Another key aspect to the Netherlands’ international success is the country’s position, which ensures that its economy is built on trade with other countries. “The country ranks among the world’s top 10 exporters and is the fifth largest exporter in the EU” (Location is key 12). The countries around the Netherlands account for the vast majority of Dutch exports, namely her neighboring country, Germany. The Middle East, however, accounts for a good portion of the country’s remaining exports. “In 1996 Dutch exports to Asia totaled just over $10,000 million. Of these, 21.3 percent ended up in the Middle East” (Location is key 12). A major interest to the Dutch economy is Iraq. It is a large country with a large population and a lot of oil. “Dutch companies are interested in Iraq, but only when the bans [UN sanctions] are lifted” (Location is key 12).
Because of this keen interest in Iraq and the country’s immense respect among international affairs, the Netherlands has teemed up with the UK and presented a proposal to the UN Security Council to replace the UN Special Commission (UNSCOM) with a new weapons inspections body (IRAQ 17). The new body, called the UN Commission for Investigation, Inspection & Monitoring, would oblige Iraq to allow inspection teams immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access to all areas, facilities, equipment, records and means of transportation (IRAQ 17). In exchange for this, the new plan would eliminate the $5,250 million limit on the amount of oil Iraq can sell under the UN oil-for-food deal and it would set up an UN committee to recommend ways of increasing Iraq’s oil production. Whether this plan works or not will remain to be seen. The Netherlands would like to see it go through, however, so that trade with Iraq can begin as soon as possible.
If you wanted to move to another country, then the Netherlands would be the place to go. The government, although in a bit of a crunch right now, is very stable and the economy is better that good. The liberal atmosphere in the Netherlands would create a cozy place to call home and success would not be hard to find.
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