The Netherlands earned €66bn last year on the export of services, equivalent to 10% of gross domestic product, the national statistics office CBS said on Thursday.

In 1995 international service exports accounted for 7% of GDP, the statistics office said. At the same time, however, the added value of service exports fell from 67 cents per euro to 55 cents per euro. This is because more foreign firms are trading services – such as intellectual property rights – through the Netherlands, the CBS said.

IT, consultancy, transport and dredging are among the most important services traded through the Netherlands today, the CBS said.

In 1995, wholesaling and trade accounted for the bulk international service exports.

The US is the Netherlands’ biggest service trading partner, generating earnings of €8.7bn. Britain was in second place, followed by Switzerland.