Netherlands
Netherlands
Located at the centre of Europe’s largest markets, the Netherlands represents a key hub for connectivity and a strategic market for entry and access to Europe. Singapore companies can tap on the comprehensive ecosystems as well as opportunities in key sectors in the Netherlands including maritime and logistics, agritech, medtech, sustainability, and smart mobility.
Economic statistics
US$57,025
GDP per capita (2022)
The World Bank
S$15.02b
Total bilateral trade in goods (2023)
UN Comtrade Database
51st
Global Competitiveness Index (2023)
Institute for Management Development
About this market
17.7m
Population (2022)
The World Bank
US$1.01t
GDP (2022)
The World Bank
4.3%
GDP growth (2022)
The World Bank
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Strategic location

Located at the centre of Europe’s largest markets, the Netherlands’ openness makes it a key European hub for many businesses.
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World-class innovation ecosystem

Innovate, test-bed, and embark on R&D commercialisation across sectors including maritime and logistics, agritech, medtech, sustainability and smart mobility.
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Strong bilateral ties

Singapore and the Netherlands mutually support market access and co-innovation in areas such as healthcare, agrifood technology, smart mobility and logistics.

Key opportunities

  • Innovation

  • Logistics

  • Agritech

  • Life sciences & health

  • Sustainability

  • Smart mobility

Key opportunities in Netherlands - 1

Amsterdam is one of Europe’s key startup hubs, thanks to a renowned entrepreneurial and multilingual workforce, convenient access to mainland European countries, strong knowledge hubs with partnerships with many of Europe's top universities, and an encouraging fiscal climate.

Key players in the ecosystem include accelerators, companies operating co-working spaces, and venture capital funds such as Prime Ventures and Peak Capital. Amsterdam also plays host to research and knowledge institutions, such as the University of Amsterdam, that have strong technical expertise in the biotech and electric mobility sectors.

Key opportunities in Netherlands - 2

 

Home to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, one of Europe’s busiest cargo and passenger airports, and the Port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands is a key transportation hub in Europe. Take advantage of the European Union-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (EUSFTA) to tap the Netherlands’ strong trade and connectivity to Europe and the rest of the world.
Key Opportunities in Netherlands - 3

Agritech is one of the Netherlands’ key sectors, with strong capabilities in knowledge-intensive, high-tech, and productive farming. It has over 1,500 international food companies and more than 20 research institutions.

Work with companies based in the Netherlands to accelerate your agrifood innovations.

Key Opportunities in Netherlands - 4

The Netherlands has one of the world’s most vibrant medtech industries, with strengths in medical imaging, rehabilitation technologies, minimal invasive devices, and digital health. Prominent brands, such as Abbott and Johnson & Johnson, are active in the Dutch life sciences and health landscape too.

Leverage the strong links within the clusters to bring your technology to market.

Key Opportunities in Netherlands - 5

Widely seen as a leader when it comes to the circular economy, the Netherlands is gunning for the economy to be completely circular by 2050 through policies such as using 50% fewer primary resources (minerals, metals and fossil fuels) by 2030, and using sustainably produced renewable and widely available raw materials in production processes.

Key Opportunities in Netherlands - 6

The Netherlands has actively positioned itself as a “living lab” for innovative transport startups to develop new technologies that solve mobility, environmental and safety issues.

In addition, the government encourages the development of the smart mobility sector through initiatives such as the Smart Mobility Embassy, which offers a network of partners and support for interested corporates.

Learn about the Netherlands' business hubs

Learn about Business Hubs - 1
Amsterdam

As the capital city, Amsterdam is known for its infrastructure, central location, and quality of life. In addition, more than 2,500 multinational companies have invested in this area, driven by easy accessibility and quick connectivity to the rest of Europe and the world.

Learn about Business Hubs - 2
Rotterdam

Home to Europe’s largest seaport, Rotterdam is an ideal base for businesses expanding into Europe. In addition, innovation, sustainability and digitalisation are encouraged in the maritime industry, through initiatives such as PortXL, a port and maritime accelerator.

Learn about Business Hubs - 3
Wageningen

Wageningen is home to Wageningen University, one of the Netherland’s top universities in the fields of food and agriculture, and Food Valley NL, an agri-food ecosystem of corporates, knowledge institutions and government agencies that promotes technological innovation and market introduction into the agri-food sector.

Learn about Business Hubs - 4
Nijmegen

Nijmegen, located in the province of Gelderland, is a hub of digital health and medtech activity. The city is home to Radboud University, whose medical centre is among the Netherlands’ largest, and startups in the medtech and healthcare sector.

Learn about Business Hubs - 5
Eindhoven

Eindhoven sits at the heart of Brainport Eindhoven, an innovative high-tech region home to startups, tech companies and research institutes.

Learn about Business Hubs - 6
The Hague

The Hague is the Dutch seat of government and the base for international organisations, tribunals and non-governmental organisations such as the European Patent Office, Europol and the NATO Communications and Information Agency. Businesses can easily access government agencies, commercial enterprises and more for help to enter the Dutch and European markets.

Ways for you to start in Netherlands

Kickstart your internationalisation journey

Plan ahead by understanding your readiness to expand overseas, and explore resources for your business.

Internationalisation Toolkit