Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Economy and trade

Almaty

The Economic and Commercial Section (Almaty)

The economic and commercial section is responsible for the promotion of Dutch exports and investments in Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan and Tajikistan, reporting about economic and trade policy developments in Kazakhstan and co-ordination of various bilateral programmes and projects. The Embassy is primarily focussed on providing information and assistance to Dutch companies. On request we also provide assistance to Kazakhstani, Kyrgyz and Tajik companies. Although the economic and commercial section is located in Almaty, the staff in Astana is also available for any questions you might have. Moreover, when visiting Astana, please feel free to visit our Embassy there.

The economic and commercial section provides the following services to Dutch companies:

Basic information about the country of Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan and Tajikistan
Relevant macro-economic figures, business culture information, market- and sector information
Information on law and regulations
Providing information and assistance to Dutch companies wishing to explore the market (about potential business partners, government organizations)
Information about bilateral cooperation programmes
Research about opportunities and threats in different sectors
Promotion and protection of the Dutch business in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan

The embassy provides the following services to Kazakhstani, Kyrgyz and Tajik companies:

Basic information about the Netherlands
Information and addresses of Dutch exporters
Information about bilateral cooperation programmes

The Economic section registers all the Dutch companies working in Kazakhstan and keeps track of any changes.

Contact

For your trade requests or any further information concerning economy and trade between the Netherlands and Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan or Tajikistan, you can contact the Economic and Commercial Section of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Kazakhstan (Almaty) at alm-ea@minbuza.nl or nadia.verwaal@minbuza.nl.

The Netherlands Key Economic Statistics

Indicator	Value	Period
Population	16,336.000		October 2006
Economic growth	2,4 %		2nd quarter2006
Inflation	1,4 %		August 2006
Unemployment	5,5 %		May-July 2006

Economic Performance

Gross Domestic Product	€ 488,36 billion
GDP per capita	€ 28.000
Economic growth	1.4%
Government budget deficit	-0.34% of GDP (2005)
Consumer Price Inflation	1,4%
Long-term interest rate	3,82% (Sep. 2006)
Unemployment rate	5,5% of total labor force (2005)

Source: CBS

Working population by sector

Services	80%
Industry	17%
Agriculture	3%

Source: CBS

Foreign trade

Export of goods	€ 281.3 bln (2005)
Export of commercial services	€ 72.63 bln
Export of goods as % of GDP	55,6%
Export of commercial services as % of GDP	14.15%
Import of goods and commercial services	€ 316.85 bln
Import as % of GDP	62,7%
Most important export destinations	Germany, Belgium, France, UK and United States

Source: CBS

The Dutch Market: Europe's First Distribution Center

The present strength of the Dutch economy stems to a large extent from developments in the trade and transport sector. Trade, transport and distribution play an important role in the Dutch economy. Exports account for 60% of the GDP. The Dutch trade sector employs 27% of the population.
Foreign investors increasingly acknowledge the Netherlands as the "Gateway to Europe" due to its unique strategic position. A dense population of 170 million is within a 300 mile reach of Amsterdam. A total of 350 million customers are within 24 to 48 hours by rail, road and waterways like the Rhine and the Meuse. Of the total movement of goods imported in Europe, 48% enters via the Netherlands. Whether for exports or imports, the vital links are usually Rotterdam Harbour - the world's largest port - and Schiphol Airport, Europe's fourth largest airport.

Dutch Business Climate - Characterized by Flexibility and Diversity

Known for centuries as a nation of traders, the Dutch are obviously internationally oriented. They are inventive, flexible, responsive to an ever-changing market, and closely aligned with international business.
The Netherlands has approximately 660.000 companies, including a relatively large number of small businesses, making the Dutch business community highly flexible and diverse. In addition, the Netherlands is unusual among smaller countries in being the seat of a number of very large multinationals, including Shell, Philips, Unilever, Akzo Nobel and DSM. These corporations have set up large research laboratories, lending the Netherlands an important role in the development of emerging technologies.

The Netherlands - A Prime Country for Investments

Increased competition within the EU will force foreign companies to consider carefully how they are going to structure their future trade and investment activities in Europe.
The Netherlands, as the gateway to Europe is ideal for penetrating markets within the EU as well as throughout the rest of Europe. Close to 7,000 international companies have chosen the Netherlands as their European gateway. This is not surprising because its name is synonymous with international excellence in business due to its economic and political stability; its excellent distribution services and infrastructure, the high quality and productivity of its workforce with virtually no strikes; and its investments incentives and attractive tax structure.

Useful links

Websites with general information

Welcome to Kazakhstan:

www.president.kz

Adress of the Kazakhstani Embassy in The Hague: Nieuwe Parklaan 69, 2597 LB, Den Haag

Business Information Service for the newly Independent States: www.bisnis.doc.gov/bisnis/country/kazakhstan.cfm

CIA – The World Factbook:

www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geo/kz.html

World Bank Country office:

www.worldbank.org.kz

National Information Agency Kazinform:

www.inform.kz/index