Economic Affairs Min. warns of pressure on future prosperity despite economic growth

It is good news that the Dutch economy has grown in the last quarter. However, future prosperity is still under pressure, said Minister Dirk Beljaarts (Economic Affairs) on the numbers that were published on Wednesday by Statistics Netherlands (CBS). "It seems like we now don't have to worry about the economy."

The minister pointed out that the aging population, staff shortages, and space on the power grid can obstruct the growth. According to Beljaarts, more work must be done to increase productivity, which will be crucial for entrepreneurs and businesses. This means: "doing more with the same amount of people. The labor productivity dropped by 1.3 percent in 2023 compared to 2022," the minister added. He also said that business owners should not have to be constantly burdened with new rules.

"And they should be able to count on a predictable government that does not keep raising the taxes when holes need to be plugged. My commitment is, therefore, not to let the burden on businesses continue to rise. We must cherish businesses and not bully them away," the minister continued.

Companies should be more appreciated, according to him. "They pay employees wages every month and thus provide security of existence for many people. They also play an important role in society, from sponsoring a sports club to the Christmas lighting in the shopping streets."