Dutch economy defies global gloom

Dutch economy defies global gloom

By Michael Steen and John Thornhill in The Hague

Published: February 11 2008 17:08 | Last updated: February 11 2008 17:08

The Dutch economy is proving surprisingly robust despite the global credit squeeze, prompting cautiously optimistic forecasts from business leaders and economists.

After a period of stagnation and structural reform at the beginning of the century, the Netherlands has emerged with unemployment and inflation rates among the lowest in the eurozone and GDP is expected to have grown about 3 per cent in 2007.