1. 1|AMSTERDAM AREA | FOR DECISION MAKERS IN SEARCH OF A EUROPEAN LOCATION
Best for business
A M S
T E R
D A M
A R EA

2. 2|AMSTERDAM AREA THE HUB AT THE HEART OF EUROPE
Heart of Europe S
AM
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Oslo Tallinn
Stockholm
Riga
North Sea
Vilnius
Copenhagen
Dublin Min
Warsaw
Berlin
London
AMSTERDAM AREA
Brussels
Atlantic
Luxembourg Prague
Ocean
Paris Bratislava
Vienna Budapest
Bern
Ljubljana Zagreb
Belgrade
Sarajevo
Rome
Skop
Madrid
Tirana
sbon
Athen
Mediterranean Sea
91% SPEAK A FOREIGN LANGUAGE
STABLE ECONOMY
206 VAN GOGHS
FAVOURABLE TAX CLIMATE
173 NATIONALITIES
51% MARKET SHARE EU LOGISTICS
20 MILLION CUT FLOWERS AND POT PLANTS AUCTIONED EVERY DAY
AMSTERDAM INTERNET EXCHANGE, LARGEST ON THE CONTINENT
NEW MEDIA CLUSTER
58 FOREIGN BANKS
20% OF WORLD’S COCOA PASSES THROUGH
DUTCH CENTRAL BANK
CONFERENCE + CONGRESS CITY
2 UNIVERSITIES

3. 3|AMSTERDAM AREA | HEART OF EUROPE
The Amsterdam Area is a thriving hub for business and
industry. It is strategically positioned with exemplary air,
road, water, rail and cable connections to the rest of
Europe. It is a home base for cross-border business. It has
a global culture, and a dynamic economy that reaches out
to the world. Diversity has been the mark of the area’s
trading history through the centuries. It is one compact
region but has many faces. It has been called the original
global village. The foreigners who live and work here –
around 48 percent of the population originates from
elsewhere – are its most convincing ambassadors.
REGULARLY VOTED NO 1 IN BUSINESS SURVEYS
TRADING TRADITION (page 4)
LIFE SCIENCES CLUSTER
SCHIPHOL AIRPORT - 4TH IN EUROPE
GATEWAY TO ALL MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKETS
IT INFRASTRUCTURE (page 6)
FINANCIAL CITY (page 10)
CONNECTED TO THE WORLD (pages 8-9)
LOGISTICS HUB (page 12) 250 EUROPEAN HEADQUARTERS
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION (pages 14-15)
WIRED WORKFORCE (page 16)
COMPETITIVE RENTAL COSTS
400-YEAR-OLD STOCK EXCHANGE
KNOWLEDGE NETWORK (page 18)
INVESTING IN THE FUTURE (page 20)
35% OF POPULATION COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY EDUCATED
GROWTH SCENARIO (page 22)
3 ACADEMIC HOSPITALS
WORLD-CLASS MUSEUMS + CONCERT HALLS
EXTRA AMSTERDAM ADVANTAGES (pages 24-25)
WORLD PRESS PHOTO
CREATIVE ENERGY
CONTACT US (pages 26-27)
PORTS OF AMSTERDAM - 5TH IN NW EUROPE

4. 4|AMSTERDAM AREA | BEING HERE THE ORIGINAL GATEWAY TO EUROPE
With a 700-year trading tradition, the Port of Amsterdam is one
Trading tradition of Northwest Europe’s top five ports today. It handled 65 million
tonnes of cargo in 2003.

5. 5|AMSTERDAM AREA | BEING HERE
Cargill
Paulo Bello
Trading Manager
“ The Netherlands, in particular Amsterdam, is well-placed as a central
hub on the European map. The country is one of the best locations in Europe
for international business and its capital is home to one of Cargill’s key
trading and processing centres. The region is also the traditional heart of the
cocoa industry, in which Cargill is one of the major global players.
The Amsterdam region offers excellent port facilities, linked to an
extensive road and rail infrastructure, which combine to make trading easy.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol connects the area to key European and
international business centres - essential as many of Cargill’s staff need to
travel all over the world.
In my view, Amsterdam is one of the most international cities in Europe.
This has a lot to do with the fact that the Dutch are so open to other cultures,
which stems, in part, from their long trading history. Many Dutch people
speak more than one language and most are fluent in English. This is
incredibly important for us, as we can have up to five different nationalities
working on our cocoa-trading desk alone - and English is the international
language which helps them communicate with each other and our
customers.
On a personal note, my home just outside Amsterdam gives me access to
a wide range of cultural activities in the city - and my children both love
Amsterdam zoo. At the same time, we live in very peaceful rural
surroundings, with nature reserves and the countryside close by. It’s the
perfect combination.
”
The countryside begins immediately.
Small historic towns and unspoilt
Established in 1959 as a commodity trading business, Cargill’s Dutch unit
farming villages, set in a landscape of
is now one of the company’s largest European operations. The group is
fields and waterways, are less than a
engaged in the production of food ingredients and the processing,
20-minute drive from the city centre.
distribution and trading of a wide range of agricultural products.
BEST PLACES TO DO BUSINESS WORLDWIDE
“The Netherlands is expected Ranking 1999-2003 2004-2008 Up/down
Canada 3 1 +2
to be the best place in Europe Netherlands 2 2 0
to conduct business during the Finland 8 3 +5
UK 4 4 0
next five years.” US 1 5 –4
Denmark 10 6 4
Singapore 6 7 –1
Switzerland 7 8 –1
Hong Kong 5 9 –4
Ireland 9 10 –1
Sweden 12 11 +1
New Zealand 11 12 –1
Source: Economist Intelligence Unit 2003

6. 6|AMSTERDAM AREA | BEING HERE EUROPE’S MOST CONNECTED CITY
Global Switch, the world’s leading carrier-neutral
IT infrastructure colocation provider, is one of the four sites of the
Amsterdam Internet Exchange (AMS-IX), the
largest exchange on mainland Europe.

