The Netherlands' business-friendly regulatory environment draws extensive praise in "Doing Business in 2004," a report co-published by the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, and Oxford University Press.

The report notes: "Countries like Australia, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden present the best practices in business regulation, meaning regulation that fulfills the task of essential controls on business without imposing an unnecessary burden. In these countries, high levels of human capital in the public administration, and the use of modern technology minimize the regulatory burden on businesses." Stating that "heavier regulation brings bad outcomes," the report points out that in Europe, the Netherlands, along with Denmark, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, regulates the least of all nations.

Source: The World Bank Group via HIDC NewsLetter, 05 May 2004