The Netherlands has kept its triple-A rating although the economic outlook remains negative, according to credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s.

S&P says the AAA rating reflects the country’s diversified and competitive economy and the long tradition of sensible and flexible macro-economic policy. The competitive power of the Dutch economy is supported by the very productive population and the well-developed infrastructure, the ratings agency says.
However, the outlook remains negative because of the possibility of pressure on the Dutch financial sector, a worse than expected dip in consumer demand and a weaker global economic climate.