Dutch business can grow in Europe
- Economy
Jeroen van Maarschalkerweerd
Head of Media Relations & PA
More than three-quarters of Dutch entrepreneurs who do business abroad believe that international business can help Dutch business to emerge from the recession. Here, most opportunities arise within Europe and ABN AMRO mainly sees opportunities for expansion in Northern Europe. These are the most important conclusions of the 'ABN AMRO International Business Level' survey that GfK Intomart carried out for ABN AMRO.
Positivism among Dutch entrepreneursInternationally active companies are optimistic about the Dutch economy. More than half expect growth in 2014. Those who expect revenue growth for their own company also predict economic growth more often for the entire Netherlands. In addition, more than three-quarters believe that doing business internationally can help to defuse the economic crisis. Almost half believe that the future lies outside the Netherlands. No less than 66 percent expect turnover growth abroad, compared to 42 percent who expect growth in their own country. 85 percent of companies that do business internationally advise other entrepreneurs to follow this example. Dutch companies are looking closer to homeDutch companies that operate internationally see the BRIC countries as an attractive market. But slightly less than a third of these entrepreneurs actually do business with these countries. "Trading in the BRIC countries offers many opportunities, but the complexity is also greater. Import and export restrictions, local infrastructure, access to finance and currency risks are much more often an issue. Smaller companies in particular prefer it ABN AMRO is internationally oriented based on these needs, "says Ruut Meijer, Director of Corporate Clients of ABN AMRO.
Preference for Germany, Belgium relatively unattractiveDutch companies remarkably see Germany - as Europe's strongest economy - as a more attractive economy than Belgium, although in both countries there is about the same amount of international activity. 71 percent of entrepreneurs have a preference for Germany, while just under half say so about Belgium. This also works by how they advise other companies in which countries to do business. Germany is by far the most recommended (67 percent); 40 percent recommend Belgium.
Northern Europe promising marketABN AMRO sees many opportunities for expansion of Dutch business in Northern Europe. Relatively little activity is still available in these countries; 45 percent of the internationally active companies do business here. Yet no fewer than 62 percent of these entrepreneurs find this region (very) attractive in terms of growth opportunities and hardly complex (18 percent). So there are opportunities for expansion here.
Innovative power under pressure due to lack of ambitionCompanies show little ambition in the field of innovation. Only 3 in 10 entrepreneurs describe Dutch business as innovative and for only 19 percent, innovation is a strategic priority. Entrepreneurs mainly consider the commercial spirit (68 percent), language skills (55 percent) and open culture (42 percent) as the most important forces of Dutch business. Although 9 out of 10 entrepreneurs emphasize that innovation is important for the distinctive character of Dutch companies abroad, according to ABN AMRO they still do too little in practice.