Not just tulips and chips!
At first glance, the Netherlands and Belgium are not giant territories. Indeed, they are neither among the 20 largest EU states in terms of area, nor are they in the top ranks when it comes to population. Here, they rank tenth and eleventh. Nevertheless, they have enormous potential, and the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp are among the largest ports in Europe.
Furthermore, economic and logistics experts find numerous other reasons to tip one’s hat to these neighbours. These countries have much more to offer than simply tulips, windmills, chips and chocolates. Indeed, the Netherlands and Belgium, as open trading nations, are not only major hubs for European and global trade in goods, they also boast higher export and import ratios than Germany. Moreover, they have a good infrastructure and high level of education as well as standard of living. In this respect, the following saying comes to mind: ‘small but mighty’ …
Netherlands
Capital: Amsterdam
Population in 2021: 17.2 m.*
Total area: 41,540 sqm
GDP per capita in 2021: 57,715 US-$*
Main supplier countries in 2020
- Germany 17.7%
- China 10.6%
- Belgium 9.8%
Main buyer countries in 2020
- Germany 22.1%
- Belgium 10.2%
- France 7.7%
Main imports in 2020
%
Electronics
%
Chemical products
%
Food products
Main exports in 2020
%
Chemical products
%
Electronics
%
Machinery
German exports to the Netherlands in
2020
- Chemical products 20.6%
- Food products 9.5%
- Machinery 8.8%
German imports from the Netherlands in
2020
- Chemical products 20.8%
- Food products 14%
- Machinery 10.8%
Belgium
Capital: Brussels
Population in 2021: 11.6 m.*
Total area: 30,530 sqm
BIP/GDP per capita in 2021: 50,413 US-$*
Main supplier countries in 2020
- Netherlands 19.3%
- Germany 14.4%
- France 11.3%
Main buyer countries in 2020
- Germany 16.6%
- France 13.3%
- Netherlands 11.6%
Main imports in 2020
%
Chemical products
%
Vehicles and auto parts
%
Food products
Main exports in 2020
%
Chemical products
%
Vehicles and auto parts
%
Food products
German exports to Belgium in
2020
- Chemical products 24.6%
- Vehicles and auto parts 15.6%
- Machinery 10.2%
German imports from Belgium in
2020
- Chemical products 29.8%
- Food products 9.9%
- Vehicles and auto parts 9.7%
Source: GTAI 2021
*provisional figure, es timate/forecast
Photos: istockphoto/brichuas,
Port of Rotterdam/Eric Bakker
*provisional figure, es timate/forecast
Photos: istockphoto/brichuas,
Port of Rotterdam/Eric Bakker
