During the AGM held on Wednesday May 30 the Chamber's Policy Committee presented the 2012 Investors' Agenda of Priority Points - AmCham's policy suggestions to the Netherlands' government to improve the investment climate. The lead items of the Priority Points are:
Stimulate labor flexibility and engage in strategic (labor) immigration policy:
Support diversity and employability programs with policy to combat labor shortages.
Stimulate the development of skills for the future.
Maintain global perspective and language capabilities.
Consider recruiting abroad and points system in immigration for scarce resources.
Innovation stimulation in the Netherlands:
Provide continuous investment in education, talent and initiative.
Ensure that the conditions for businesses are conducive for innovation - less red tape and sufficient tax and other incentives for small innovative companies.
Tax measures:
Ensure stability, consistency, predictability and simplicity in tax legislation.
Adopt the proposal of the Chairman Topteam Hoofdkantoren in respect of interest expense relating to the financing of subsidiaries.
Simplify the existing interest deduction limitation rules to increase clarity among the business community.
Have tax losses carried forward indefinitely.
Reduce the tax wedge on labor.
Conclude tax treaties with important trade partners and with emerging economies with high growth.
Each heading is expanded upon and specific policy measures are pointed to. Read the full version of the 2012 Priority Points in English or in Dutch.