7. 7|AMSTERDAM AREA | BEING HERE
Ofoto
Andreas Sautter
Vice President Ofoto Europe
“ We were looking for a single place to establish our European
headquarters and marketing organisation. As a fast-growing company we
needed a launch pad from which we could get off the ground quickly. Fast
time-to-market was essential. We looked for a place where we could conduct
operations and distribution, and that had a good customer service
infrastructure. To ensure flawless hosting of our web-services - online sharing
and printing of photographs - we also needed great IT infrastructure and
connectivity.
We found all this in Amsterdam. The unique quality of the city is that it offers
this rare combination and is very cost-effective at the same time.
The multilingual and multicultural workforce is another important asset, as
we service the whole European market from Amsterdam. Everybody in my
office speaks three or four languages.
Amsterdam is a very attractive city. It is centrally located, features a great
public transportation network and has a relaxed yet productive environment.
Since our company’s motto is ‘work hard, play hard’, this suits us very well.
Amsterdam is also a great place to live, with world-class museums and
exceptionally good restaurants. It is a particularly child-friendly city with
many green spaces and playgrounds, and it’s easy to get around, preferably
by bicycle. The Noordermarkt, where you can get fresh organic farm
products, is a real treat. There is a strong focus on design in the city, and I
really enjoy the fact that my local pharmacy, designed by Concrete
Architectural Associates, is featured in architecture magazines all over the
Prizewinning designer pharmacy by
world!
” Concrete Architectural Associates
Ofoto is Kodak’s online digital photo developing service. It provides
consumers with a secure and easy way to store and share their pictures with
friends and family and get real Kodak prints of their pictures. The service
also provides free editing and creative tools. Ofoto operates four sites
across Europe: ofoto.co.uk, ofoto.de, ofoto.fr, and ofoto.eu.com.
E-READINESS RANKINGS
Ranking
Sweden 1
Denmark 2
Netherlands 3 (tie)
UK 3 (tie)
US 3 (tie)
Finland 6
Norway 7 (tie)
Switzerland 7 (tie)
Australia 9
Canada 10
Source: Economist Intelligence Unit 2003

8. 8|AMSTERDAM AREA | BUSINESS PASSENGERS’ FAVOURITE AIRPORT
Connected to the world

9. 9|AMSTERDAM AREA | ARRIVALS + DEPARTURES
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has been voted Europe’s best business airport no less than 20 times by the readers of Business Traveller magazine. It has won
over 100 international prizes for its famously excellent levels of service, and ranks fourth in Europe in terms of cargo and passenger traffic. More than 200
direct connections to 82 countries, it is just 15 minutes by train from the city centre. It is also a major business location. The Amsterdam Airport Area is
home to over 1,100 international companies.

10. 10|AMSTERDAM AREA | BEING HERE HOME OF THE WORLD’S FIRST STOCK EXCHANGE
The Euro currency was conceived in
Financial city Maastricht in 1991. The Netherlands was
one of 12 EU countries to adopt the Euro on
January 1st, 2002.

11. 11|AMSTERDAM AREA | BEING HERE
Reuters Business
David O’Sullivan
Service Centre
Director
“ We established our Shared Financial Service Centre in October 2001.
Since we service 14 countries in Europe, we looked for a place where we
could find employees who are used to dealing with different cultures. Today,
we employ people from no less than 22 different ethnic and cultural
backgrounds. It’s hard to find another place that offers such diverse and
generally high educated people.
Around 40 percent of our employees come from abroad. Fortunately,
Amsterdam is a very attractive city, not only for the ‘young, free and single’,
but for families as well. We therefore have no problem getting our staff to
move here. And they generally enjoy their stay here very much.
Something that we value highly about Amsterdam is the accessibility. We
are 15 minutes from Schiphol Airport, right next door to the railway station
and literally on the ringway.
Commuting costs me no more than fifteen minutes per day, which means I
get to spend more time with my family. We love to take our three years old
daughter to restaurants or to the Vondelpark, and enjoy the fact that it’s safe
to do so. I’m planning to get my own boat soon and to take it out sailing on
the IJsselmeer. That must be a wonderful way to spend a weekend!
”
MAGNET FOR EUROPE’S FINANCIAL COMMUNITY
Transactions value - top 5 European Cash Markets*
Reuters is a global information company providing information tailored for
professionals in the financial services, media and corporate markets. More
160
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140
XC
than 90% of its revenue derives from its financial services business.
KE
XT
120
NE
OC
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ST
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100 Reuters’ information is trusted and drives decision making across the globe.
BO
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N
NA
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LIA
80
N
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The company has a reputation for speed, accuracy and freedom from bias.
UT
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60
DE
RS
BO
40
X
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VIR
20
0
* By average monthly trading volume in domestic and foreign equities in 2003
Source: FESE and Euronext
At IJburg, on newly-dredged land to
the east of the city, 18,000 new
homes are being built to house 45,000
people.

