Global The Hague - Business

World-class city by the sea

The Hague’s sizeable expat community is beginning to make an impact on the city’s housing market. These international professionals, who live and work in the Netherlands on a temporary basis, are consumers in both the sales and rental markets. Nicole Vrolijk, director/partner of Makelaardijgroep Nelisse estate agents, kicked off the discussion by offering her expert view: ‘The basic standard of this international segment is much higher than average, which needs to be taken into account. There is also the fact that this active group doesn’t actually search for homes themselves, but instead hires experts to assist them in that process. That’s why we set up an expat department in our company.’ Rob Waaijer, director of property developer Waaijer projectrealisatie, believes that ﬂ exibility is essential in the current market: ‘Naturally, during a period of reassessment, the supply must be increasingly adapted to consumer demand, provided it is in line with their ﬁnancial position.’

The Hague Airport

Roland Wondolleck, managing director of Rotterdam Airport, welcomes plans to change the airport’s current name to Rotterdam-The Hague Airport. Global The Hague caught up with him nd asked him about the actual implementation of the plan.

From a number of perspectives, it makes perfect sense to rename Rotterdam’s airport ‘Rotterdam- The Hague Airport’. In addition to being strategically located in the heart of the South
Western Netherlands, the new name will be recognised internationally, both as a government airport and as a fully ﬂ edged international airport, with a focus on European destinations for both business travellers and tourists. ‘Although the plans for the name change have been known for years at the political level, this is the ﬁrst time they have received any serious attention. We’re very pleased with the current interest from the national government, especially now that The Hague alderman Frits Huffnagel and his Rotterdam counterpart Mark Harbers are so committed to ensuring that the plan is implemented this year.’

’Deluxe’ Airport
The combination of Rotterdam Airport and the City of The Hague is interesting to both parties, as the name change is set to put the City of Peace and Justice on the world map both literally and metaphorically. The City of Rotterdam is also poised to beneﬁ t from the merger, as it is guaranteed to attract larger numbers of both local residents and international visitors to the Greater Hague Area. Ronald Wondolleck: ‘As an efﬁ cient and well-organised international airport offering maximum passenger convenience, we are a ‘deluxe’ hotel in our own speciﬁ c area. Rotterdam Airport caters mainly to international business travellers, but we also facilitate commercial ﬂ ights to summer and winter resorts. We will even be adding a new terminal to be able to continue to provide the same high level of service.’

Big improvement day

On the 15th of January 2008 a new, great initiative was born: the Big Improvement Day (BID). This was the beginning of a new spirit in the Netherlands, the start of a positive movement.

BID is held every year on the third Tuesday of January. Representatives from the public and private sector join forces to show inspiring examples of things that go well in the Netherlands. Good ideas are given a fair chance and the focus is on positivism and creativity.

Martin van Pernis, Chairman of the board, Siemens Nederland.

'Innovation deserves a more prominent place in our society'

Siemens first became acquainted with the The Hague in 1879, when the company provided street lighting to the residence. Almost half a century later, the enterprise has its pillars firmly anchored in this beautiful city. Martin van Pernis, Chairman of the Board, gives his vision on innovation and the question of mobility.

Ernst & Young - spots The Hague on top of foreign investor's agenda

The Hague attracts a growing number of international businesses – in 2007, 34 new foreign companies established operations in the region. That trend is set to continue this year. The Hague offers a quality of life that no other city in the Netherlands offers: it blends its quaint sea-side milieu with a sophisticated international atmosphere, and fuses its distinguished history with modern amenities and a hip cultural scene. But there is much more that draws investors to this unique Dutch city.

China meets Europe, Europe meets China

On the 28th and 29th of October the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) organized an unique conference in direct cooperation with the City of The Hague and the West-Holland Foreign Investment Agency (WFIA). It is the first time that the CCPIT, which is part of MofCom, has organized their annual meeting in Europe. The City of The Hague was honored by this gesture and has made every effort to make this meeting a success.

The lure of The Hague

The Hague attracts a growing number of international businesses – in 2007, 34 new foreign companies established operations in the region. That trend is set to continue this year. The Hague offers a quality of life that no other city in the Netherlands offers: it blends its quaint sea-side milieu with a sophisticated international atmosphere, and fuses its distinguished history with modern amenitiesand a hip cultural scene. But there is much more that draws investors to this unique Dutch city.