rate of 1.9 percent. About 32.5 percent of the GDP is produced by manufacturing, construction, and energy-related activities; agriculture contributed 5 percent, and the service sector was also a major contributor. As of late, however, the major growth of the Dutch economy has been due to stock growth and, as I already mentioned, large activity among private firms. "Previously, investing in stocks and bonds in the Netherlands, like in other European countries, had been a matter primarily for those in the financial industry and the wealthy" (Janssen 42). In fact, not until the late 1980's did it occur to middle class Dutchmen or women to invest their savings in the stock market. Now all of that has changed. Currently in the Netherlands, everybody talks about owning stocks. The stock market-fad is sweeping through the country. Investor clubs have become extremely popular, and there are a number of investing courses, seminars and fairs welcome to the public. "About 2 million people in the Netherlands are shareowners in one way or another" (Jansen 42). Throughout history, the Netherlands has always been about owning stock. For example, the VOC, the Dutch East Indies Company, founded in 1602, was the first stock-owned company in the world. Today the Amsterdam Stock Exchange (AEX), one of the oldest exchanges in Europe, ranks fourth in Europe, after London, Frankfurt, and Paris. Some of the big boosters of the AEX are pension funds. "Pension funds play an important role in the Dutch economy, as all workers are obliged to save for their old age through their employer's pension fund" (Jansen 42). Some of these funds are huge players in the world market. For example, the fund for Dutch public servants is one of the largest funds in the world. In addition, the government actively promotes individual savings for retirement. Consequently, with everyone thinking about their later years, the AEX will always have a good market.Another ...
