[OPENING TUNE]
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Welcome to the Webinar...
...starting a business in the Netherlands.
Starting a business in the Netherlands is an attractive option...
...for foreign entrepreneurs.
But how do you go about setting up your business?
What do you need to know?
Which permits do you need and what taxes can you expect to pay?
Those topics will be discussed by experts and experienced entrepreneurs.
Do you have a question?
Use the live chat option underneath the video screen to ask our specialists.
They will reply directly.
[SCENE TRANSITION TUNE]
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: If you are a foreign entrepreneur...
...wanting to start a company in the Netherlands...
...then you will need a residence permit, a work permit, a citizen service number...
...and of course accommodation.
We are going to discuss what you need to do and how to do it...
...with Willem Drost from StartupDelta...
...and Gülten Çankaya from the Dutch immigration and naturalisation service...
...the IND.
Welcome to you both.
GÜLTEN ÇANKAYA: Thank you.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Willem, you work for StartupDelta...
...and you help entrepreneurs to start their businesses here.
How many start-ups do you help each year?
WILLEM DROST: I see at least a 100 start-ups every year...
...coming from other countries...
...and looking to establish their business in the Netherlands...
...and as a facilitator, as a mentor, I help them find their way in the Netherlands...
...to start and grow the business.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Perfect.
I am very curious. You work for the IND.
How many permits does the IND provide every year?
GÜLTEN ÇANKAYA: I don't have the exact numbers...
...but I can tell you that the Netherlands is number four...
...on the ranking list of the most competitive countries.
We grant thousands of applications based on labour purposes.
So that is really quite a lot.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: That is a whole lot.
And it is also quite complex of course.
I would like to use an example to make things a bit clearer.
Let's say we have Mr. Singh and he is from India...
...and he is a software developer.
He comes from outside the EU and he wants to start a company here.
How does that look for him? Which route should he take?
GÜLTEN ÇANKAYA: First of all I assume...
...that he is going to orientate on the Dutch market.
So, he can go to the Dutch embassy or the consulate...
...to get more information about labour and business opportunities.
He can also submit an application for a business visa or a visa short stay.
So he can travel to the Netherlands with his visa.
If he is in the Netherlands and wants to start a business...
...he can submit an application for a residence permit.
The most important part of the residence permit procedure...
...and this is the general procedure of the self-employed person procedure...
...is that it has an innovative character and has value for the Dutch economy.
So, we will request the Netherlands enterprise agency...
...if the business has added value for the Dutch economy...
...as well as an innovative character.
The Netherlands Enterprise Agency will look at three categories.
They will look at the personal experiences of Mr. Singh.
This could be education or work experience.
If Mr. Singh has a master's degree he will get more points...
...than when he has a bachelor's degree.
The second part is the business plan with a very good financial plan.
The Netherlands Enterprise Agency will look at continuity and the solvency...
...of the product or services.
The third part is the added value for the Dutch economy.
That means that his service or the business will create employment in the future...
...as well as the innovative character of the service and activities...
...and also the investments in the future.
So if the Netherlands Enterprise Agency will give a positive advice...
...we will proceed the application of his residence permit.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: How does the start-up scheme exactly work?
GÜLTEN ÇANKAYA: With the start-up scheme...
...it is important that there is an innovative idea...
...and with the guidance of a facilitator.
That is the important part of the procedure.
The facilitator has to guide Mr. Singh...
...to make this innovative idea into a blooming business/company.
Willem knows a lot about the facilitating part.
Also the facilitator helps Mr. Singh by making a step-by-step plan...
...and work out this innovative idea.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Are we just talking about innovative ideas?
GÜLTEN ÇANKAYA: Yes, most of it is.
Willem can also talk about the facilitating and investment part of course.
WILLEM DROST: Sure.
So, once you are done with the whole permitting process in The Hague...
...they will be handed over to a player like StartupDelta...
...because now Mr. Singh is going to say: how do you get access to markets?
How do you get access to investors?
How do you get access to all the networks that are relevant for my business?
And how do you get access to talents?
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: After the visa?
WILLEM DROST: They are already dealing with the start-up visa.
They already heard the story in The Hague.
Now he comes to us and asks how are we going to do business.
How are we going to find access to markets, to talent, to networks.
If I go to another country how to do that.
So, we are connecting, we are facilitating that...
...and telling them where to go to start up their business in reality.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: So you are a big help for them actually?
But I want to go back a bit to the start-up visa.
Let's see how you go about getting one of those...
...for example in Amsterdam.
VOICE-OVER: Are you a start-up from outside of Europe?
Do you want to settle down in Amsterdam?
Start doing business in the start-up capital of Western Europe.
We present you the start-up visa.
The greatest way to get your boots on the ground...
...in the most exciting start up environment worldwide.
The Netherlands has always been and still is a country of entrepreneurs...
...who formed the foundation for innovation and job creation.
There are multiple criteria to fulfill to qualify for the start-up visa.
The first requirement for obtaining a start-up visa...
...is working together with a facilitator.
A facilitator is a business mentor who will support your needs...
...in operational management, marketing, research and investment acquisition.
But how does a facilitator select you?
Show your MVP your prototype and prove you are innovative.
Send a business plan to the facilitator including your role in the start-up...
...the idea behind a product or service, how it is innovative...
...how to transform the idea into a business.
Show that the idea is already in progress to improve your chances.
If you get selected by the facilitator you can start your adventure in Amsterdam.
You should register at the Dutch Chamber of Commerce.
Your facilitator will help you to get the paperwork done.
The final requirement includes sufficient financial resources...
...to prove you can pay the expenses of living in the Netherlands for one year.
The minimum amount needed is € 13,000.
Finally, as a start-up entrepreneur or an authorised representative...
...you should apply for a residence permit to the IND.
The application for a start-up visa must be submitted to the Dutch embassy...
...or consulate in the country of residence.
We advise getting professional juridical help...
...to make sure the paperwork is correct.
