.

How can the Netherlands maintain or increase its competitive edge in an increasingly volatile Europe - be a pillar of economic stability and predictability where new investors can thrive?

AmCham's Policy Committee is presently processing ideas for public policy measures that can be adopted to ensure the Netherlands can draw new foreign investment and retain the investments it has attracted in the past. Earlier this year AmCham adopted the following three broad policy objectives - the 2011 Priority Points (download pdf here) - to achieve this:

●  Labor flexibility through increased employability 

- improve training and skills education for a better qualified labor force - from primary education to on-the-job training;
- incentivize job-seeking to prevent long-term unemployment;
- tackle demographic ageing and growing dependency ratio.

●  Stimulate Innovation

- increase resources behind engineering, technology and science;
- reduce red tape (less inspection and more trust - e.g. in taxation less intense & frequent audits) facilitate business activity and entrepreneurship;
- enhance the innovation box in corporate tax measures.

●  Strive for a Competitive, Consistent and Predictable Tax System

- simplify existing deduction interest deduction limitation rules;
- have tax losses carried forward indefinitely.

The following related measures have also been identified:

●  Maintain and improve the physical infrastructure - stimulate accessibility.

●  Maintain a  competitive 30 percent ruling for expats; further professionalize expat desks.

●  Support flexible labor legislation in times of crisis - the part-time unemployment benefit measures introduced in April 2009 worked!

●  Focus investment acquisition efforts: make the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency the single point of contact for established and new investors and give expat desks a quality impulse.  

We welcome your input - in Dutch or English!  What do you think is needed to place the Netherlands at the forefront of countries to invest in?  In your opinion - which of the above, or other, measures need attention and implementation to achieve this aim? 

Send your comments and suggestions to: simon.paul@amcham.nl

On behalf of the AmCham Policy Committee, we thank you in advance for your input!