Netherlands rolls out red carpet to Indian ICT companies

Bangalore, Nov 27 (UNI) Eyeing to cash in on the fast growing and cash rich Indian ICT sector, now looking westward for acquisitions and expansion, Netherlands has rolled out the red carpet to the country that was a strategic investment destination in Europe.

The Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) today invited top Indian corporates for an interactive seminar on 'The Netherlands: Pioneers in international IT business', as part of its plans to enhance its interaction with the India's leading corporate entities through an active outreach campaign.

The Dutch have also brought a trade mission which includes top leaders from top 70 companies.

Speaking at a seminar Netherlands India Chamber of Commerce Chairman Rutger Loopmans said the Dutch offered a truly open economy and strategic location in Europe for the sunrise industry.

''Dutch are pioneers in international IT business and a business friendly platform for Indian ICT companies to expand operations in Europe. We have more than 5,000 foreign companies having operations in our country and 50 of these are Indian like TCS, Tata Steel, Wipro, Suzlon Energy, Genpact, Moser Baer, Infosys, Aurobindo Pharma and Polaris Software,'' he said.

The pro-business environment of the Netherlands was ranked high in recent international competitiveness studies like the Economist Intelligence unit. One particularly attractive feature of Holland business environment is the Dutch tax climate for international companies. Corporate tax had been lowered to 25.5 per cent and dividend tax from 25 per cent to 15 per cent,'' he added.

Mr Loopmans said Holland offered great business advantages to Indian businesses that include a strategic location in Europe, an international business environment, excellent infrastructure, highly educated and multilingual work force, enviable and affordable quality of life and stable fiscal climate.

UNI