Foreign influence on Dutch businesses saw no further increases in 2007

In 2007 there was no further increase in the foreign influence on Dutch non-financial businesses. The non-financial businesses realised a value added of 322 billion euro, of which 26 percent was attributable to businesses under foreign control. This share was the same in 2006. This is the first time since 1996 that foreign influence had not increased.

Less foreign influence in trade and hotels and restaurants

In 2007 non-financial businesses in trade, hotels and restaurants and repairs with a foreign owner generated 19 percent of the value added in this sector. In 2006 this had been 20 percent. The diminished foreign influence is due to the fact that small businesses performed much better in 2007 than large businesses. And small businesses less often have foreign owners. In 1996 17 percent of the businesses in trade, hotels and restaurants and repairs were in foreign hands.

Contribution rest of the world to Dutch value added in 2007

Foreign influence in food, beverages and tobacco increasing fast

Foreign influence in the food, beverages and tobacco industry increased from 37 percent in 2006 to 44 percent in 2007. This is partly because of the takeover of the Numico by the French Danone company.

There are several manufacturing sectors where foreign influence is over 50 percent. At the top we find the basic metal industry where foreign owned companies generated over 93 percent of the value added. In 2007 the foreign-owned non-financial businesses in industry generated 41 percent of the value added in this sector. In 1996 that share was still 28 percent.

Foreign influence increasing in transport and communication

In 2007 the Dutch transport company Connexxion became French-owned, and most mobile telephone providers were in foreign hands. Therefore the foreign influence in transport and communication increased from over 27 to 30 percent within one year. In 1996 only 4 percent of the value added was attributable to foreign providers.

Contribution rest of the world to Dutch value added growth, by sector

Alan Sebo and Rob van der Holst