Predicting is easy, especially when it comes to the future.

You recognize this statement, but maybe not. It is a variation on the often-heard saying that 'predicting is difficult, especially when it comes to the future. Funny of course, but so true. I will mention another one: One thing is certain: the future is uncertain. I dare (yes, yes) to predict that uncertainty will continue to prevail for the time being. I think you will agree with me that this is not a very bold prediction. Predicting is easy.

How will the war in Ukraine progress? How will the energy crisis develop? Will there be a large-scale food crisis? What further consequences will the war have? Will inflation remain high? And interest rates, what will they do? How is the German economy, so important to us, holding up? And then there are the many effects of climate change... And so on.

In all these areas there are authoritative experts who have an opinion. Often a well-reasoned opinion, credible too. But we know, and recent times have certainly taught us this, that predicting is difficult. On the one hand, this applies to the effect of known developments, such as climate change, but of course also to unexpected events, such as the war in Ukraine. Predicting is difficult.

At the same time, we live in the present time and we have to deal with those uncertainties. For you, as an exporter, financier or consultant, this certainly applies. Every market you do business with has its own challenges. And they are very relevant and very diverse. And what gives you confidence with all this uncertainty is the fact that you are not only used to dealing with it but that you are also very good at it. The Dutch, and certainly Dutch exporters, are opportunistic and also creative in a good way. That is what has made us, as a small country, such a big economy after all. And the monthly figures on export growth still show growth in 2022. But how will this continue? Forecasting is difficult.

Certainly, in uncertain times, interpreting developments and explaining possible scenarios remain important. Our economists will continue to do so and we hope that this will provide you with at least some understanding and perhaps a little support. You will therefore continue to find our explanations and analyses here and in many other media.

And what we will certainly continue to do is to facilitate you in your export deals and financing. We are there for it and we love to do it. We are therefore very happy that more and more start-ups, scale-ups and other SMEs are finding their way to us. And we continue to support large companies as well. Because your markets are constantly changing, we also regularly develop new products or new possibilities with existing products. Of course, we will share these with the public, but I would also advise you to check our website regularly. And if you have a question or want to discuss something with us, don't hesitate.

I wish you wisdom and success.