Economy News in English

Weak regions hit hard by high energy prices

The Dutch economy is showing resilience despite high energy prices and the ongoing war, with growth expected to continue even if oil prices remain at elevated levels. However, this economic progress i...

Minister: Canceling American VAT system contract will cost money

State Secretary Eelco Eerenberg warned that terminating the contract with the American firm Fast Enterprises for the new Dutch VAT IT system would result in legal and financial repercussions. The gove...

Netherlands deems nearly €2 trillion EU budget too large: ‘This is unacceptable’

The Netherlands, alongside Belgium, Sweden, and Finland, has rejected the European Commission's proposed €2 trillion multi-annual budget for 2028-2034, calling the €800 billion increase unacceptab...

Shipowners cautious about military mission in Strait of Hormuz

The Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners (KVNR) has expressed opposition to a Dutch military mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The organization warns that participating in such a mission ...

What it’s like to be the face of a supermarket: ‘Lammers would have to make twenty films for that kind of money’

After thirteen years, Dutch supermarket chain Jumbo is replacing its long-time brand ambassador Frank Lammers with entertainer Rob Kemps. Reporter Jurriaan Nolles provides insight into the role and fi...

Bad news for homebuyers: Middle East war leads to more expensive mortgages

Rising oil and gas prices triggered by the conflict in the Middle East are causing interest rates to rise. This shift reverses previous expectations of lower rates and is expected to make mortgages mo...

Man uses deepfakes to open 46 accounts at ABN AMRO

A Dutch man used deepfake technology to forge identity documents and open 46 bank accounts at ABN AMRO last year. These accounts were subsequently used to commit fraud by placing orders under other pe...

European trade committee to vote on US trade deal this Thursday after all

The European Parliament's trade committee decided on Tuesday to proceed with a vote this Thursday on a portion of a trade agreement with the United States. The announcement was made by committee membe...

Household costs rise by tens of euros due to record prices at the pump

Record-high gasoline and diesel prices are increasing monthly household expenses by several tens of euros. While frequent drivers and low-income families are the most affected, the direct financial im...

Transavia also introduces fuel surcharge due to rising fuel prices

Budget airline Transavia has introduced a fuel surcharge of five euros on several flights starting this week in response to rising kerosene prices. The company confirmed the decision on Tuesday, follo...

No fiber optic prospects yet for half a million addresses

Approximately half a million addresses in the Netherlands currently lack a concrete plan for fiber optic installation, according to research by Telecompaper. High construction costs and the small scal...

Jumbo ends 13-year partnership with Frank Lammers, this is his successor

After thirteen years, the Dutch supermarket chain Jumbo is ending its collaboration with actor Frank Lammers, who played the lead role in their television commercials. Lammers will be replaced by a ne...

Kallas rejects normalizing relations with Moscow

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has rejected a proposal by Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever to normalize relations with Russia. De Wever suggested the move to restore access to cheap oil, but ...

Turmoil at online home store Fonq: ordering halted, suspension of payments requested

Online home retailer Fonq has suspended all orders as of Tuesday after applying for a suspension of payments. The move indicates significant financial distress for the company, preventing customers fr...

Highest court rejects Odido appeal against Huawei ban

The Dutch Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal has rejected an appeal by telecom provider Odido against a government ban on using equipment from Chinese suppliers Huawei and ZTE. The court ruled that t...

Argentine wine crisis deepens: 'People no longer drink wine in large quantities'

The Argentine wine industry is facing its most significant crisis in over 15 years due to a sharp decline in domestic consumption and falling exports. As production continues to decrease, industry exp...

Zelensky to EU: Oil through Druzhba pipeline to resume in 1.5 months

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky informed the European Commission that oil flow through the damaged Druzhba pipeline is expected to resume within one and a half months. He stated in a letter tha...

Seats and Sofas compensates customers who wrongly paid for warranty

Furniture retailer Seats and Sofas is compensating nearly 1,500 customers who were wrongfully charged for furniture inspections. The company will refund over 100,000 euros to individuals who were enti...

Netherlands to launch defense credit institution with Finland and UK

The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Finland are planning to establish a new credit institution dedicated to defense projects. This initiative aims to support the defense industry and accelerate r...

ABN AMRO also restricts interest-only mortgage options

ABN AMRO has announced it will limit interest-only mortgages to a maximum of 30 percent of a property's value starting June 1. The bank joins Rabobank and ASN Bank, which have recently introduced simi...

Haarlem New-East: A new district with 7,500 homes on both sides of the Ringvaart. Frank Visser (CU) strongly believes in it

The city of Haarlem is planning the development of a new district called Haarlem Nieuw-Oost, which will include at least 7,500 new homes on both sides of the Ringvaart. The project also features local...

AI giant Anthropic backed by Big Tech in clash with Trump: ‘Don’t spy on citizens with technology’

Anthropic is engaged in a legal dispute with the U.S. government, refusing to allow its AI technology to be used for citizen surveillance. Major tech firms like Apple and Amazon are supporting the fir...

Civil servants to strike again in mid-April

Dutch state civil servants are scheduled to hold a nationwide strike on Tuesday, April 14, due to an ongoing dispute regarding their collective labor agreement. The industrial action follows previous ...

Couple finds dead mouse in bag of Jumbo green beans: 'Incredibly nauseous'

A Rotterdam couple discovered a dead mouse inside a bag of frozen green beans purchased from a Jumbo supermarket. The supermarket chain confirmed the incident after it was initially reported by Dutch ...

Toy manufacturer recalls magnetic building set over safety risks

Toy manufacturer Selecta Spel en Hobby has issued a recall for a magnetic building set sold at Kruidvat and Trekpleister stores. The recall was prompted by safety risks involving magnets that can come...

Petrol prices continue to rise: already above 2.50 euros per liter

The average suggested retail price for gasoline in the Netherlands rose to over 2.50 euros per liter on Tuesday morning. This increase nearly matches the record fuel prices previously seen in 2022.

Zee- and Duinwijk Platform concerned about divide within municipality: 'Every neighborhood in Velsen deserves the same attention and opportunities'

Platform Zee- en Duinwijk has expressed concerns about a growing socio-economic divide within the municipality of Velsen. Issues such as poverty, unemployment, and safety concerns are reportedly creat...

Dublin artists thrive thanks to basic income, is that something for Amsterdam?

Van Veldhoven: EU examines pros and cons of price cap

EU energy ministers are currently evaluating the potential advantages and disadvantages of implementing a price cap on gas. Dutch Climate Minister Stientje van Veldhoven warned that while a cap could ...

Why Europe calls for less China while welcoming Joybuy

The Chinese webshop Joybuy has officially launched in the Netherlands, highlighting a contradiction as European politicians advocate for reduced economic dependence on China. The article examines why ...