Roundup: Hard times drive innovation in Belgium and the Netherlands From Ahold's new corporate governance regime to Belgacom's planned €10 billion offering, Emma Barraclough looks at a year of news and deals in the Dutch and Belgian markets
Belgium's new look securities watchdog Jean Paul Servais, vice-chairman of Belgium's Banking and Finance Commission talks to IFLR about the role of the newly integrated regulator
Dutch regulators adapt to changing reality Jacob Kaptein, one of three board members at the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets, talks to Emma Barraclough about the overhaul of regulation in the country and what it means for the financial services industry
Corporate governance: New governance code sets the Netherlands on track The Netherlands' new corporate governance code will change how investors view the country. But its large-company rules still need to improve. By Steven R Schuit of Allen & Overy
Financial services: Regulators reshape to match consolidation Hugo Oppelaar explains how industry changes are driving financial services regulation
M&A: Why Dutch targets can make for troublesome buying Poison pills, takeover defences, certification schemes - Dutch takeover defences are many and varied. Hugo Oppelaar and Jan Paul van der Hoek run through the list of potential legal issues for foreign buyers
Public-private partnerships: Netherlands switches on to public-private deals There are good reasons why the government should welcome public-private partnership, says Jaap Koster
Real estate: Dutch property: a stepping stone to Europe Foreign buyers will find the Netherlands to be a good stepping stone to the rest of the Continent. By Aart Barkey Wolf
State aid: The cost of state backing in the new EU State aid rules could trip up companies doing business in the EU's new member states. By Marleen Van Kerckhove and Juan Jose Martinez Murillo