The Netherlands has sent a high-level delegation to this year’s Expo Real in Munich, including housing minister Mona Keijzer, as part of a drive to attract foreign investors to the Dutch residential sector.

Chris Kuijpers is Secretary-General and Director-General of Housing and Construction

“The government has set a target of building 100,000 new homes every year for the next 10 years and this requires a huge effort and a significant amount of investment capital,” says Chris Kuijpers, the highest ranking civil servant in the Netherlands in the field of housing, ahead of the trade fair.

“This is why we need both national and international funding  — from our housing associations and Dutch institutional investors to international players. On top of that, international investors bring something extra. They can often step in earlier and on a larger scale, helping to get major area developments moving. Given the challenge we face, we simply need that kind of investment capacity. So yes — international investors are very welcome in the Dutch residential market.”

“Beyond that, I want to emphasise the strong commitment of the Dutch government — both now and in the future — to the housing market. We have reserved €7.5 billion for incentive schemes for housing and the related infrastructure. This has a direct impact on housing production and on the overall attractiveness of the Netherlands as a place to invest.”

24 target locations

The Dutch government has identified 24 areas for fast track development which account for 150,000 homes and, says Chris investing in these large-scale development areas, in terms of both development capital and turnkey acquisitions, “should be on every foreign investor’s radar”.

“Some of the international investors also bring interesting experience with large scale urban developments that may help us at national and local levels to innovate in sustainability measures, industrial production methods, AI based design, and so on,” he says. “We have seen some good examples of that and invite them to come and talk to us and find ways to work together. “

In addition to the 24 fast-track developments, the Dutch government has recently published a new National Spatial Plan, which outlines the future of spatial development in the Netherlands. This plan designated 21 areas for large scale residential development which together amount to almost 400.000 new homes and a “huge potential for future investment”.

Expo Real visit

The government, Chris says, is very much aware of the importance of offering a stable and attractive investment climate. “Real estate investments are, by their very nature, long term,” he says. “Housing policy should reflect that by providing long-term stability.

“However, the honest truth is that we cannot provide absolute guarantees for the entire lifespan of many residential real estate investments. What we can do, however, is maintain an open dialogue. My ministry and I are committed to working closely with representatives from all kinds of investors to make sure your perspectives are reflected in our housing policy. That is exactly why we are visiting EXPO Real.”

There is, says Chris, a broad commitment within the government arena to move forward quickly. “We must not forget that in many respects the Netherlands remains a highly attractive country for foreign investors. The rule of law here is undisputed, our economic growth is stable, demand for housing is high, and there is a strong tradition of public–private partnerships and transparency.

These economic drivers in combination with the policy aims of the Dutch government, such as the appointed large-scale areas for residential development, create an attractive and sustainable investing opportunities.”