Business News in English
Latest business headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Damen at risk of losing another major order: Belgium seeks different builder for frigates
Shipbuilder Damen, based in Vlissingen, faces the loss of a multi-billion euro contract after the Belgian Minister of Defence announced plans to seek an alternative manufacturer for two frigates. This...
Heatwaves hardly lead to staff absenteeism
Despite warnings from unions regarding the health risks of working in high temperatures, employees in sectors such as construction and hospitality are largely unaffected by heatwaves. Most employers h...
Renting a car in Ibiza is becoming expensive, if they are even available
Rental car availability on the island of Ibiza has decreased significantly, leading to a sharp rise in prices. Travelers booking for early August are now paying up to 50% more compared to the previous...
The Netherlands is adding ten power substations a day and they are looking increasingly stylish
The number of electrical transformer houses in the Netherlands is increasing by ten per day to meet rising energy demands. As these facilities become more common, there is a growing emphasis on improv...
Shadowy world behind freelancer marketplace: ‘He drains people completely dry’
The freelance platform ProLinker is being accused of fraudulent activities, including posting fake AI-generated job vacancies and failing to pay dozens of freelancers. The platform has also been linke...
Molotov cocktails and death threats: AI rage now also targeting tech bosses
CEOs of major AI companies, such as Sam Altman of OpenAI and Dario Amodei of Anthropic, are now under heavy security protection due to increasing public anger. These executives are facing threats and ...
Cost of mobile data while traveling drops due to new eSIM providers
The rise of travel e-SIM providers is increasing competition and driving down roaming costs for mobile internet outside the EU. These digital alternatives are now offering larger data bundles and more...
Gert had been director of his family business for years, then he was done: 'There had to be more in the world'
After decades as the director of his family business, 58-year-old Gert decided to resign to travel and explore new experiences. He shared his story of taking on various side jobs in the Netherlands to...
Stricter rules for electric car manufacturers in Hungary
Hungary is planning to implement stricter environmental regulations and higher taxes for its electric vehicle manufacturing sector. This shift marks a departure from the previous policies that offered...
Reselling your own solar power could be a solution to the end of net metering, but it's not taking off
Reselling surplus solar energy to others was proposed as a solution to the upcoming expiration of the net metering scheme in the Netherlands. However, the implementation is failing to gain momentum du...
More first-time buyers use starter loans: 'Leads to higher prices'
The number of starter loans for first-time homebuyers in the Netherlands increased by 15 percent compared to the previous year. While these loans help young people enter the housing market, experts wa...
Shuffling of money, delays and a 1.1 billion euro deficit: it is now make-or-break for the Zuidasdok megaproject
Remy Harrewijn founded the Netherlands' first 'urban winery' with Chateau Amsterdam, but had to sell it to avoid bankruptcy
Why the fashion calendar is stalling due to longer heatwaves in the Netherlands
Clothing retailers in the Netherlands are struggling to keep up with consumer demand for summer apparel due to longer heatwaves. The misalignment between seasonal stock and current weather patterns is...
Ajax pays nearly 20 million for Brazilian striker: ‘We have been charmed by him for a long time’
Ajax has officially signed 23-year-old Brazilian striker Marcos Leonardo from the Saudi club Al-Hilal for nearly 20 million euros. The player has signed a five-year contract with the Amsterdam-based c...
Investigation into underground bank at Surinamese shop leads police to new suspect and drugs
A police investigation into an underground banking operation at a Surinamese shop in Rotterdam has led to the identification of a new suspect. Authorities discovered evidence on seized electronic devi...
New in Amsterdam: Tamar (25) opens a pink Korean beauty shop
Tamar, a 25-year-old entrepreneur, has opened a new Korean beauty store on Heiligeweg in Amsterdam. The shop features a distinctive pink interior and organizes its beauty products according to specifi...
Defense personnel receive significant 6.5 percent pay raise
Military and civilian personnel at the Dutch Ministry of Defence will receive a 6.5 percent salary increase starting September 1, with an additional 2 percent raise planned for 2028. This measure is i...
'Mr. HiFi Solutions' Rick (61) bids farewell to his audio store after 35 years: 'Here you can give customers goosebumps, sometimes even tears in their eyes'
Mortgage rates rise sharply due to developments in Iran and Ukraine
Mortgage interest rates in the Netherlands have increased significantly this week due to ongoing geopolitical tensions in Iran and Ukraine. Nearly all lenders have raised their rates, with several ins...
Failure of soy agreement threatens Amazon area the size of a third of the Netherlands
The collapse of a soy agreement earlier this year could lead to 1.4 million hectares of additional deforestation in the Amazon. The World Wide Fund for Nature warns that this loss, equivalent to one-t...
EU allows industry more emissions but maintains climate goals
Starting in 2031, the European Union will allow the industry more leeway for carbon emissions and lower costs in exchange for commitments to green production. Brussels aims to balance industrial compe...
Viaplay back in the black, but international ambitions are over
Streaming service Viaplay has reported its first profit in over two years as it recovers from a major financial crisis. As part of its strategy to curb international expansion, the company has also so...
Aerospace and defense have a mountain of orders but too few parts
The aviation and defense sectors are experiencing a significant increase in demand for new equipment. However, manufacturers are struggling to meet this record-high order volume due to ongoing shortag...
ASML gives 44,500 employees a share package worth 20,000 euros
ASML has announced a retention plan offering employees a stock package worth 20,000 euros, provided they remain with the company until January 1, 2030. This initiative aims to maintain staff retention...
Dutch Consumers' Association threatens action over 'fake discounts' at Amazon and bol
The Dutch Consumers' Association (Consumentenbond) has accused Amazon and bol of using misleading 'fake discounts' on their platforms. The organization is threatening legal action against both retaile...
Netflix viewers increasingly choosing non-English series, including those from the Netherlands
Dutch films and series are increasingly reaching a global audience on Netflix, with titles like Amsterdam Empire and iHostage ranking as the most popular Dutch content this year. This trend coincides ...
European companies at risk due to password software with Russian ties
European companies with critical infrastructure have been using password management software called Passwork, which is actually based in Russia. Cybersecurity experts warn that this poses a significan...
Water shortage forces builders into action: new homes to feature 4,500-liter rainwater storage under floors
Due to ongoing water shortages in the Netherlands, some builders and homebuyers are implementing new systems to use 4500 liters of stored rainwater under floors for daily tasks like flushing toilets. ...
FNV announces new actions, including 24-hour rail strike
The trade union FNV has announced a series of protest actions throughout the first two weeks of September, affecting the government, ports, and hospitals. Additionally, the union plans to organize a 2...