The estimation of processing the start-up visa application is 7 weeks.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Gülten, where do I apply for a start-up visa?
GÜLTEN ÇANKAYA: In the case of Mr. Singh...
...I will recommend him to just go first to the Dutch embassy...
...to collect a visa if he doesn't have a business visa for example...
...or a visa short stay to really orientate himself on the Dutch market...
...to know what is going on in the Netherlands, which is really important.
He will have a visa or he can collect it soon...
...if he tells them that it is for the business activities or opportunities.
So that is no problem.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: He needs Willem as well.
GÜLTEN ÇANKAYA: He needs Willem...
...but first of all he has to enter the Netherlands and that is the visa part.
After he enters the Netherlands he can try to find a facilitator.
He can check the website of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency.
There are reliable, very good facilitators on their website.
Probably you can also explain this.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: They can find you.
WILLEM DROST: Yes, there are multiple options for that.
Once they come to StartupDelta we go and find out...
...where do you want to establish your business...
...depending on the part of the country you are going to operate.
If you are in The Hague, we recommend one organisation as facilitator.
If you go to Amsterdam there is another organisation to operate as a facilitator.
As a facilitator we are going to look at: do they qualify.
Are they somebody who really qualifies for the start-up visa.
For instance, is this a scalable operation?
If he is coming to the Netherlands, has this organisation the potential...
...to become a major engine for economic growth...
...a major engine for creating high-quality jobs.
Those are the things you are looking at as a facilitator.
Once you tick all the boxes you hand them over to The Hague...
...and there they go on with the process of the permitting.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Who else can help you with immigration matters?
WILLEM DROST: Immigration matters are basically only IND.
That is the only place to go for true immigration issues.
And that is not what a facilitator does.
A facilitator looks more at the business aspect of...
...is this innovative, is this scalable...
...is this a company that will really start contributing to the Dutch economy.
Then you hand them back over to the IND once you tick all the boxes.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: If you want to start your business here...
...which Dutch organisations do you need to approach?
WILLEM DROST: There are multiple organisations.
In most tech regions in the Netherlands you have big organisations...
...like Brainport in Eindhoven or InnovationQuarter in The Hague.
These organisations are very well connected...
...not only with the government, but also with the corporates...
...with all other networks that you need.
That is also why they are providing those facilitator services...
...because they are all operating as a spider in the web...
...for these companies that want to orientate themselves...
...about the opportunities in the Netherlands.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: You need to start at the embassy I think?
There is a sort of process where you have to go?
WILLEM DROST: Correct.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: After that, how does it work step-by-step?
WILLEM DROST: That is your end of the business.
GÜLTEN ÇANKAYA: If we have the application...
...for the start-up regulation and the residence permit of course...
...he has to go to the IND front office to collect his residence permit.
But before the residence permit he has to go to the front office...
...for biometric processing and the pictures for preparing the residence card.
And he has to go to the municipality...
...to register himself in the municipality where he is going to live.
After he has his residence card he has to undergo a TB test.
Having the Indian nationality, he has to go to the Municipal Health Service.
The form is on our website. So he can download the form.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: And you of course need to go to the Chamber of Commerce.
GÜLTEN ÇANKAYA: Registering his business in the Chamber of Commerce...
...is really a must.
Probably the facilitator will help and guide him in doing that.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: You need to go to a bank I presume?
WILLEM DROST: Sure.
You first start with the Chamber of Commerce.
Before you do that you need to figure out the legal form.
Are we going to be a BV? Is this a single operator?
So you need to make those choices ahead of time...
...before you go to the Chamber of Commerce.
You need to make all these choices ahead of time.
It is an online process. It can be very quick.
Once you make the selection you go to the Chamber of Commerce...
...and then you get your registration.
With that you can go to a bank and you open up a business account.
So that is the sequence of operations at that end.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Let's say that Mr. Singh has a family in India as well.
Will they also all receive a residence permit when they come here?
GÜLTEN ÇANKAYA: Mr. Singh is a sponsor for his family...
...for his spouse or partner or even the children.
So, he has to submit an application for his family members.
It depends on the situation.
If he is married, we need a marriage certificate, legalized and translated.
If he has children, we need birth certificates.
Mr. Singh also needs a birth certificate for the registration in the municipality.
If he has a partner and is unmarried...
...we need declarations of being unmarried not older than six months.
If he has a registered partnership we will need the declaration...
...that he has a registered partnership.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: You need a lot then.
GÜLTEN ÇANKAYA: It really depends on the situation.
If he is married, we need a marriage certificate.
If he is unmarried, having a partner...
...we will need a declaration of being unmarried.
All the documents really have to be translated and legalized.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: So you can read it in Holland as well.
But how is it when you come from the EU and not from India?
GÜLTEN ÇANKAYA: For EU members it is really different.
Because if they have a passport or ID-card as EU-citizen...
...they can travel to the Netherlands and they don't have to register themselves.
They have to register themselves...
...if they want to live for more than 4 months in the Netherlands.
Because they need the citizen service number.
That means if they register themselves...
...in the municipality where they are going to live...
...they will automatically get this citizen service number.
That is very important if you want to work in the Netherlands as an EU citizen.
WILLEM DROST: Yes.
Because as soon as you have what they call here the BSN-number...
...you can also get your health insurance which is mandatory deal in the Netherlands.
You have different options.
As soon as you have your BSN-number...
...you can also enroll for your medical insurance for yourself and your family...
...which is a mandatory deal.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: And of course for start-up funds as well?
WILLEM DROST: That is the whole other part we deal with...
...with the funding, the markets and the talents.
There is a whole trajectory for the business side of it.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: How do they do that?
WILLEM DROST: As I said, that is the role of a facilitator.
The facilitator is going to tell them to identify if they come to the Netherlands...
...what is the business you are aiming for...
...what is your target market...
...because we can connect you with the right parties in this country.
We can target you with the places where you can find tech talent.
We can connect you with government agencies or private funding...
...to get your business off the ground.
That is the role of the facilitator.
