NETHERLANDS, October 22, 2007: The Netherlands has been looking beyond its borders for a viable international market to export to and a country to import skilled and educated workers from. India has been the central focus where both these options are prevalent.
The Dutch Trade Board’s “India Action Plan” and the Social and Economic Council of Netherlands’ advisory report on labour migration policy spoke of a ‘billion Indian consumers’ whose purchasing power offered “new opportunities thanks to the new climate of liberalization”
The monarchy of the Netherlands, Queen Beatrix visited India the end of October accompanied by the CEO’s of 8 Dutch companies. A Dutch official was reported as saying, “”We need a market and a workforce. You need investments and employment avenues. We both win.” As a result Dutch immigration policy has changed, issuing an easy visa for knowledgeable and highly skilled workers from India. Indians already account for 30 per cent of skilled migrants into Holland. Hindus are known to keep their religious and cultural identity while adapting harmoniously into the Netherland’s society.