Luc Vorsteveld

Uit de IMF-Article IV-managementsamenvatting: "The Dutch economy is among the most developed countries globally and has drawn strength from integration in global value chains. In recent years, it has weathered shocks well, yet its resilience is being tested, again—this time by trade tensions and geoeconomic fragmentation. Fiscal buffers are ample, and the financial system is well-positioned to absorb shocks. At the same time, the economy is operating at capacity and inflation is elevated. And increasingly binding constraints—in the labor market, housing, emissions space, and the electricity grid—are limiting the ability to grow and adapt. Futureproofing the economy will therefore require policies that both tackle bottlenecks and expand supply capacity, and align with a long-term vision for sustainable growth. Reforms, complementary to EU initiatives, should aim to increase labor input and firm productivity, expand the availability of SME financing, and effectively manage the green and demographic transitions".

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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐝 #1 𝐢𝐧 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞. According to the latest Numbeo data for 2026, The Hague continues to have the highest quality of life of all cities worldwide (since 2022). With The Hague, Eindhoven, Utrecht and Rotterdam, 4 out of 5 top places are Dutch. As City by the Sea, The Hague scores higher than other Dutch cities with a better climate score. It will come as no surprise that the Netherlands is ranked this year as the country with the highest quality of life, before Denmark, Luxembourg, Oman and Switzerland. The Netherlands has a lower purchase power than some nearby European countries, but also lower cost of living. The Netherlands and its cities score high on safety, health care, traffic commute and low pollution. Dutch regions also rank high on the EU competitiveness index to work, live and do business: https://lnkd.in/eyJJgteR. Of course, every ranking should be taken with a pinch of salt. Rent prices in the Netherlands have increased rapidly for years. Internationals in the Netherlands may score the climate quality a little bit different. Ranking: https://lnkd.in/ev-cgvQb

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Too often, the debate on the digital euro is framed by fear and caution. Instead of defending the status quo, the EU should embrace this opportunity. A digital euro could guarantee universal access to safe electronic money, increase competition and lower costs, strengthen financial resilience and inclusion, and even protect privacy better than the current banking system. Vicky Van Eyck and Martijn Jeroen Van Der Linden and I argue in EUobserver that the digital euro must be designed as a true public good. Read our op-ed: https://lnkd.in/ekjFw_kH #digitaleuro #ecb #cbdc

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Iraqi expertise ➡️ global impact 🌍 At the COMPASS Global Meeting, Iraq’s National Referral Mechanism stood out as a model of reintegration support. Through the COMPASS initiative, IOM + the Kingdom of the Netherlands are strengthening countries' cooperation on migration and partnerships to achieve sustainable solutions Netherlands Embassy Iraq

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📢 IMF to the Netherlands: Shift from stimulus to structural reform The IMF has wrapped up its 2025 Article IV Mission to the Netherlands. This in-depth annual assessment was based on economic data analysis, expert interviews, and policy reviews conducted by IMF staff on the ground from May 7–20. 🧩 Key conclusions: - The Dutch economy is strong but hitting limits: labor shortages, grid congestion, housing scarcity, and emissions constraints. - Fiscal policy must pivot—broad stimulus is no longer needed. Now is the time to invest in supply-side capacity: infrastructure, education, housing, and green energy. - Tax and capital market reforms are essential to boost productivity and investment. - The green and demographic transitions require bold, forward-looking action. 💼 For companies: Align your advocacy Instead of pushing for short-term relief, support reforms that expand the economy’s potential: - Back sustainable tax policies and carbon pricing. - Champion infrastructure upgrades and workforce development. - Promote better access to capital for SMEs and scale-ups. ✅ These aren’t just public goals—they’re key to a competitive, future-ready business environment. Time to act! 📄 https://lnkd.in/eAf7eVCz #IMF #StructuralReform #BusinessLeadership #PublicPrivatePartnerships

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Ten leading knowledge institutions, including Deltares, KNMI, MARIN, NLR, RIVM, TNO, Wageningen Research, Naturalis, NFI, and RCE, are joining forces and working together to create DigiLab Applied Knowledge. This programme, supported by the Ministerie van Economische Zaken, simplifies the exchange of advanced data, models, computing capacity, and algorithms, thereby helping knowledge institutions to develop integrated solutions for complex social issues. 👉 Read more at Deltares: https://ow.ly/ZHwe50WFWBV KNMI - Koninklijk Nederlands Meteorologisch Instituut, MARIN (Maritime Research Institute Netherlands), NLR - Netherlands Aerospace Centre, Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu, TNO, Wageningen University & Research, Naturalis Biodiversity Center Nederland, Nederlands Forensisch Instituut, Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed

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