The influence of foreign companies and investors on corporate Holland has increased over the past 10 years, according to new figures from the national statistics office CBS.

In 2006, non-financial service sector firms contributed some €305bn to the Dutch economy, of which just over 25% was generated by foreign firms. In 1996, the figure was 19%, the CBS said.
In particular, transport and communications sector companies are popular with foreign investors, the CBS said. For example, flag carrier KLM has been taken over by Air France and former state monopoly holder KPN faces competition from a large number of foreign telecoms groups.