Why invest in East Netherlands?

Find out why companies like Heinz, Scania and Timberland already invested in East Netherlands:

1. a perfect hub to Europe
2. an attractive fiscal climate
3. a stable economy
4. an international business environment
5. easy access
6. an inspiring climate to innovate
7. a multilingual workforce
8. an attractive quality of life

Perfect hub to Europe

East Netherlands is located strategically between two key European economies: the Dutch Randstad and the German Ruhr Area. This central position, combined with accessibility and an excellent infrastructure, is one of the reasons why European, American and Asian companies have established their facilities here.

Attractive fiscal climate

Low corporate tax rates have been among the reasons why many multinational companies have opened branch offices in the Netherlands.

Stable economy

The country is known for having a moderately regulated market economy. Labor disputes and strikes are relatively rare. Compared to the rest of Europe, the Netherlands enjoys low unemployment rates (hovering between just 3 and 5 percent in the past decade)

International business environment

A unique combination of international business communities in the topsectors Agrofood, Life Sciences/Health and High Tech

Agrofood

East Netherlands is the centre of “Food Valley”, a cluster of more than 100 companies, centered around Wageningen. 

Life Sciences

East Netherlands is home to Health Valley: a network of leading health and technology research organizations. Working to bring a new generation of medical breakthroughs to the clinic and to the market place. 

High Tech

East Netherlands is a technology hot spot, focused on micro and nanotechnology, high tech systems and materials, clean tech and information technology services. 

Easy access: Excellent road-, water-, rail- and air-connections

Apart from multiple airports, the Netherlands has excellent road, water- and railwayconnections.  In East Netherlands these arteries experience little congestion. 

Inspiring climate to innovate

East Netherlands has strong links to high-ranking universities and participates in international research networks in Agrofood, Life Sciences and High Tech.

High-impact innovations by East Netherlands include:

1. Berteriophage-based food safety control (EBI Food Safety, Wageningen)
2. Battery power management electronics (NXP, Nijmegen and Bruco, Borne)
3. Flame-resistant fabric, used by US Army and UW Marines (Royal ten Cate, Nijverdal)
4. UV Crop protection (Cleanlight, Wageningen)

Multilingual workforce

East Netherlands’ workforce is well educated, flexible, multilingual, service-oriented, open-minded and entrepreneurial. Our location provides opportunities to attract native German speakers. Wages are below the national average.

Attractive quality of life

East Netherlands offers a unique blend of picturesque countryside and metropolitan lifestyles.

1. Dedicated Expat Desks support employees and their families upon their arrival;
2. Expats from more than 150 countries and regions make use of international schools;
3. Region holds the country’s largest National Forest;
4. The region’s housing cost levels are low.