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Country facts
| Capital city: |
Amsterdam |
| Surface area: |
42,000 sq km |
| Population: |
16.6 million |
| Official language(s): |
Dutch |
| Head of State: |
H.M. Queen Beatrix |
| Head of Government: |
H.E. Prime Minister Dr Jan Peter Balkenende |
| Australian exports to the Netherlands: |
A$2,863 million |
| Australian imports from the Netherlands: |
A$1,555 million |
| The Netherlands' principal export destinations: |
Germany, Belgium, UK |
| The Netherlands' principal import sources: |
Germany, Belgium, China | (Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Country economic fact sheet)
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For a country with a small population, the Netherlands has a large and powerful economic position. It is the world’s eighth largest exporting country (third largest in the export of food), the sixth-largest source of investment, and its gross domestic product (GDP) is the 15th highest in the world. The Dutch economy is extremely open to world trade as well to the other members of European Union (EU) or the other parts of the world.
Key economic indicators and statistics for 2008:
- GDP – US$909.5 billion
- GPD per capita – US$54,445
- Real GDP growth – 2.3 per cent
- Inflation – 2.9 per cent
(Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Country economic fact sheet) |
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The capital of the Netherlands is Amsterdam, but the seat of government and location of ministries and embassies is The Hague. The Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system. The head of state is Her Majesty Queen Beatrix who was crowned in 1980. The country is governed by a parliamentary democracy underpinned by a written constitution.
The Prime Minister is the Christian Democrats leader, Dr Jan Peter Balkenende. During the current weak economic climate, the government focused on a strict fiscal policy to keep in line with the European Union requirements ('Stability Pact'). |
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Trade relations and statistics
Major Australian exports to the Netherlands (2007-08):
- Coal – A$791 million
- Zinc ores and concentrates – A$402 million
- Medicaments (including veterinary) – A$152 million
- Alcoholic beverages – A$92 million
Major Australian imports from the Netherlands (2007-08):
- Medicaments (including veterinary) – A$114 million
- Pharm products (excluding medicaments) – A$80 million
- Mechanical handling equipment and parts – A$74 million
- Road motor vehicles – A$58 million
(Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Country economic fact sheet) |
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