12. 12|AMSTERDAM AREA | BEING HERE GATEWAY TO ALL MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKETS
A multi-modal logistics hub, the Amsterdam
Logistics hub Area offers excellent possibilities both for
in-house logistics and for outsourcing.

13. 13|AMSTERDAM AREA | BEING HERE
Nikon Europe
Hideshi Hirai
President
“ We have been based in the Schiphol area for more than 30 years, so
when we decided to build the new European HQ for our imaging operations,
we knew exactly where we wanted it to be. It had to be near Schiphol and
close to our existing premises. In terms of logistics, it is one of the best
locations in Europe. Schiphol is a true European hub and the airport is now
expanding its facilities and the number of flights in order to meet the
demands of clients like Nikon.
Besides this, the fact that everyone can speak English is very important
for us. It makes life a lot easier, in work and in everyday life. Because a large
number of our local staff also speaks excellent German means we can also
communicate effectively with our German colleagues in Europe.
Even though I spend an enormous amount of time travelling all over the
world, I also enjoy my time in Amsterdam. It’s so international that anyone
can feel at home. It does help, of course, that the city has a Japanese School,
a Japanese Chamber of Commerce, and many very good Japanese
restaurants.
”
Nikon Europe BV was established in the Netherlands in 1968. The products
of Nikon worldwide include cameras and lenses, binoculars and telescopes,
biological and industrial microscopes, measuring, surveying and
ophthalmic instruments. The new HQ, which also houses a European spare
parts centre, is located at Airport Business Park Lijnden.
An estimated 173 nationalities live in EUROPEAN LOGISTICS CENTRES
Percentage of distribution activities of the most important countries of Europe
Amsterdam. There are international,
British and Japanese schools, a Korean The Netherlands – 51%
Saturday School, an Ecole Française
50%
and local Berlage Lyceum has a
bilingual department.
100%
Germany – 11%, Belgium – 18%
France – 8%, UK – 8%
Other – 4%
0%
Source: HIDC 2003

14. 14|AMSTERDAM AREA | WHO WENT FIRST AN EXTENSIVE CHOICE OF OFFICE SPACE AND DEVELOPMENT PLOTS
Location, location, location
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15. 15|AMSTERDAM AREA | HUB FOR BUSINESS + INDUSTRY
More than 250 European headquarters, as well as European spare parts, training and shared service centres, global and business unit head offices,
Benelux and national headquarters, logistic hubs, international organisations, pan-European and inter-regional call centres, academic and research
institutions, international schools, luxury hotels, world-renowned museums and music venues, a major airport and a port, and the largest Internet
exchange in mainland Europe are to be found within a 35-km radius which we call the Amsterdam Area. Here is a selection of global brands.

16. 16|AMSTERDAM AREA AMSTERDAM RISES TWO PLACES IN BEST CITY FOR QUALIFIED STAFF RANKINGS
(EUROPEAN CITIES MONITOR 2003)
The capital’s Digital City was the first online community
Wired workforce of its kind in 1994. A year earlier three young
entrepreneurs founded Lost Boys, which has developed
into a leading European new media company.

17. 17|AMSTERDAM AREA | BEING HERE
Blast Radius
Lee Feldman
Chief Creative Officer
“ When Blast Radius started working for clients in Europe, Amsterdam
was on the top of our list. Besides the practical, including the ability to be
one hour from all of our clients in Europe, there are many other reasons.
The city was built for commerce, and has a deep-rooted sense of networking.
For us this means an environment ripe for new business ideas to happen.
Amsterdam attracts a vast amount of well-trained creative minds in all
disciplines. There is a sense of experimentation, a willingness to take risks.
You notice this in the architecture and in the new ways of communication.
The people we hire have this spirit of experimentation ingrained, which helps
us bring new ideas to our clients.
We love the city centre: a profoundly cultural place, strongly connected to
its past, yet progressive in its outlook. It offers a lot of positive stimulation.
Getting our minds off work in an art gallery, or on a walk along the canals
rejuvenates and inspires us. As an international employer, it is a real benefit
to offer this to our North American employees, who come here for a while
and are re-invigorated by this intimate urban experience.
It is not enough to simply open another Blast Radius office. We want to
create a culture uniquely in tune with our environment and with people who
share the same ideas and values. The Dutch concept of gezelligheid appeals
to us: a group of people having a similar idea and enjoying each other’s
company. This is also reflected in the relationships with our Dutch clients.
We share a genuine sense of partnership, of friendship, rather than a
temporary business connection.
”
Blast Radius delivers high-impact solutions for automating marketing,
sales, and customer service. Using technology as its tool, the company
helps industry-leading companies increase customer value and maximize
return on relationships. With a focus on selected industries and a
dedicated team of experts working with market-leading technologies,
Blast Radius provides accelerated time to return and greatly reduced
project costs. Blast Radius established its European Headquarters in
Amsterdam in 2000.
MULTILINGUALITY - NO.1 IN EUROPE
Percentage of total population
Netherlands 91%
Sweden 82%
Belgium 64%
Germany 49%
Home to more than half a million France 41%
Ireland 28%
bicycles. The omnipresent cycle paths UK 19%
and pro-bike culture make the bicycle
Source: Ernst & Young 2002
the favourite inner-city travel mode of
residents and visitors alike.

