Voorschoten - The Leiden Region is gaining a professional regional Expat Centre.  This at the initiative of Economie071, a collaboration of businesses, local government and educational and knowledge centres which carries out projects aimed at stimulating the regional economy.  The expected location will be the VVV brand store at Leiden Marketing. 

Foreign knowledge workers and expats will be able to use the regional Expat Centre for addressing their questions, local government registrations and referrals for schools and clubs.  For businesses and local councils it will be a knowledge centre where they can keep up to date about new trends and developments or coordinate various matters. 

Knowledge Intensive Region
The Leiden Region is the most knowledge-intensive region of the Netherlands.  The highest number of highly educated people live and work in this region.  This makes it attractive for businesses.  They prefer to establish their business close to their employees, who often choose this region due to the pleasant living environment and facilities.   Expats are important to the regional economy and that is why cooperation at a regional level is so important.  “By maintaining and using the Expat Centre at a region-wide scale, we present ourselves as an international knowledge region and create something with genuine value.  For the expats themselves, for all of the organisations involved, for the region as a whole and also for future international businesses which will undoubtedly weigh this service in their considerations when settling here”, according to Wendelien Tönjann, councillor for the Oegstgeest District and one of the governing commissioners from Economie071.

Good Expat Climate Means Opportunities
Expats find work at companies that need highly skilled people.  Those jobs in turn have a positive effect on the employment market at HBO and MBO levels and for suppliers.  A good expat climate provides opportunities for everyone.  Every year, 3,000 people come from abroad to settle in the Leiden region.  The Expat Centre anticipates the needs of these knowledge workers by offering a four-step service: “Coming in, Settling in, Living in and Leaving to”.  Every phase – from orientation to departure – offers opportunities.  The Expat Centre is an important link between the expats and the region which will promote social cohesion in the community of international workers and students.

Vacancy
The new Expat Centre is currently seeking a manager who can implement the business plan.  Further information about this position can be found on www.economie071.nl.