Column: Dirk Beljaarts | Business climate on the agenda

This week, ASML's top executive made critical noises towards politicians, warning, "We are also able to grow outside the Netherlands." It was certainly not the first warning politicians received about the business climate in our country. And not without reason.

Entrepreneurial Holland has been trying to be heard in The Hague for years. The common thread: make entrepreneurship pay again. Indeed, companies, especially SMEs, have not exactly felt supported by politicians in recent years.

It seems like a grey-turned-plate, but it is good to keep emphasising: SMEs contribute 62% of added value to the entire Dutch economy and are responsible for 73% of employment. When SMEs, including the hospitality and hotel industry, flourish, the whole society benefits. Surely, then, entrepreneurs and directors should also be rewarded for the risks they take. It helps if all ministries look integrally at what the effects are on the hospitality industry of all changing laws and regulations. And that they consult with the sector itself, to see if it is bearable. Then it helps if the cost of labour does not rise too drastically, as it is now with the huge increase in the legal minimum wage (WML). Besides the WML, the tax on labour in our country is also high. Add to this all the dues, precaria, local taxes and levies, excise duties and the regulatory burden and it would almost make you feel gloomy. Apart from that, it is important for investors that the government behaves as a reliable and stable partner. So no undesirable proposals, such as the drastic increase in VAT on lodging.

But fortunately, with the hotel industry as an inspiring example, SMEs are often at the forefront of innovations. For example, in the field of sustainability and being a good employer. The knowledge to run a healthy business with an eye for employees, the surroundings and the environment is there. I am very proud of the level at which Dutch hotels are run. Hoteliers do know what they need to run a good and responsible business. From Koninklijke Horeca Nederland, we are only too happy to bring these examples to The Hague. To give insight into what we need, but also to show what we bring, what our added value is. Which hotelier will join us next time?