Regio Randstad

The delta of the Rhine, Maas and Schelde rivers is since long a special place where Northwest Europe meets the world's seas. Hollanders reclaimed large parts of the area from the water. From this delta economy arises an open and flexible attitude that has always actively contributed to the development of an attractive international investment and working climate.

The functionally highly differentiated area of Randstad Region is the motor of the economy, knowledge industry, innovation, business and financial services and tourism in the Netherlands. In some districts clusters of excellence have arisen. The area can be seen as a 'ring of cities' that is gradually developing into a metropolitan region. Its 'green heart' stands out as a network of nature reserves and areas of abundant water at the centre of the ring. The entire region is also known as the Delta Metropolis and forms one of Europe's major intersections in the rapidly changing global network community.

Many foreign companies have established their head offices and distribution centres in the Randstad Region. The region's strengths in Europe are the main air and sea ports Amsterdam/Schiphol and Rotterdam, the flower and agricultural industry and international tourism. The dynamics of the physical infrastructure, with the city of Utrecht as a major 'hub', and the strong performance of the ICT infrastructure create the optimal conditions. Den Haag's position as the international city of peace and justice and seat of the national government plays a role, along with widespread cultural and cultural-historical aspects, education (seven universities) and research, the high quality living environment and tourist/recreational facilities in and between the cities in the Randstad Region.

Randstad Region: priorities in Europe

The four Randstad provinces (Noord-Holland, Zuid-Holland, Utrecht and Felvoland) work together in Europe as Randstad Region to strengthen the international competitive position and to maintain the high quality of life in the Randstad Region.

Working in Brussels

Representatives of the Randstad Region operate from the House of the Dutch Provinces, in Brussels, and act as a liaison between the Randstad and European networks. They work in close co-operation with representatives of the European regions, the four major cities in the Randstad (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Den Haag and Utrecht) and other European institutions. There are close links with colleagues from the other eight provinces of the Netherlands. Their tasks comprise making observations, preparing policy and directing, organising and carrying out public affairs and lobbying activities. The Randstad Region supports their representatives in the Committee of the Regions.