For this study, nearly 1,000 internationally active Dutch entrepreneurs answered questions from RVO. Additionally, the report includes figures on the services of the international network, RVO, and the Trade and Innovate Network. Other sources, such as the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), were also used.

Annemieke Broesterhuizen, Head of International Business at RVO, states in the foreword: 2024 is marked by ongoing challenges for internationally active entrepreneurs. The increasing influence of geopolitical tensions and conflicts in recent years is also noticeable in 2024. The economic climate remains challenging, although there are signs of improvement compared to 2022 and 2023.

Who is the Trade Monitor for and what can you do with it?

The Trade Monitor is intended as a source of information for RVOs public and private partners and all interested entrepreneurs.

With the information from the Trade Monitor, you can experience that there are more entrepreneurs who, like you, face challenges in international trade. For example:

• Challenges in doing international business within and outside the EU;
• The impact of the US presidential elections on global trade;
• The increasing consequences of applying artificial intelligence.

Trends in different regions

A large part of the Trade Monitor contains information about different regions. There is information on relevant trends and developments per region, with special attention to a number of priority countries. When doing business in Europe, entrepreneurs, for example, have many questions about packaging legislation. And in North America, there are opportunities in the semiconductor sector for Dutch entrepreneurs.

Read more about current trends and developments in international business:

• Download the Trade Monitor 2024 for free