The government does mainly all the permitting and the fiscal side.
The facilitators connect all the players who are involved...
...with getting you access to markets, talent, funding and networks.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: How do you get in contact with those investors?
WILLEM DROST: The role of the facilitator is...
...to be a spider in the web between all these organisations.
There are literally hundreds of sources for funding in the Netherlands.
That is just in the private sphere.
Then you have got the government with a whole bunch of wonderful tools...
...to help start-up companies with early stage funding...
...with innovation credit, with all kinds of tax credits.
These are wonderful tools and the facilitator connects all these parties.
That is what I do as a mentor too.
I tell people I think that your company is at a stage...
...that you need to look at early stage funding...
...or you need to go to innovation credit...
...or make sure to apply for a WBSO tax credit for tech workers.
So that is the role of the facilitator.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: There is a point...
...where you can do a quick scan as well in the government, right?
WILLEM DROST: Yes, that is correct.
GÜLTEN ÇANKAYA: Yes, the RVO is doing a scan.
They have an advising part in the procedure. That is true.
WILLEM DROST: That is a very quick way.
It looks like there is a lot of work going on there...
...but interestingly enough most of the documents, not all of them, are in English.
When you have for instance a company coming to you...
...and you are a facilitator for them...
...and you are going to help them with saying...
...I think at this stage your company should get access...
...to that and that kind of funding from the government...
...you can do indeed your quick scan at RVO, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency.
Within a week they will tell you we agree with Mr. Drost...
...that you qualify for early stage funding or you should do something else.
It is a wonderful tool.
Within a week they will call you in person to let you know what the options are.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: What if Mr. Singh already works in the Netherlands...
...and he wants to do some freelance gigs as well?
GÜLTEN ÇANKAYA: That is possible.
He has a notification on his residence card...
...that he can work as a highly-skilled migrant and as a self-employed person.
Other labour is not allowed just with a work permit.
But the most important part is that he always has to fulfill the conditions...
...of the highly-skilled migrant scheme.
If he is doing that there is no problem.
He can work as a freelancer next to his other activities.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: That is perfect.
Thank you so much, both of you, for all this helpful information.
Coming to the Netherlands isn't complicated if you know the way.
If you are a highly skilled migrant your employer can help you.
If you are a self-employed professional you can acquire points in the system.
And if you want to launch a start-up you can team up with a facilitator.
[SCENE TRANSITION TUNE]
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: If you want to set up a business in the Netherlands as a foreigner...
...there are several steps you will have to take.
Also you need to know about the Dutch market...
...rules for employers and legal forms.
With me are Johan Laffra from the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce...
...and Israeli entrepreneur Avishai Trabelsi...
...founder and CEO of Quicargo, a business he started in the Netherlands.
Welcome to you both, gentlemen.
AVISHAI TRABELSI: Thank you.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Good to have you here.
When you came to the Netherlands you started Quicargo.
What kind of business is Quicargo?
AVISHAI TRABELSI: I moved here in April 2016.
Quicargo is a market place. It is an online platform.
It matches empty trucks that are running around the roads...
...to any business that needs transportation.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Was there a gap in the market...
...for filling empty trucks?
AVISHAI TRABELSI: For now, about 50% of the trucks you see on the roads...
...are completely empty or partly empty.
So we have a lot of potential to utilise and improve it commercially...
...but also it is going to improve a lot of the congestion we are having...
...and of course the CO2 and the greenhouse gas.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: How did you come up with this idea?
AVISHAI TRABELSI: I was managing my family trucking company...
...back in Israel and I had the same problem.
We had a lot of empty trucks and the margin was very low.
So we needed to fill the trucks to get a better margin on the operation.
Once I realised it is a big problem, not only in Israel...
...I decided to quit and start the global Quicargo.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Wow, very interesting.
AVISHAI TRABELSI: Thank you.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: If you want to start your business here...
...what do you need to know and what do you need to take care of?
JOHAN LAFFRA: I would always start with myself.
Do I have everything I need to be a successful entrepreneur.
Do I have the right skills, the right drive, the motivation to make it a success.
Am I willing to go all the way for it.
I think that is always going to be the first thing.
The second thing is to decide if there is a market.
So you need to take a closer look at what is the competition like...
...who are going to be your clients, how many of those are there...
...and will this eventually end up in a successful business.
I think that is going to be step two.
There might be something to take a look at if you need some sort of financing.
Is there money needed to set up?
But if that is all taken care of the only thing that remains...
...is registering at the Chamber of Commerce.
And from that point on you are ready and set to go.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: And if you have done that...
...what do you need to do next?
JOHAN LAFFRA: When you did all that and you actually have a business...
...it is time to go out there, start doing the work and start making money.
Yes, I think that is it.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: And do you need anything else...
...like from the government, like citizen service numbers?
JOHAN LAFFRA: That is a part indeed.
That is also something you need to take a look at.
Of course you need to have a tax number.
You need to have a VAT-number.
In order to do so you need a personal identification number, a BSN-number.
So, there are a few things on the side that need to be taken care of as well.
Those are the two important ones.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: How did you prepare to enter the Dutch market place?
AVISHAI TRABELSI: It started with not stopping dreaming about Quicargo...
...in the last three or two and a half years.
Then, once I took the decision, I sold my house, my car and started to invest.
The first point you mentioned is to realise that you need to invest a lot in it.
That is related to your point.
The second thing is that market research is the most important thing.
Before we decided to move to the Netherlands I travelled three months around Europe...
...after analysing and research on potential markets to start with.
I invested a lot of time in talking to hundreds of companies, experts...
...and logistics professors in Germany, UK, Poland and here.
Eventually I just asked the people in the companies.
I offered my proposition and here was the fastest reaction to start.
Just let's try it and see if it is working.
This is how we started.
It was a lot of man hours and a lot of phone calls...
...but eventually from the first client it started to be where we are now.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Perfect. And who are your customers?
AVISHAI TRABELSI: We are targeting mainly micro small businesses.
