Of all the foreign firms operating in the Netherlands, American companies contribute most to the Dutch economy, according to new figures from the national statistics office CBS.

Some 12% of private sector turnover of €165bn is due to companies originating in the US, many of which focus on information technology, the CBS said. In total, US companies account for just over one in five foreign firms.

German companies are in second place. Some 17% of foreign firms in the Netherlands have a German parent. Britain is in third place, accounting for 10% of foreign firms.

US companies also top the list in terms of added value and employment. In total, some 4.6% of the workforce in the Netherlands works for an American company, the CBS said.