The Netherlands has a long history of global commerce (dating back to the Dutch East India Company) and hosts several modern multinational giants.
* **ASML:** Headquartered in Veldhoven, this is arguably the most crucial tech company in the world, holding a near-monopoly on the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines required to manufacture advanced microchips. * **Philips:** Originally a lighting and electronics giant from Eindhoven, now a global leader in health technology. * **KLM Royal Dutch Airlines:** The oldest airline in the world still operating under its original name. * **ING Group:** A major multinational banking and financial services corporation. * **Booking.com:** Founded in Amsterdam, it is one of the world's leading digital travel agencies. * **Ahold Delhaize:** A massive international retail and supermarket group. * *(Note: Historically Dutch giants like Shell and Unilever have recently consolidated their headquarters to the UK, though they maintain a massive operational and historical footprint in the Netherlands.)*