18. 18|AMSTERDAM AREA | BEING HERE 2 UNIVERSITIES, 3 ACADEMIC HOSPITALS
Avantium, founded in 2000 with head office
Knowledge network and research laboratories in the bio-region of
Amsterdam, is an R&D company serving the
chemical and pharmaceutical sectors.

19. 19|AMSTERDAM AREA | BEING HERE
Biogen Idec
Tim Kelly
Director International Operations
“ When we first began our operations in Europe we started with a small
team in Amsterdam. We have now grown into a substantial operation
employing 90 people and we are continuing to grow. Fortunately, planning
for the future is manageable because there is a well-developed infrastructure
and a wide variety of office space is available.
We are currently making plans to expand operations with a new facility, and
with world-class transport facilities nearby, we intend to stay in the area. We
have also decided to add our own laboratories and found readily equipped
lab space in the Bio Incubator at the Sciencepark Amsterdam. We didn’t
have to build one; we could simply move in!
The Amsterdam knowledge network of academic hospitals and universities is
very important because it brings highly skilled people into the area.
Most people speak English very well and on top of that they often speak one
or two other languages. Another advantage is the fact that many people have
worked for international companies, and since we serve more than 89
countries from this location, it’s very convenient to have people who can deal
with different cultures effectively.
My family and I really enjoy the quality of life here. In the winter, one of my
favorite activities is to go skating with my children when the canals freeze
over, and when there is no natural ice we practice at the Jaap Eden Baan, the
local ice rink. In summer having the Amsterdamse Bos, one of the many
beautiful green parks, just around the corner is a real luxury.
”
Biogen Idec is the third largest biotechnology company, with a diverse
product portfolio and revenue base, with two blockbuster drugs, and 10
products in clinical development. Globally Biogen Idec has more than
4,000 employees. Its International Operations Headquarters is based in
Hoofddorp and serves more than 89 markets worldwide.
By the end of the 17th century, 4,000
BENEFITS OF A BIO REGION ships a year traded with 625 ports.
Global trade and the harbour’s
Broad scientific base: 2 universities, 3 academic hospitals (with connections with the great rivers of
access to (pre) clinical trials, phases I to III). Major research areas in Europe gave Amsterdam its first
bio-infomatics, oncology, immunology, genomics, cell and medical biology. gateway status. In the background,
Sciencepark Amsterdam: virtual reality lab, high performance Renzo Piano’s showpiece technology
computing, state-of-the-art communication facilities for data handling, centre.
bio-incubator building. Availability of venture capital. Large
national and international life sciences network.

20. 20|AMSTERDAM AREA FOURTH BEST CITY FOR GOVERNEMENT-CREATED CLIMATE (EUROPEAN CITIES MONITOR 2003)
The International School of Amsterdam is an
Investing in the future inspirational academic campus for children
from 3-19 from more than 45 countries
taught by a multinational faculty.

21. 21|AMSTERDAM AREA | BEING HERE
Cisco Systems
Andrew Lockhart
Vice president Northern Europe
“ Amsterdam and the Netherlands offered clear advantages over other
European locations we investigated. One of the most important factors for us
was the high educational and skill levels of the local workforce. Wages are
reasonable. And very important for Cisco, technical knowledge is high.
Another factor is language skills - English is practically a second language,
with most other European languages well covered.
We were made to feel very welcome in Amsterdam. The city council was
aggressive in a positive sense. They wanted our business, and we
appreciated that. The Netherlands has a long tradition of trading and
commerce and that commercial spirit can be seen in the investment in the IT
infrastructure around Amsterdam. The talented people we hire benefit from
the quality work and play environment.
The Dutch are open to innovation. The success of our academy in
Amsterdam says a lot about the openness of the local educational system to
new ways of learning and working, such as Internet technology. It allows us
to invest in the future skill base, which is important because Amsterdam will
be one of the company’s biggest offices, with extensive e-learning facilities,
acting as a showcase for all the latest Cisco technologies.
”
In 2000 Cisco Systems decided to build its first corporate campus outside
The Amstel, which gave Amsterdam its
the US for its European operations, including logistics and ordering, in
name in the 13th century, still
south-east Amsterdam. The company has also teamed up with the Berlage
resembles the river that Rembrandt
and the young Mondriaan painted. It is Lyceum and local colleges as part of the Cisco Networking Academy
a stone’s throw (or jog) from thriving programme to train the next generation of IT workers.
business areas in the South East and
the South Axis.
OPENESS OF NATIONAL CULTURE IN THE EU
1= closed to foreign ideas, 10 = open to foreign ideas
1. Netherlands 8,0
Luxembourg 8,0
3. portugal 7,9
4. Belgium 7,8
5. Ireland 7,6
6. Greece 7,5
Estonia 7,5
8. Finland 7,4
Italy 7,4
10. Sweden 7,3
Source: IMD World Competiveness Yearbook 2003

22. 22|AMSTERDAM AREA | BEING HERE NUMBER FOUR IN GLOBAL RECIPIENTS OF FDI (IMD 2003)
Almere is a new town, only 20 minutes by car or train from
Growth scenario Amsterdam, that offers business and industry space to
expand in an inspiring waterside setting with high-speed
connectivity and a young labour pool.

