The Netherlands               

VII.

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In 2006, the Netherlands was the Philippines' 7th trading partner, accounting for 5.25% share of the total Philippine trade with the world of US$99.18 Billion; 3^rd as an export market accounting for 10.1% share of the total exports of the Philippines to the world of US$ 47.41 billion; and 17^th as an import source, accounting for .80% share of the total Philippine imports from the world of US$ 51.77 Billion.

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V.   MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

• The Dutch automotive parts and accessories market is lucrative with sales expected to increase by 30% in the year 2010. Important information on the Dutch market:  88 percent of the population spends money on luxury and comfort items for their cars; 5 percent on added safety features and 18 percent on the automobile's appearance.  The total number of registered automobiles (including SUV and light trucks) in the Netherlands is 7.9 million, a relatively high number, given that the total population of the Netherlands is only 16.5 million.
  
  

• A continuing trend is the growing Dutch interest in car customizing. Philippine manufacturers of high quality and price-competitive alloy wheels (HS-870870500), seat covers (HS-630493000) and other interior and exterior accessories for European cars will find a niche in the Dutch auto parts replacement market.
  
  

• The Dutch cosmetics industry amounts to about US$2.3 Billion, or an average spending of $149 per person per year. Areas with the highest market growth include: decorative cosmetics with a 9.8 percent increase, skin care with a 6.5 percent increase, and hair care with a 6.4 percent increase. The hair care market is the biggest product category seller and represents 22.5 percent of the sales in the cosmetic industry.
  
  

• Due to the aging population trend in the Netherlands , and all over the European Union, anti-ageing creams and therapeutic product  (cosmeceutical) sales are on the  rise.  Moreover, consumers   are willing to pay more for  products that provide multiple functions (lipstick with sun protection), or time savings ( applied quick and longer lasting) benefits.
  
  

• For IT related products the best prospects are: all types of standard applications, storage management software, customer relationship management (CRM), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and Supply Chain Management (SCM) products Product Date Management (PDM), E-procurement and another applications;  and game software for the consumer market.
  
  

• Demand for external services, particularly outsourcing of ICT activities, is strongest from financial organizations, telecommunications industry, central government, Dutch multinationals, and the public utility and health care sectors. 
  
  

• Consumer expenditure on sporting goods has increased in recent years.  In the camping goods business, approximately 1.9 million Dutch own a tent. Moreover, 671,000 people have mobile trailers or a camper and 247,000 have a semi-mobile home or a summer house. In addition to camping and recreational sports, vacation sports are also becoming increasingly popular.
  
  

• Approximately 1.5 million Dutch do a fitness sport, half of whom visit one of the 1,400 to 1,600 fitness centers in the Netherlands . Overall, there are approximately 30,000  sports  clubs and sports gyms with 5.7 million members.
  
  

• Many people find an alternative way of working out, bringing the estimated total number of people that exercise up to nine million.  Philippine exporters can find a niche in this area by supplying sporting goods and accessories such sports wear, caps, sun visors, garments for these  sport activities, sport footwear and the like.
  
  

• The premium and gifting industry in Holland is worth around US$877 million yearly. Ballpens top the 10 products most in demand products, ahead of key rings, lighters, memo blocks, calculators and umbrellas. Also high on the wanted list are T-shirts, calendars, agenda pads and match packs.

Source: google.com, tdc.com, cbi.nl, CIA Worldfact Book 2007

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1. http://www.cbi.eu - Market Information for the EU and selected individual country-members.  Free registration.
   
   

2. http://europa.eu/index_en.htm - Official website of the European Commission. FREE access.
   
   

3. http://export-help.cec.eu.int - Online service provided by the European Commission to facilitate market access to the European Union for developing countries. Includes information on EU GSP. FREE access.

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