ation of Netherlands Trade
Union Movement (comprising Socialist and Catholic trade unions) and a
Protestant trade union; Federation of Catholic and Protestant Employers
Associations; Interchurch Peace Council or IKV; large multinational firms;
the nondenominational Federation of Netherlands Enterprises

International organization participation: AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group,
Benelux, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, EIB, EMU, ESA,
ESCAP, EU, FAO, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,
IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,
NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNTSO, UNU, UPU,
WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Joris
M. VOS consulate(s): Boston consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston,
Los Angeles, New York FAX: [1] (202) 362-3430 telephone: [1] (202)
244-5300 chancery: 4200 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador
Clifford M. SOBEL embassy: Lange Voorhout 102, 2514 EJ, The Hague mailing
address: PSC 71, Box 1000, APO AE 09715 telephone: [31] (70) 310-9209 FAX:
[31] (70) 361-4688 consulate(s) general: Amsterdam

Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white,
and blue; similar to the flag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter blue
and is longer

Economy Netherlands

Economy - overview: The Netherlands is a prosperous and open
economy depending heavily on foreign trade. The economy is noted for
stable industrial relations, moderate inflation, a sizable current
account surplus, and an important role as a European transportation
hub. Industrial activity is predominantly in food processing, chemicals,
petroleum refining, and electrical machinery. A highly mechanized
agricultural sector employs no more than 4% of the labor force but
provides large surpluses for the food-processing industry and for
exports. The Netherlands, along with 11 of its EU partners, began
circulating the euro currency on 1 January 2002. The country continues
to be one of the leading European nations for attracting foreign direct
investment. Economic growth slowed considerably in 2001, as part of the
global economic slowdown, but for the four years before that, annual
growth averaged nearly 4%, well above the EU average.

GDP: purchasing power