Business News in English
Latest business headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
DHL Express employees on strike again
DHL Express employees in the North-Netherlands are conducting a day-long strike on Tuesday organized by unions FNV and CNV. This action represents the fourth strike in a short period resulting from an...
Record new construction for housing associations, but still 10,000 homes a year short
Dutch housing corporations built a record 21,500 new homes last year, according to figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Despite this achievement, the sector still falls 10,000 units short of the...
Major renovation of Woonopmaat flats too expensive, housing association looks to Diepenbrock in Heemskerk
Housing association Woonopmaat has canceled plans to renovate three apartment blocks near Heliomare after determining the project was too complex and financially unfeasible. The organization is now sh...
One in three new homes in Haarlem was from a housing association last year
In Haarlem, housing corporations accounted for 70 of the 240 new homes completed last year. These figures, released by Statistics Netherlands (CBS), show that nearly one-third of the city's new housin...
Harteheem in Heemkerk to be redeveloped. New construction to start in 2028: ‘Major step toward a more sustainable and greener Harteheem’
The Hartekamp Groep has announced plans to redevelop the Harteheem care facility in Heemskerk to improve safety, sustainability, and overall modernization. The project aims to replace outdated buildin...
Fraud report filed against home battery sellers: ‘It’s always the same people’
The Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has filed a fraud report against home battery sellers who use deceptive tactics to lock consumers into contracts costing up to €20,000. Victims ar...
Older workers spared while younger ones take on more: ‘Pressure will continue to rise’
As the state pension age rises in the Netherlands, more older employees are opting to reduce their working hours leading up to retirement. Employers express concern that this trend will create an unfa...
Struggling W Hotel to be overhauled after all: ‘The lobby must become a living room for the city’
Australia and EU sign major free trade agreement after years of negotiations
Australia and the European Union signed a comprehensive free trade agreement in Canberra on Tuesday following years of negotiations. The deal aims to strengthen economic ties and facilitate trade betw...
Police release footage of suspicious explosion at Zuidas office building
Bahrain drafts UN resolution against Iranian shipping attacks
Bahrain has drafted a United Nations Security Council resolution seeking authorization for countries to use all necessary means to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The proposal fol...
Large part of Dutch fishing fleet stays in port due to high fuel prices
A significant portion of the Dutch fishing fleet is remaining in port this week due to soaring fuel prices. The trade association VisNed described the decision to stay ashore as a highly exceptional m...
Epe imposes penalty on Fletcher over asylum shelter, chain refuses to pay
The municipality of Epe has imposed a daily fine of 17,250 euros on Fletcher Hotels for continuing to house asylum seekers past a set deadline. The hotel chain faces a maximum penalty of 3.1 million e...
Idea Books distribution center destroyed by fire at scooter company
Barge springs leak at lock complex, nearly sinks, but hole is temporarily patched
An inland navigation vessel developed a leak and nearly sank on Monday afternoon at the Steigersweg along the North Sea Canal. Emergency response teams were able to perform provisional repairs to stab...
Stock markets end higher despite Iranian denial of talks
European stock markets closed higher on Monday following US President Donald Trump's announcement of a five-day pause in attacks on Iranian energy facilities to facilitate talks. Market gains were lat...
Business owners hit hard by devastating fire: "Everything I have built is gone"
A devastating fire at the Nieuwe Hemweg in Amsterdam's Westpoort area has destroyed multiple business premises, primarily affecting small entrepreneurs in the food sector. Many business owners lost th...
Coach companies fear losing customers due to higher fuel costs
Dutch touring car companies are concerned about losing customers as they attempt to pass on rising fuel costs to their clients. This particularly impacts businesses providing transport for school trip...
Farewell, encryption: Meta will soon be able to see your private Instagram messages
Starting in May, Meta will discontinue the option for encrypted private messaging on Instagram. This change means the company will be able to access and monitor users' personal communications on the p...
Schiphol ruling has no immediate impact on number of flights
The maximum number of flights at Schiphol Airport will remain unchanged for now following a ruling by the Council of State that scrapped certain regulations. The Human Environment and Transport Inspec...
Name brands regain ground: sugar-free drinks and protein products especially popular
Major consumer brands like Coca-Cola and Milka are regaining market share from private labels by focusing on sugar-free and protein-rich products. Energy drink brands Monster and Red Bull were among t...
Poesiat & Kater brewery moves from Amsterdam East to Weesp and launches crowdfunding campaign
Employment centers to end maze of service desks for job seekers
New Work Centers are being established across the Netherlands to provide a simplified, accessible point of contact for job seekers and employers without the need for appointments. The initiative aims ...
XR occupies provincial hall: "Close polluting Tata Steel plant"
Extinction Rebellion activists are currently occupying the Noord-Holland provincial government building in Haarlem to demand the immediate closure of Tata Steel's most polluting facilities. The protes...
Schiphol steps up emission monitoring after regulator reprimand
Van Gaal to continue advising new Ajax leadership
Louis van Gaal will continue to serve as an advisor for Ajax following discussions with the club's new supervisory board. The agreement was confirmed after a meeting with board chairman Lesley Bamberg...
Oil prices drop about 10 percent after Trump's remarks on Iran
Oil prices dropped by approximately 10 percent on Monday following remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Iran. Trump announced a five-day pause on attacks against Iranian energy facilities ...
ACM fears VolkerWessels takeover could hinder competition
The Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has expressed concerns that the acquisition of construction firm VolkerWessels by investment company HAL could negatively impact competition. The re...
Only 48 municipalities plan to extend hospitality hours during World Cup
Only 48 Dutch municipalities currently plan to extend opening hours for bars and cafes during the upcoming FIFA World Cup. The trade association Royal Hospitality Netherlands notes that many matches w...
With these devious tricks, TikTok and games like Roblox swindle you out of money: ‘People are defenseless’
Research from Wijzer in Geldzaken reveals that over 40% of Dutch teenagers spend significantly more money than intended on video games and apps due to manipulative design tactics. This overspending, o...