They actually don't have their own logistic department internally...
...or they don't have a third party that is handling all the logistic flow.
We can actually help them to be much more flexible...
...and also commercially in terms of prices.
They are saving transport costs but they also have the green impact.
As a small company it is not your first priority to be green.
But with our system you can actually do it right away without investment.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Perfect. You started the business with employees...
...but you can also start your business as a self-employed person.
JOHAN LAFFRA: That is true.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: You have different legal forms.
What are those forms? What are the options?
JOHAN LAFFRA: Mostly we see a lot of people registering...
...either a sole proprietorship or a general partnership.
Both of those look at you as an individual, as a person.
It is also possible to go for a legal form, a legal entity in the Netherlands...
...being a private limited company, also called a BV.
Those are the two that we end up with the most.
Some people use words like freelancing and zzp...
...which is also a term very widely used in the Netherlands.
Those are not specific legal forms.
When you start as a zzp or a freelance...
...you either end up with a sole proprietorship or with a BV...
...with you as being the director shareholder.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: How do you choose the legal form that suits you best?
JOHAN LAFFRA: That depends on the work you did upfront.
There are a few differences. One has to do with taxes.
Being a start-up business with a low profit expectation...
...might benefit more from a sole proprietorship.
On the other hand there are issues with liability.
If you have an activity in which you are highly liable, high risk...
...it could be better to choose for the BV instead...
...that has a limited liability.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Which legal form did you choose and why?
AVISHAI TRABELSI: We are a BV...
...and mostly because of our funding terms externally from investors.
Once they are investing you must have a legal entity, a BV.
JOHAN LAFFRA: Did your investors get shares in your business?
AVISHAI TRABELSI: Yes, they have equity in the business.
So we are partners.
When you are a partner I think it is very important to share equity easily.
I don't even know if you can do a partnership without sharing equity.
JOHAN LAFFRA: That is also something to look at.
With multiple shareholders you need to go with a BV company.
The other one isn't option.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: When and how do you register your company...
...at the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce?
JOHAN LAFFRA: That depends on the scenario.
If you want to set up a private limited company...
...you go to a notary and they will take care of it, also with us.
So in that case we don't see you at all.
If you go for a sole proprietorship or a general partnership...
...you come to our office.
You set up an appointment and fill out the paperwork...
...and stop by, either alone or with all partners if there is more than one.
AVISHAI TRABELSI: They have good coffee.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Yes? You recommend it.
[LAUGHING]
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: What is the right moment to register?
Is there a right moment?
JOHAN LAFFRA: I would say when you start doing the business.
If you have clients, if you have turnover coming in...
...that would be a point of registration.
It does not work like that all the time.
At some point you might be a little sooner than the actual starting point.
In my experience don't be too soon.
Taxes will start and you get a lot of paperwork...
...which is useless if you did not start already.
But if you need it for whatever reason or if there are clients nearby...
...then you should have yourself registered.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Of course your business needs a trade name.
How do you come up with a good one?
JOHAN LAFFRA: I wish I knew.
You really need to find something.
For some it comes naturally and for another it is really work to get a name...
...that suits what it is that you are going to do.
Just keep in mind that you need to be unique.
It cannot already be in use by someone else.
It cannot be misleading in any way.
So it needs to be unique.
You really need to find one yourself.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Which is not confusing as well.
JOHAN LAFFRA: Which is not confusing as well...
...which becomes more and more difficult...
...because we have a lot of businesses in the Netherlands.
It is in the millions now.
So try to find something that isn't already out there.
That is going to be a difficult process, but still you need to find one.
If it is not going to work for just you, ask your family and friends...
...the people around you who know who you are and what you are about to do.
That might end up with some good ideas for a lot of people.
It also needs to be considered if you want to have a website for your business.
That also needs to be a name that is still available as a domain name.
Also you should check if your trade name...
...is already registered somewhere as a brand name.
If that is the case you cannot use it as well.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Of course. How did you come up with your name?
AVISHAI TRABELSI: I used my network, my friends, family...
...and the most creative people I knew to think about three aspects.
The first thing is that it needs to be easy to pronounce.
You don't want a very difficult one.
The second thing is that it needs be international if it is your intention.
It is very important because I see a lot of companies with very domestic names.
Then it is very difficult to pronounce.
They absolutely need to change the name when they go global.
And we are all going global of course.
The third thing is that you need to explain the values...
...that you are trying to propose to your audience.
This is how we came to the name Quicargo.
It is quick and easy, very easy to book a shipment.
This is how we did it.
I have one comment here.
The company, the legal entity, can be a different name than the brand name.
It is important to give you more flexibility.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: I am wondering...
...do you need any qualifications, permits or certificates...
...to start a business in the Netherlands?
JOHAN LAFFRA: You don't actually need it for the starting itself.
Starting itself is for us to have you come by...
...and register the business.
We are not going to ask you for any paperwork at that point.
But there are some specific areas in which you still need permits.
Transport for one is well-known.
Also if you want to start a food and beverage establishment...
...there are also rules and regulations.
But it is not something we ask you when you come for registration itself.
But in certain areas and professions there are some things you need to have...
...in order to be able to do the activity itself.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: You have employees.
Do you have Dutch employees or foreign employees or both maybe?
AVISHAI TRABELSI: Yes, we are an international team.
80% are Dutch and the rest are from Israel, the United States and Brazil.
We relocate people from all over the world...
...in order to realise Quicargo.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: It is very international.
AVISHAI TRABELSI: Yes. It is an important vibe to keep.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Nice.
Can you actually run a business from your home address?
JOHAN LAFFRA: That depends on the activity.
Some you can and some you can't.
If it is just you at home at your laptop doing some consulting...
...that is fine to do from home.
If you were to sell, a very bad example, fireworks...
...storage at home might not be the smart thing to do.
So in my experience it depends on the activity that you have.
In some cases it is allowed and in other cases it is prohibited.
If you want to know for sure you can check with the municipality...