23. 23|AMSTERDAM AREA | BEING HERE
Europa-Koyo
Shinichi Mochizuki
Director
“ In 1973 we opened our first sales office in The Netherlands. In 1992
we moved to Almere, where we’ve expanded our most important activities:
sales and marketing, storage and distribution (warehousing) as well as
research and development. In 1997 we also added our technical centre
where we can test product developments. In Almere we have space for
expansion, which means we can continue to serve all our client’s needs from
one location.
The infrastructure is very good: with Schiphol Airport and the Port so close,
we can ship our products to our European clients quickly. These factors,
together with the reasonable real estate prices, make this a first-class
location for us.
Furthermore, facilities for our Japanese staff are very important. The
Japanese school in Amstelveen, for example, is very attractive for our
workers with families.
I live in Amsterdam: a lovely city for shopping and in my time off I can be
regularly found on one of the golfcourses in the region.
”
Koyo Seiko Ltd. was established in Osaka, Japan in 1921 and is now a
leading manufacturer of ball and roller bearings and steering systems for a
variety of Automotive and Industrial Equipment manufacturers. Koyo Seiko
Ltd. has 31 factories worldwide with 34 sales offices spread over 23
countries. Furthermore there are 7 technical centres. Their establishment
in Almere is the European Head Office.
QUALITY OF LIFE INDEX Green fields are a bike hop out of town.
You can walk through the dunes,
Norway
.
Iceland
.2 alongside the nearby coastline, sail on
.31
Sweden .8 .5.
.7 the IJsselmeer or play golf on one of the
Australia
6 10
.9
Netherlands
14 golf courses.
Belgium
USA
Canada
Japan
.4
Switzerland
Source: United Nations Human Development Report 2003

24. 24|AMSTERDAM AREA | BEING HERE THE AREA WITH THE ADVANTAGE
35 Amsterdam advantages
S
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have facilities here. hinterland, are guarantees for CONGRESS CITY a close third to London and
efficient logistics. Whether a Amsterdam is an important Paris.
AUTOMOTIVE company is large or small, congress city, with superb
ACCESSIBILITY More and more automotive harbour dependent or not, facilities for large-scale EDUCATED, MULTI-
A true ‘Gateway to Europe’, companies are establishing with more than 400 hectare international gatherings. The LINGUAL WORKFORCE
the area’s rail, road and their European headquarter of land directly available, the RAI, the largest Dutch 91% of Dutch people speak a
water connections are second and marketing & sales Port of Amsterdam can conference and congress second language. 35% of
to none. All major business activities in the Amsterdam always provide an appropriate centre, yearly attracts visitors Amsterdammers have at least
locations are linked by a fast, Area. Our prestigious site. to more than 50 major a college or university
modern ring road system. business parks house national international congresses, 70 education.
The city is investing heavily and international automotive BUSINESS TRADITION trade fairs and exhibitions
in a new transport suppliers and companies Home of the world’s first and more than 1,000 EURO CAPITAL
infrastructure, extending the including Europa-Koyo, publicly listed multinational, conferences and meetings. Geographically and politically
city’s metro south to Eaton, Meritor Automotive, whose ships were covered by central, the Netherlands is
Schiphol, via the South Axis, Yamaha, Mitsubishi, Hitachi, the world’s first insurance CONNECTIVITY among the keenest EU
and to new development Woodward Governor Group. premiums. The first futures The Amsterdam Internet players: the Euro currency
areas like North Amsterdam. and stock exchanges were Exchange (AMS-IX) is was conceived in Maastricht
The harbour is connected to BUSINESS AIRPORT also founded in Amsterdam. distributed over four in 1991 and the first
the North Sea, to the Rhine Schiphol is a leading locations, two of them in president of the European
into Germany and to the passenger, cargo and CALL & SHARED SERVICE Sciencepark Amsterdam. Central Bank, was Dutchman
Maas into Belgium. business airport. More than CENTRES ISPs interconnect and Wim Duisenberg. The
1,100 international Multilingual skills, top quality exchange traffic with each Amsterdam Treaty (1999)
SCIENCEPARK AMSTERDAM companies direct their telecom infrastructure and other to reduce upstream was an important milestone
Sciencepark Amsterdam is European activities from the appropriate office facilities are connection costs. AMS-IX in European integration.
home to internationally area. In the vicinity are just some of the reasons why serves more than 170
renowned research institutes Schiphol WTC, Business Park so many global corporations, Internet-related companies, FINANCIAL CENTRE
like the National Institute for Beukenhorst, Airport from Unisys and Six making it one of Europe’s The headquarters of major
Nuclear Physics and High Business Park Lijnden, Continents, Reuters, largest independent Dutch banks such as ABN-
Energy Physics (NIKHEF), the Schiphol-Rijk, Airport Peoplesoft, to Sykes ‘marketplaces’ for exchanging AMRO and ING are located in
Institute for Atomic and Business Park Amsterdam Enterprises and BMC internet traffic. The area’s Amsterdam; it is the home of
Molecular Physics (AMOLF), Osdorp and Schiphol Software have chosen to links to transatlantic sub- the Dutch Central Bank, the
and the National Research Logistics Park. locate their international call sea cabling further reinforce Netherlands Bankers
Institute for Mathematics and centres/ shared service Amsterdam’s position as Association and the Foreign
Computer Science (CWI), as BUSINESS PORT centres in or near Europe’s most connected Bankers Association. Around
well as SARA Computing and The logistics heart of Europe, Amsterdam. city. 58 foreign banks, more than
Networking Services. SARA the Port of Amsterdam is the 100 local and foreign
has a second facility in choice of numerous CIVIC SYNERGY CREATIVE CLUSTER insurance companies have
Almere. The park also houses international companies for There are a range of private Besides publishing activities offices here.
the Faculty of Science of their operations. Distribution and public sector agencies, at (Reed Elsevier, Wolters Kluwer
Amsterdam University, over companies, storage a local, regional, national and and PCM in Amsterdam, FLOWER POWER
100 knowledge-intensive terminals, manufacturing international level that co- Sanoma in Hoofddorp and Aalsmeer, south west of the
companies, the major Internet enterprises and offices work operate closely and uniquely VNU in nearby Haarlem), and city, hosts the world’s biggest
hub AMS-IX, and next- in tight synergy. The port’s to facilitate the relocation of a dynamic new media cluster, flower auction in Europe’s
generation cable links. The dynamics are reflected in the foreign companies to the Amsterdam’s creative largest commercial complex.
park provides companies that have decided Amsterdam Area. These agencies, which include More than 20 million cut
accommodation for start-ups to locate their business here: include the Chamber of international names like Euro flowers and pot plants, with a
as well as established ICT and Starbucks, Oiltanking, Hitachi Commerce, the Netherlands RSCG, Lowe, McCann- value of 5.75 million euros,
life sciences companies, and Construction Machinery and Foreign Investment Agency, Erickson, Ogilvy, PPGH/JWT, are sold every day.
acts as an incubator for Cargill. The proximity to the the Province of North PMSVW/Young & Rubicam,
technology entrepreneurs. In sea and to Amsterdam Airport Holland, and the sponsors of Publicis, Result DBB, TBWA, FOOTBALL
addition, both Biogen Idec Schiphol, plus the excellent this publication. Wieden+Kennedy and local One of the world’s great

