When there is talk about the growth of the Dutch economy, often our ‘major trading partners’ are mentioned; Germany, Belgium and the United Kingdom.

That list is based on export amounts to countries which are the first destination of the goods. But many products are first imported, processed and then exported again. Moreover, many exported goods are eventually sold back to other countries. If one should make a top 5 based on added value and final destination the list suddenly looks very different.