...to find out if there are any specific limitations.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: How do you minimise risks?
JOHAN LAFFRA: Be careful with what you do.
I think that is the first step.
Changing the legal form might help going from sole proprietorship to a BV.
That could limit your risks hugely.
But also think of insurances, and terms and conditions.
Set up good agreements between you and the entity you work with.
That limits your risks perfectly I think.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: And maybe pension as well?
JOHAN LAFFRA: If you want to have some sort of pension when you get old...
...then you should set up something for that as well.
The same goes for insurances for sickness and health.
If you want to have something if you become work invalid...
...it might be wise to have something set up for that.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: How did you set up your network here in the Netherlands?
AVISHAI TRABELSI: Network... I started to call.
[LAUGHS]
AVISHAI TRABELSI: I just speak to the phone with my special accent...
...and I try to introduce myself and the business and where I am coming from...
...why it is important for me to realise it and why I chose the Netherlands.
After maybe not hundreds but tens of calls I got the first client...
...and from that moment we got more and more...
...and now we have nearly a thousand businesses registered.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Wow, that is a lot.
And did you visit any events?
AVISHAI TRABELSI: Yes, we created our brand.
We put the names in the events.
We also try to find the most influential people in our industry.
We approached them a couple of times until they agreed to hear us.
And I think what we are trying to do is also important for the environment...
...but also commercially, so it is win win win.
A lot of people, including the government are supporting such a project.
It was easy for us to promote the positive impact...
...and not something that is purely business and commercial.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Do you have any tips for other entrepreneurs...
...who want to start their business here?
AVISHAI TRABELSI: Many, many.
[ALL LAUGHING AND INDISTINCT CHATTER]
AVISHAI TRABELSI: Even if you have a lean budget...
...it is important not to save on all these administration things...
...and to know exactly the rules in order not to miss anything.
So, take a good lawyer and good accountant...
...to make sure that you have the right insurance...
...because we are getting a lot of information for instance involving privacy.
You need to make sure you can provide those services.
So don't try to do everything by yourself.
Focus on your business and have maybe a local company...
...help you with an expert to make it easier, faster and safer.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Very good.
Do you have any additional tips?
JOHAN LAFFRA: I think he mentioned the most important ones.
And get help whenever you need it.
So come to us, come to the tax office, hire an accountant...
...and try to get people close by who can help you in certain areas of expertise.
That really helps a lot.
Get out there and talk to people.
And tell them that you exist, tell them what you do.
And go from there. So, go out.
AVISHAI TRABELSI: I want to add one more thing.
It is my experience from other countries. It is another tip.
Here in my experience, the authorities in the Chamber of Commerce...
...but even RVO and different parties were very accessible.
So, it wasn't difficult to approach them and ask questions.
From my perspective in the past, governmental parties were very difficult.
They were not really accessible.
So ask your questions and put it on the table.
Sometimes you will be surprised that you will get quite efficient answers.
This is important to try.
Because you first think the government is too difficult to approach.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: But it is not?
AVISHAI TRABELSI: Apparently not.
At least not in my experience.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: That is good to know.
Gentlemen, thank you so much for all the information.
AVISHAI TRABELSI: Thank you very much.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Starting a business...
...requires a number of steps and key decisions.
Once you have decided upon your business legal form...
...you can have your enterprise registered at the local Chamber of Commerce.
Whether you offer services or products, you will do so at your own risk, expense...
...and with full responsibility towards third parties.
Preparing well is the best way to start.
The Dutch Chamber of Commerce provides information on starting a business.
You are definitely not on your own.
Plenty of competent assistance is to be found in the Netherlands business world.
[SCENE TRANSITION TUNE]
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Everyone living, working...
...or running a business in the Netherlands has to pay taxes.
What types of taxes do businesses in the Netherlands have to deal with?
And can entrepreneurs benefit from tax deductions or allowances.
I will be discussing this with Ian van Haaren...
...from the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration...
...and with Israeli entrepreneur Avishai Trabelsi...
...founder and CEO of Quicargo who set up his company in the Netherlands.
Welcome to you both. Good to have you here.
Ian, I would like to start with you.
What kind of taxes do you have to keep in mind...
...when you want to start up your company here in the Netherlands?
IAN VAN HAAREN: When you move to the Netherlands...
...you will be dealing with VAT, income tax, corporate income tax, wage taxes.
That all depends on a classification of your income...
...and what it is you exactly do.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: How did you prepare yourself for taxes, Avishai?
AVISHAI TRABELSI: The first thing when I moved here...
...I hired an accountant in order to avoid any things that I don't know.
For me it is a foreign country and I needed to forget everything else.
It is always easier to do it with an accountant.
So it was quite easy.
The process itself was not so difficult for us at the first stage.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Because you had your accountant?
You could afford one but not everyone is that lucky.
So, how does it actually work with wage taxes, Ian?
IAN VAN HAAREN: If you have employees in your business...
...then you will have to keep a wage tax administration...
...and you have to withhold wage taxes.
Two things I want to mention about that.
Of course when you own more than 5% of the shares in your company...
...then you also will have to withhold wage taxes...
...if you are working for your own company.
That is the rather important customary wage tax rule.
The other thing I want to mention is, there is the 30% ruling.
If you have any employees with special skills...
...that come from outside of the Netherlands...
...they can deduct up to 30% of their income to make up for the costs of relocation.
That is generally considered a rather favourable scheme.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: What do you think of that 30% scheme?
AVISHAI TRABELSI: That is one of the most important for us to come.
It is also for my employees.
Now I have 5 people from Israel, Brazil, America, from different areas.
We all got the 30%, including me.
It is really helping us especially because we are a lean start-up.
So, the salaries are not very high.
So we get more net at the end of the month.
It is super important for us. So, good job there.
[LAUGHING]
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: How does it work if you are a sole proprietor.
IAN VAN HAAREN: The one-man business is taxed in income tax...
...as opposed to when you have a company when you deal with corporate income tax.