25. 25|AMSTERDAM AREA | CONTINUITY + DIVERSITY
EXTRA
soccer clubs with a 100-year wealth, are the site of Pulitzer, The Grand and academic hospitals. There
history, Ajax has been Dutch today’s innovative housing Anouska Hempel’s Blakes. are world-class research STABLE ECONOMIC
champions 28 times and projects, incorporating full institutes in AIDS, cancer CLIMATE
European champs four times. infrastructure and green MULTICULTURAL (Dutch cancer research Dutch consensus philosophy
It shares the 51,000-seater space. METROPOLIS papers are the second most ensures co-operation
Amsterdam ArenA stadium For centuries, Amsterdam has frequently cited), brain and between employers and
with the Amsterdam Admirals LOCAL GLOBAL HEROES been a “melting pot”, and its blood, and leading employees. The Netherlands
American football team. The Netherlands has its share international, cosmopolitan international institutions for has one of the lowest number
of indigenous global players, atmosphere explains its mathematics, computer of days lost to strikes in the
INDUSTRY and most are headquartered popularity with other science, nuclear and high European Union.
Manufacturing continues to in the area, including ABN- nationalities; 48 percent of energy physics. Start-up
play an important role in the AMRO, Ahold, ING, the city’s residents have a time for phase I of clinical TAX REGULATIONS
regional economy. Corus, the Heineken, KLM, Numico, foreign or dual nationality, trails is second to none, The Netherlands has a
Anglo-Dutch multi-metals Shell - even Philips, based in with 173 nationalities usually 4 to 6 weeks. Shell competitive tax regime that
giant has a major production Eindhoven since the late 19th represented. is building a New stimulates entrepreneurship
plant close to the harbour of century, moved its Amstelveen/Buitenveldert (in Technology Centre in North and foreign investment.
IJmuiden. headquarters to the Dutch the south of the Amsterdam Amsterdam for R&D in the While corporate tax rates are
capital. “From an Area), for example, is home to field of oil and chemicals. similar to those of its
INTERNATIONAL international perspective, the second largest Japanese Also located there are Shell European neighbours, the
ORGANISATIONS Amsterdam is an excellent community in Europe. Solar, Shell Wind and Shell Netherlands is known for its
Amsterdam’s stable and location from which to Hydrogen. very competitive tax climate
liberal democracy makes it a manage a large international OFFICE SPACE resulting from a far-reaching
popular place for NGOs and corporation,” says top man New building techniques SOUND OF MUSIC tax treaty network, its system
other international Gerard Kleisterlee. have recently opened up the Amsterdam boasts more than of bonded warehouses, and
organisations, such as marshy ground of the region 150 venues for music, the possibility to conclude
Greenpeace, GRI (Global LOW COST OF to high-rise developments, performance and theatre. advance tax rulings.
Reporting Initiative), RIPE LIVING/WORKING and the results are visible on These range from the pop
(Réseaux IP Européens), Telecommunications, the city’s skyline, especially in temple Paradiso to the TIME OFF
World Press Photo, Médecins transport and logistics costs the South Axis, at Teleport in Concertgebouw - its ‘golden’ The city has 28 parks and a
sans Frontières and the are among the cheapest in the Sloterdijk area, along the acoustics annually attract botanical garden, a 160-year-
International Bureau for Europe. Prime rents - in the River Amstel and on the visitors to 600 classical old zoo, and 800 sports
Fiscal Documentation. fast-rising office sites of the Beukenhorst Business Park, concerts (150 of which are by associations. You can row on
South Axis - are still only a close to Schiphol, and at the world-renowned Royal the Amstel, swim in 11
LIFE SCIENCES third of those in London and Schiphol Airport. Concertgebouw Orchestra), swimming pools, play on 40
There are many academic half those of Paris. The cost of making it one of the most sports field complexes and in
and research institutions with living for expatriates is one of PASSENGER TERMINAL popular classical music 20 sports halls.
life science links. Unilever, the lowest of any major Voted ‘Best New Passenger venues anywhere. The
DSM, Gist Brocades, Biogen European city. Terminal’ of Northern Europe Netherlands Opera has WORLD CLASS MUSEUMS
Idec and an increasing in 2000, and just ten established itself at the The best known of
number of bio businesses are LUXURY HOTELS minutes’ walk from Central forefront of the international Amsterdam’s 42 museums
based in the area. A biotech The city has 345 hotels with Station. The largest cruise music scene. and 141 galleries are the
incubator opened in 2002 at 43,000 available beds, ships in the world can moor Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk
the Sciencepark Amsterdam between them at the 600-metre quay. Last SPECIALITY CHEMICALS Museum of modern art, and
in East Amsterdam. accommodating nearly year, the PTA welcomed The port has become a the Van Gogh Museum,
8,000,000 overnight stays a almost 100 international magnet for the speciality boasting the largest
LIVING SPACE year. More than a dozen five cruise vessels and 641 river chemical industry and collection of the artist’s work.
Along the canals there are star hotels include the Hilton cruise vessels. chemical distribution In 2004 the Hermitage
stylish residences with in which John and Yoko once companies, including Amsterdam,
classic 17th century protested for peace, the RESEARCH AND AkzoNobel Catalysts, a branch of the State
interiors. The city’s former elegant riverside Amstel, the KNOWLEDGE CENTRE ExxonMobil Chemical, General Hermitage Museum in
docklands, which were the Japanese-owned Okura, the Amsterdam has two Electric Plastics, Sigma St. Petersburg opens in the
source of its Golden Age canal-side De l’Europe, universities and three Coatings, and Nichia Europe. Amstelhof building.

