The Netherlands has re-entered a Swiss index on the most competitive economies in the world at number eight after a five year absence, the Financieele Dagblad reports. The Netherlands was in 15th place in the 2005 International Institute for Management Development index.

The improved Dutch position is due to economic growth, low inflation and budget strategy, the paper says. Labour market reforms and rising exports were also driving forces behind the improved Dutch ranking. Luxembourg is the top EU country on the list, which is led by the US, Singapore and Hong Kong.