Generally, depending on your size, usually when you get bigger...
...then you will probably move more to the corporate income tax side.
The one-man business will always be taxed in income tax.
And you will be taxed on your business profits.
That is your income earnings minus any expenses incurred for...
...equipment, travel expenses and the like.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: How does it work in the first year?
IAN VAN HAAREN: That is a good question.
In the first year you cannot file your income tax return digitally.
Usually you file it via the internet.
You get a login code and you can fill in your return.
But in the first year that does not work yet.
We need to know some extra things from you.
Then you get this paper form, called the M-form.
You can order it via the phone and you need to fill it out.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: It is old-school paper.
IAN VAN HAAREN: It is old-school paper. Exactly.
Another thing that is important in the first year...
...is that you get to choose whether you want to be considered...
...a resident taxpayer for the entire year or not.
That can be advantageous for mortgage interest deduction and other deductions.
So you can take advantage of them for the entire year.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: How was your experience with that?
AVISHAI TRABELSI: Again thanks.
I remember those files but, again, it is not so bad.
It is manually, but it is still reasonably fine.
They need to know us of course and all the history and when we came.
For instance, in Israel we are working together with Germany on tax matters.
So now I need to claim that I moved here.
We are still in the process, but it is okay.
It is not new for the authorities.
It is okay, so no problem.
IAN VAN HAAREN: Nice to hear.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: You told us quite a lot already.
Could you summarise how do you calculate the amount of taxes due?
IAN VAN HAAREN: That is a good question.
The income tax is calculated on the business profits earned.
That is just the total turnover minus any costs incurred...
...for equipment, expenses, travel.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: The Netherlands allows entrepreneurs...
...a number of tax deductions such as the entrepreneurs deduction.
How does that work?
IAN VAN HAAREN: If you meet the criteria...
...to be considered a real entrepreneur, you get some rather favourable deductions...
...which can considerably lower the amount of the taxes due at the end.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: How does that work in practice?
IAN VAN HAAREN: The most important criterium is that you are independent...
...and that you run some real entrepreneurial risks...
...that you run the risk that your customer stream will dry up...
...and that you have the risk of non-paying customers.
If you run those risks then you are considered a real entrepreneur.
Then you can apply for these deductions.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: When I qualify as an entrepreneur...
...which benefits can I expect?
IAN VAN HAAREN: If you meet the criteria we discussed...
...firstly there is a 14% profit exemption for small and medium-sized enterprises.
It is called an exemption but you can just deduct 14% of your profits.
Then there is the investment allowance...
...that allows you to deduct up to 28% of your profits for investments you made.
There is also a special investment allowance for environmentally friendly assets...
...such as electric cars.
If you work for at least 1225 hours a year in your business...
...so at least 25 hours a week...
...in that case two extra deductions can be made.
The first is that you can have the self-employment deduction.
That is another big one. It is about € 7200 a year.
And if you just started your company you can deduct up to € 2100.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: That is very good.
Those are very great amounts to be able to deduct.
And when do you actually qualify as an entrepreneur...
...for the value added tax purposes?
IAN VAN HAAREN: Interestingly it is possible...
...that you will not be considered an entrepreneur for income tax purposes...
...but that you will be considered an entrepreneur for VAT purposes.
So, the threshold is much lower for VAT purposes.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: And what is that threshold?
IAN VAN HAAREN: Anywhere you provide...
...any goods or services at a consideration...
...you are considered a VAT entrepreneur and that is rather quickly.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: How does that work in the Netherlands?
IAN VAN HAAREN: The VAT-system is the same...
...as the one which is in place in all other EU-member states.
Basically, if you are an entrepreneur...
...and you provide goods and services at a consideration...
...you should invoice VAT to your customers.
Of course any input VAT...
...so VAT that you pay to other entrepreneurs...
...is deductible as long as it is attributable to taxable output.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: What is the rate in the Netherlands?
IAN VAN HAAREN: We have three rates.
21% is the base rate.
There is a 6% rate for food products, sports services, medicine and books.
There is zero rate for any exports.
So if you export goods you don't have to charge any VAT on the goods...
...but you get to deduct all of the input VAT.
So that is sort of the best of both worlds.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Perfect. Are there exemptions?
IAN VAN HAAREN: Yes, a number of exemptions apply...
...mostly for services, educational, medical and cultural.
When the service that you provide as an entrepreneur is exempt...
...any input VAT attributable to those goods and services...
...is not deductible.
You can find more information about our tariffs...
...on the website business.gov.nl.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: That is good to know.
And more practical: when and how should you file your VAT-return?
IAN VAN HAAREN: VAT-returns are usually filed every quarter.
There are some exceptions applied but usually it is every quarter.
You file them also digitally via the website of the tax authorities.
This is quite a simple form that you have to fill out.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: What if you forget or you don't file it or a bit too late?
What happens then?
IAN VAN HAAREN: That is a good question.
The VAT-system is totally automated.
The assessments are handled digitally and are automated.
So if you miss a term or don't file anything...
...the system automatically files any additional assessments but also fines.
So that can be a bit of a problem.
So it is really important that you always file your VAT-return on time...
...and also pay it within the time that is set for it.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: What does that mean for your administration?
What do you need to do?
IAN VAN HAAREN: It is important...
...that any business should have a good financial administration.
Of course you should know if you have any profits or losses.
The same information is also used for the revenue service...
...to base your VAT-return on and also your income tax returns.
AVISHAI TRABELSI: I can give an example.
For instance in Israel I also paid it when I had my own business.
Here it is easier because we are using a software...
...to deduct all the VAT-returns.
We do it month-to-month because for us it is also important...
...to get the cash flow in the same way we are working.
We started quarterly but now that we are growing we made it month-to-month.
It is easier for us to get the VAT-return.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: What are the minimal requirements...
...for a financial administration?
IAN VAN HAAREN: There are no really hard rules...
...for what an administration should contain.
It should be tailored to the business.
Most important is that it is quickly accessible for the tax authorities...