26. 26|AMSTERDAM AREA | BEING HERE CIVIC COMMITMENT TO ECONOMIC GROWTH
Contact us
Amsterdam has 800 years' experience in
welcoming foreigners. The region has fostered
a unique culture of hospitality and civic
co-operation that continues today.
AMSTERDAM BUSINESS
AMSTERDAM AIRPORT
ALMERE
PORT
Plans are being developed AREA
developing and expanding The Amsterdam ports
for a Business Technology The area is home to
In 28 years Almere has
the area’s business parks, consist of the ports of
and Life-style Park for international companies in
grown from population zero
Schiphol Real Estate, the IJmuiden, Beverwijk,
international high tech the automotive, aviation/
to a thriving community of
partner for locations at Zaanstad and Amsterdam
operations. aerospace, electronics,
about 180,000 people with
AirportCity Schiphol, that have high-tech port
financial, IT, life science,
all the necessary facilities
Amsterdam Business Port, facilities and space to
and professional services
for living, working and For more information,
which has large plots of land expand. Many international
recreation. Almere’s policy contact us sector. It is also a
available for logistic projects companies like BP Cargill,
,
is to create in time a city of T +31 36 548 46 00 distribution hub for many of
and is only a 20-minute Hitachi, Nichia and
the world’s largest logistic
350,000 people. F +31 36 539 99 20
drive from Schiphol and ING Starbucks have already
E business@almere.nl service providers.
Real Estate, one of the established operations in
W www.almere.nl
Today it is home to young
largest property investment and around the port area,
AAA is a partnership
professionals who favour the
companies in the including the Africa harbour
Mailing address: Dept. between nine organisations
area’s natural assets and
Amsterdam Area. basin, with nearly 700 acres
from the public and private
available housing, to Economic Affairs City of
available for transshipment
Almere, sector that either own or
expanding Dutch companies
AAA can provide practical operations, port-related
PO Box 200, who have investments in
searching for space and
assistance to companies industry and distribution
land or facilities in the
growth, and to an increasing 1300 AE Almere,
interested in setting up companies.
The Netherlands. airport area. They are the
number of global businesses
European operations in this
City of Amsterdam’s Foreign
who appreciate Almere’s
unique business location. The ports are specialised in
Investment Office,
accessibility (about 20
sectors such as chemical,
Haarlemmermeer, the area’s
minutes from Amsterdam),
thriving municipality with For more information, food, metalwork and
competitive land and office
logistics. The Amsterdam-
business parks and land contact us
prices, the quality of the
zoned for future industrial T +31 20 405 47 77 Rhine Canal provides direct
local workforce and the
access to Germany, Austria,
and commercial F +31 20 653 18 94
town’s advanced IT
Switzerland and the Danube
development, Kantoren E info@aaarea.nl
broadband infrastructure.
countries. There are excellent
Fonds Nederland, a property W www.aaarea.nl
Among the international
road and rail links and
investment company, KLM
companies who have chosen
Mailing address: Schiphol Airport is only a 20-
Royal Dutch Airlines, which
for Almere are Yakult
minute drive away.
has been based at Schiphol Amsterdam Airport Area,
Europe, ASM Europe, TYC,
since it was founded more PO Box 75700,
LG Electronics, Koyo Seiko,
1118 ZT Schiphol Airport, The Port Authority
than 80 years ago, the
Beiersdorf and Mitsubishi
The Netherlands. stimulates economic activity
Province of North Holland,
Caterpillar Forklift Europe.
in the Amsterdam North Sea
whose responsibilities
In 2002 the Almere Fashion
canal area. Its services
include regional economic
Centre with its innovative
range from assisting in
development, the Schiphol
stadium-style architecture
requests for various permits
Area Development
(see photo) opened its
and provisions, technical
Company, a public-private
doors.
partnership dedicated to

