Dutch Growth to Reach 2.6%

The Dutch economy is forecast to grow 2.6% next year, but the finance minister believes Brexit and trade conflicts pose a considerable risk, according to the latest leaked budget documents, DutchNews reported. The government is due to publish its economic forecasts and 2019 spending plans on Tuesday, but much of the paperwork has already been leaked to the press. RTL Nieuws and the NRC both report that Finance Minister Wopke Hoekstra will tell MPs on Tuesday that “95% of the population will have more to spend next year”. However, Brexit and trade wars are factors to be reckoned with, RTL says Hoekstra will state in his speech on the state of the economy. “The cabinet is preparing the Netherlands for such economic setbacks by doing more to get the government’s finances in order in 2019,” the leaked speech states. “But we are not there yet.” In particular, the high government debt needs to be tackled, the speech states. Broadcaster NOS said on Friday that the documents show spending power will rise by an average of 1.5% next year.