Economy News in English
Latest economy headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Minister Vijlbrief to reconsider harsh benefit cuts after all
The Dutch cabinet is reconsidering proposed budget cuts to unemployment and disability benefits. Social Affairs Minister Hans Vijlbrief indicated that the government will look for ways to soften the i...

Third customer finds mouse in Jumbo frozen green beans
A third customer has reported finding a mouse inside a package of frozen green beans from the supermarket chain Jumbo. Following these reports, the company has removed all of the affected product pack...

Vijlbrief: WIA situation alarming, intervention inevitable
Minister Hans Vijlbrief of Social Affairs has described the situation regarding the Dutch disability benefit scheme (WIA) as alarming. He emphasized that urgent intervention is required to keep the pr...

European billion-euro sustainability fund yields too little
The European Union's innovation fund for sustainability is yielding fewer results than expected due to the slow deployment of capital. Intended to support new technologies for reducing greenhouse gas ...

Zelensky warns EU summit: we cannot do without the money
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed European leaders to emphasize the critical need for a 90 billion euro support package. He described the funding as a vital financial security guarantee...

Ten percent more Amsterdam youth on unemployment benefits, higher than national average
The number of young people under 27 in Amsterdam receiving unemployment benefits rose by 10% last year, surpassing the national average of 8% due to high employment in volatile sectors like hospitalit...

Fine and community service for EU subsidy fraud
A researcher in Limburg has been sentenced to a 10,000 euro fine and 60 hours of community service for fraud involving European cancer research subsidies. The European Public Prosecutor's Office handl...

Qatari gas supply under pressure for years due to damage from Iranian attacks
Recent attacks from Iran have caused permanent damage to Qatar's LNG installations, which QatarEnergy warns could take years to repair. This disruption is expected to have long-term consequences for t...

New rules to bring peace to Rotterdam airport residents
The Dutch government is implementing new regulations to significantly reduce noise pollution near Rotterdam The Hague Airport. The airport will close almost entirely at night, and the frequency of fli...

KLM suspends flights to Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam until May 17
KLM has suspended all flights to Dubai, Riyadh, and Dammam until May 17 due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. This decision impacts routes from the airline's hub in the Netherlands to both t...

Eurozone interest rate remains unchanged amid Iran unrest
The European Central Bank has kept the eurozone's key interest rate unchanged at 2 percent for the sixth consecutive time. This decision, made amid unrest in Iran, also saw the bank lower its economic...

Starmer condemns Iranian attack on Qatar gas facility
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has strongly condemned an Iranian attack on a gas facility in Qatar that occurred on Wednesday night. QatarEnergy reported significant damage and multiple fires at ...

Airlines warn ticket prices will rise due to Iran war
Major European airlines warn that flight ticket prices will increase as jet fuel costs rise due to the conflict in the Middle East. Travelers can expect higher fares as a direct result of these increa...
Corendon is the new operator of the luxury W Hotel in Amsterdam

Support for youth during Money Week
During the national Money Week in the Netherlands, various walk-in sessions will be held in Haarlem to help young people with financial questions regarding loans, taxes, and debt. The initiative aims ...

Gas supply secure for now, Dutch reserves almost empty
Gas network operator Gasunie reports that the gas supply for the Netherlands remains secure for the near future despite national reserves being nearly depleted. The risk of shortages is currently low ...

European Parliament takes step toward approving US trade deal
The European Parliament's trade committee has approved a portion of a trade agreement between the European Union and the United States. This decision brings the overall trade deal one step closer to f...
Ditch the phone, at Mooie Boules you learn to talk to others again: ‘We’ve forgotten how’
Mooie Boules, a company nominated for the National Entrepreneur Prize, offers nine locations where people can play jeu de boules without using their phones. Founded after spontaneous games at Amsterda...
Which company wins our Entrepreneurship Award this year? Vote for one of these nine candidates!
The public is invited to vote for one of nine small and medium-sized enterprise nominees for the National Entrepreneurship Award. The winner of this year's competition will be decided by the votes cas...

Fundraising for US weapons for Ukraine behind schedule
European allies are falling behind schedule in raising funds for the PURL procurement program, which is designed to purchase essential American weapons for Ukraine. The initiative has currently failed...
Dutch gas supply not at risk, but winter reserves nearly empty: 'No problem yet'
According to gas network operator Gasunie, the gas supply for the Netherlands and surrounding countries remains stable despite recent attacks on installations in Qatar. While the Netherlands does not ...

Oil price rises by more than 10 percent due to Middle East war
The price of Brent crude oil rose by more than 10 percent on Thursday morning following conflict in the Middle East. This price hike is attributed to the ongoing war and recent Iranian attacks on ener...

Charities chase trillion-euro inheritance
Dutch elderly are expected to leave behind a record 1,000 billion euros in inheritances, marking the largest wealth transfer in history. Charities are increasingly targeting these funds, though some e...

De Wever qualifies stance on buying Russian energy at EU summit
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever clarified his position on importing Russian energy ahead of an EU summit, stating he does not seek an immediate normalization of relations with Moscow. He specifie...
New Jumbo CEO saw in first 75 days that Jumbo has lost its luster: 'We spend hours in meetings'
Jumbo's new CEO, Jesper Højer, observed during his first 75 days that the supermarket chain has become overly complex and lost its competitive edge. He aims to revitalize the company by improving pro...

Haarlem residents Alain and Karin hesitated about their trip to Cuba but went anyway: ‘We are helping the Cubans, because every peso counts’
Alain and Karin Timmers from Haarlem decided to proceed with their trip to Cuba despite the country's worsening economic crisis and fuel shortages. They believe their visit supports the local populati...

European gas price jumps 35% after attack on massive Middle East gas fields
European gas prices surged by 35% on Thursday morning following attacks on gas installations in the Middle East. The price spike was recorded at the Amsterdam gas exchange, which serves as the benchma...

Unemployment rises to highest level in four years
Unemployment in the Netherlands rose slightly to 4.1 percent in February, reaching its highest level in four years. According to Statistics Netherlands (CBS), the rate had previously remained at 4 per...
Oil prices continue to rise: petrol and diesel more expensive again in the Netherlands
Oil prices have increased following attacks on major energy facilities in the Middle East, including a key gas production site in Qatar. This has led to a subsequent rise in the recommended prices for...

Fishermen caught between hope and fear: High fuel prices make fishing barely profitable
High fuel prices have made fishing activities barely profitable, leaving Dutch fishermen facing significant financial uncertainty. Jan Visser, working on his shrimp cutter in the IJmuiden harbor, exem...