...that it is verifiably correct and that it is kept for a long enough time.
So you have to keep all the documents that are generated within the business...
...digitally or on paper for at least 7 years.
Any documents that pertain to real estate should be kept for at least 10 years.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: My last question is...
...are you obliged to give a receipt to your customers with every transaction?
IAN VAN HAAREN: No. In some EU-countries that is the case...
...but in the Netherlands you don't have to send an invoice every time.
Only to other entrepreneurs you are obliged to have an invoice.
But if your clients are private persons there is no need to invoice.
Of course if you send out an invoice to private persons you have to keep it in your administration.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: So that you know what you have done of course.
IAN VAN HAAREN: Yes.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Thank you very much for this talk.
It is I think very interesting and very helpful for everyone who is watching.
So as an entrepreneur you can benefit from different tax deductions or allowances.
Keep track of your records and your hours right from the start.
That is the only way to benefit from tax schemes.
Seeking professional advice from an accountant is usually a good idea.
[SCENE TRANSITION TUNE]
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: If you want to do business in Europe...
...the Netherlands is a good starting point.
It is located in the heart of mainland Europe and has an excellent infrastructure.
Also the business climate in the Netherlands...
...is reliable, strong and internationally focused.
Everyone speaks English.
All in all it is a first-class country to start your business.
Let's hear what foreign entrepreneurs have to say about the Netherlands...
...and Dutch people.
CHRISTINE BRINKMAN: Setting up a business in the Netherlands...
...or putting in place a company in the Netherlands is quite easy.
So there are no massive capital requirements.
The corporate governance structure is quite flexible and simple.
So you can easily tailor the group structure to your needs.
VOICE-OVER: Entrepreneurially vibrant.
CRISTINE BRINKMAN: Energising.
HUGO NIEZEN: Get things done.
RUBEN NIEUWENHUIS: Open-minded.
MARTIJN ROORDINK: In your face.
DON GINSEL: Cosy.
Gezellig is actually the word.
MAARTEN PLESMAN: Talent.
MARIKEN VAN DEN BOOGAARD: It is about inclusivity.
DAVID VAN TRAA: Cool and progressive.
RUBEN NIEUWENHUIS: Global. A global city.
DON GINSEL: Well-connected.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Welcome gentlemen, good to have you here.
AVISHAI TRABELSI: Good to be here.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Why did you start your business Quicargo in the Netherlands?
AVISHAI TRABELSI: We are a logistic platform.
And I can call the Netherlands the heaven of logistics.
Because of the harbour, you have Schiphol and Rotterdam.
And Venlo is a logistic big hub.
So it is very good for our business.
Secondly, it is quite a small ecosystem and we can make small mistakes.
And we can learn quite fast from our performance...
...and from our new early adapter clients.
So it was a very smart decision from our side.
Now I can tell it after I am long enough here and this is the main reason.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Is it a good starting point because you can test drive, in a way?
AVISHAI TRABELSI: Yes, exactly.
Business-wise our logistics sector is very strong...
...and at a centralised point in Europe.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: And then you can expand.
AVISHAI TRABELSI: From a business perspective...
...it is easy to get feedback from the market right away.
The most important thing when you start a business...
...is to make sure that you are selling something that people actually need.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: And after that you want to expand to the rest of Europe, right?
AVISHAI TRABELSI: Correct, yes.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Willem, you work for StartupDelta.
How does StartupDelta help startups?
WILLEM DROST: When they come into the country here...
...for instance like Avishai who I have worked with as a mentor...
...they come to the country and go and establish themselves...
...trying to find out how to take maximum advantage of Holland...
...as the best place to start and grow and internationalise their business.
So, we are not only looking at how you are going to establish yourself nationally...
...looking for funding, looking for network partners...
...and putting him into contact with the right customers...
...but we also look at going across the border.
So Avishai's company Quicargo is coming with us next month...
...to the Hannover Messe in Germany to start developing the German market.
So we are not looking at Holland as the only country.
We are also looking at it as the best platform in Europe...
...to develop your business on a European scale.
So that is another major purpose of StartupDelta.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Can you tell us something about the Dutch infrastructure?
WILLEM DROST: Dutch infrastructure...
...is not just the logistical part that Avishai is talking about...
...the roads, the harbours and that kind of stuff.
That is very important for his business.
But if you are a pure tech startup a very important part is also...
...the whole technological infrastructure.
Amsterdam is the largest internet network point here in Western Europe.
That's why you have billions of dollars of data centres being built...
...by big companies like Microsoft and Google in the Netherlands.
So that very good technological IT infrastructure...
...is very important as a tool...
...to attract foreign companies in the technological field.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Do you agree?
AVISHAI TRABELSI: Yes. I absolutely agree.
But there is one thing that you did not discuss.
If you are an IT company...
...you need to hire high-skilled developers.
And it is easy to convince a Brazilian developer to come over to Amsterdam.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Really?
AVISHAI TRABELSI: Yes, it is super nice for them.
So, it is a well-branded country and city to come to.
And it is super important in the IT-business...
...because there is a big lack of developers anywhere.
That is a very important point.
WILLEM DROST: It is true. I see that every day.
Companies from all over the world are coming to this country.
Young people really are attracted by the quality of life in Holland.
And Avishai is experiencing that not because we not only speak Dutch.
It is the whole mentality, the culture.
It is also the creativity you have here, the very international orientation.
Everybody feels themselves at home here very easily.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Is the international focus in the business climate as well?
WILLEM DROST: Sure, of course.
This is our tradition.
For hundreds of years there has been that outward focus.
First we had hundreds of large multinationals choosing Holland...
...as a starting point for operating in Europe.
Now you see a sort of a next wave.
In the days of technology you see all these young tech companies coming to countries...
...not only because of the infrastructure...
...but also because of the quality of living that they find here...
...and this international orientation.
Because tech business is a global business.
And Holland is a very good spot to tap into the global business.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: How would you describe the Dutch people?
[LAUGHING]
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Be honest.