27. 27|AMSTERDAM AREA | BEST FOR BUSINESS
AMSTERDAM FOREIGN
INVESTMENT OFFICE
directs the lion’s share of its
consulting, recruitment, The Amsterdam Foreign PUBLISHER
economic development staff
location advice and Investment Office provides Amsterdam Foreign Investment Office
and resources toward the
construction. easy access to the city and the in close co-operation with
support and nurturing of firms
region. It has a wide-ranging Almere, Amsterdam Airport Area and
already established in the city
For more information, contact network of contacts in the the Amsterdam Port Authority
and the region.
us public and private sectors. We
T +31 20 523 45 60 help foreign and Dutch ART DIRECTION/DESIGN
F +31 20 523 40 60 companies to establish a The Amsterdam Foreign LandofPlenty, Antoin Buissink
E marketing@ successful operation, from Investment Office is part of
Amsterdam’s Economic
amsterdamports.nl initial exploration to start-up PHOTOGRAPHY
and beyond. We have the Development Department
W www.amsterdamports.nl Theo Vogel and Chris van Tongeren:
know-how - to solve problems and works in close co- portraits & principal photography.
Mailing address: Amsterdam for businesses entering an operation with a range of Additional photos: Hollandse Hoogte,
unfamiliar environment - and regional, national and
Port Authority, DRO-Vorm.
PO Box 19406, know-who - to provide international agencies. Its Cover image: Tulipa, L. Blok,
1000 GK Amsterdam, introductions to individuals, services are free, confidential Spaarnestad Fotoarchief
and without obligation.
The Netherlands. professional advisors, TEXT
agencies, and other sources Roderic Leigh, Garry Piggott,
Visiting address: Amsterdam that can provide assistance to For more information, Jules Marshall, Jane Szita
Port Authority, companies, expatriate staff contact us txtworks copy & concept: Frits Philips
De Ruyterkade 7, and their families. T +31 20 552 35 36 MAPS
F +31 20 552 28 60
1013 AA Amsterdam, MONOLAB urbanism-Architecture
The Netherlands. We can arrange tailor-made E afio@ez.amsterdam.nl
programmes to evaluate and W www.afio.amsterdam.nl PRINTING
The Amsterdam Port select business locations. We Drukkerij Mart.Spruijt bv
Authority has representatives can assist in the recruitment Mailing address: Amsterdam
in both Germany (Düsseldorf) of staff and in obtaining work Foreign Investment Office, PROJECT MANAGEMENT
PO Box 2133,
and the United States (New visas and permits. We can LandofPlenty, Antoin Buissink
locate suitable housing and 1000 CC Amsterdam,
Jersey and Texas).
advise on international and The Netherlands. Every effort has been made to ensure
local schools. We can arrange that the information in this brochure
meetings with foreign or local Visiting address: was accurate at the time of going to
executives who are active in Weesperstraat 89, press. We apologise for any errors or
business in the region. With Metropool Building 4th floor, omissions.
the same awareness that 1018 VN Amsterdam,
makes companies focus on The Netherlands.
current customers as their
greatest opportunity for
increasing sales, Amsterdam

28. 28|AMSTERDAM AREA | MAIN BUSINESS AREAS
S
The business hub at the heart of Europe AM
R
TE
M
DA
EA
AR
The Amsterdam Area offers a vast historical centre, in green-field sites, in areas, alongside key waterways and academic and research institutions,
choice of business locations – business parks boasting advanced IT motorways and near international air in the ports of Amsterdam and at
in canal-side settings in the city's infrastructures, in urban regeneration and rail connections, close by Schiphol Airport.
For more information call the
Amsterdam Foreign Investment Office
today at +31 20 552 35 36 or go to
www.afio.amsterdam.nl.