Number of businesses up 40,000 to a record high of 800,000

RIJSWIJK – The number of businesses in the Netherlands has topped 800,000, an all time high. On January 1, 2008 the country had 40,000 businesses more than a year earlier. Leading was construction (up 10,000) and business service industries (up 12,500). Many newcomers in the construction industry reported no employees, while those in the business services described themselves as consultants. In 2007, the number of computer service bureaus and information technology specialists increased by 2,500. The sharpest jump was recorded by the mail order sector. Its numbers rose by 1,200 or 40 percent. Regionally, the areas in and around large urban centres benefited most from this entrepreneurial growth.