With the presentation of the report 'Towards a strong, open and internationally competitive financial centre' by chairman Arthur Docters van Leeuwen to Finance Minister Wouter Bos the Holland Financial Centre (HFC) was launched. The principal financial-services providers in the Netherlands took part in this initiative. The aim of the HFC is to further develop the Netherlands into an internationally attractive and strong financial centre. The Netherlands have a lot to offer in the field of pensions in particular. By a pooling of forces, the competitiveness of the industry can be further enhanced from an international viewpoint. A few quick wins - most of which are not or only slightly controversial and are easy to implement - can rapidly make the Netherlands more attractive. From a group of fifty recommendations, ten have now been selected as having top priority. The recommendations concern legislation for limited companies, access to capital markets and fiscal aspects.

Participants in Holland Financial Centre:
The Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets, the Dutch Ministry of Finance, De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek, Robeco, NYSE Euronext, ING, Aegon, Rabobank Nederland, KAS BANK, Monitoring Commissie, ABN AMRO, Fortis, DNB, ABP, Shell Asset Management Company, KPMG, Loyens & Loeff, NautaDutilh, Gemeente Amsterdam, Deloitte, IMC, Eureko, Van der Moolen, PGGM, Mn Services, Philips Pensioenfonds, Allen & Overy, Delta Lloyd, Optiver, SNS Reaal, the Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs and Price WaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, Cordares, Pensioenfonds Unilever Progress, the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, and the Dutch Ministry of Justice.

Website www.hollandfinancialcentre.com