The number of bankruptcies in the Netherlands increased by 68% to 7,045 this year compared to 2008, according to a survey by data provider Dun & Bradstreet, report various media on Tuesday.

The construction, industrial and financial services sectors were the hardest hit.
The researchers said 2009 was unusual in that many large companies also went bankrupt such as the car firm Kroymans, DSB Bank and pop star Marco Borsato’s Entertainment Group.