AVISHAI TRABELSI: How honest? Just kidding.
From a business perspective I was very happy to see...
...they are really open-minded to innovation and sustainability.
This is one of the main focuses we are targeting.
And they are actually willing to try.
You don't need to come with a lot of track record.
And as a startup, you don't have anything.
So you just call: you are my first client, do you want to try?
Try that in other countries and it is so so.
But here apparently it worked.
That is very important if you are starting...
...especially if it is something that is new to the market.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: What is it like to do business with them?
AVISHAI TRABELSI: I think it is quite direct.
The negotiations are always good fun but Israel also came with that.
So I think it is a good match in negotiations and trading.
And it is very open international-wise as well.
English is very important because sometimes you can lose things in language.
You can cover it with good language and we have it here.
Once you have got an agreement which is not easy...
...but once you've got one it is actually happening.
It is not so obvious when you do it in other areas in the world.
There you can sign the contract but the execution is totally different.
Surprisingly really this is a very important part.
We can focus on our business...
...because actually the ecosystem and the businesses also respect the deal.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: So they are reliable and pay on time?
AVISHAI TRABELSI: Exactly. So all these things are happening.
That let us focus on the innovation or the growth instead of the administration...
...and all these annoying things you need to do as a small company.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: So business-wise it is nice to work with them.
But how are they on a private basis?
[ALL LAUGHING]
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: You can still be honest.
AVISHAI TRABELSI: I am purely honest.
One thing is that I am working hard.
I work a lot of hours per week and even in the weekends.
But once I have got my free time I don't like to plan.
I just like to do anything that I want to do now and just relax.
And I got some Dutch friends and I need to book one month in advance.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Yes that happens.
AVISHAI TRABELSI: To drink a coffee or a beer.
AVISHAI TRABELSI: That is one thing that I am still catching up with...
...trying to schedule my private agenda as well.
Apart from that it is very open.
I know Amsterdam.
For me is a very big international community.
So I have friends from all over the world.
It is quite easy.
I think it is not too difficult for the Dutch local community to integrate...
...because there is already many years this combination.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: But do you speak Dutch?
AVISHAI TRABELSI: No. I am trying.
I am trying and every Saturday I cancel unfortunately my course...
...but everyone speaks perfect English.
So on the negative side it is difficult for me to learn.
But on the positive side the communication is easy.
So, I am still working on it unfortunately.
WILLEM DROST: Yes, that is the practice.
That is the practice. I hear that all the time.
When they are here in Holland like for two years you say...
...when are you finally going to learn some Dutch.
They say I try to but as soon as I try they start speaking English to me.
I can never practice.
But anyway, further to what Avishai is saying...
...Holland is the perfect place to start, grow and internationalise your business.
Not only do they learn to operate in a very international environment...
...but also as we are going to experience in Germany...
...even the large German companies love to work with Dutch firms.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Do you speak German as well?
WILLEM DROST: Sure.
They love to work with Dutch startups because they are so creative.
The Germans think it through too long before something will materialise.
So the Dutch are much quicker on their feet and much more creative.
They learn that in Holland as well because that has been the tradition here.
Creativity, trying out things is a merchant mentality...
...rather than engineer it to the end and never get anything accomplished.
This whole environment of being creative and quick on your feet...
...and trying to find new innovative ways of doing stuff...
...is not only good for operating well in Holland...
...but you can also use that capacity to go to France and Germany...
...countries where they are more engineering organised...
...where they are very strict and very regimental...
...and work in a more open kind of thinking way of operating.
And that is really critical in the world of technology.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Do you speak French as well?
Do you speak German, English and French?
WILLEM DROST: I used to.
I can brush it up if necessary.
But it is very important.
It is one of the things that people learn here too.
Yes, it is all Europe, but there are still very distinctive business climates.
Germany has a very different business climate than France has.
You really need to adapt to it.
The Dutch are used to it because 70% of what we produce goes across the border.
So everybody is used to these different business climates.
That is also what you learn.
So if you have an American company here they really learn that it is not so easy.
What works in Holland does not necessarily work in Germany or France.
So people learn how to adapt to these different business climates.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Also, it is very handy that they are multilingual.
WILLEM DROST: Sure.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: How easy is it to start a business in the Netherlands...
...compared to other EU countries?
WILLEM DROST: It is actually way, way easier.
I would say the UK would be slightly easier.
But it is also a way of learning your way around here.
That's why that orange carpet is so important.
People in our network tell you how to do that...
...not only help you with the right legal form for a business...
...but also how to go about it.
So if you don't know, I will help you with it.
So when you put all the pieces together...
...and when you use the orange carpet route...
...you will find out that it is surprisingly easy...
...way quicker than starting a company in Germany or France.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: Avishai, did the Netherlands...
...really roll out the orange carpet for you?
AVISHAI TRABELSI: Absolutely.
First of course, it is a very important tip let's say.
Ask questions and try to understand the ecosystem...
...before you start the task one by one.
So try to understand what you can get from the parties that are involved in...
...let's call it to get a soft landing in the Netherlands.
And once you know who is doing what...
...and maybe it is easy to ask Startup Bootcamp...
...or any other facilitator available who are the parties.
Once you know it is quite easy to get the information...
...and to get the help in the process.
So yes, but there is one thing to improve.
I did not know about those parties involved until I asked questions.
So maybe you can do the marketing or at least make it more accessible...
...for really people that are just coming and start asking the questions.
Somehow you should get it right away.
Then it will save them a lot of time and effort.
NADIA-JANE BRISTOLL: That is a good idea.
Thank you both for all your information and for being here.
It is fair to conclude that the Netherlands has a lot to offer to entrepreneurs...
...who want to start, roll out and expand their business here.
The Netherlands offers you a high-quality work environment...
...and an excellent infrastructure...
...with an internationally oriented English-speaking population.
And as Avishai mentioned, the Netherlands roll out the orange carpet...
...for you as an entrepreneur.
Good luck with your business.
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