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'Hiddink Most Important Ambassador for Dutch Exports'
AMSTERDAM - Football coach Guus Hiddink is the most important ambassador
for Dutch exports in the last decade, according to a survey by credit
insurer Atradius and the federation of exporting companies Fenedex.
Since 1998, Atradius and Fenedex have been charting the most important
movements in Dutch exports every year. This survey among 4,000 exporters
shows that 28 percent of them see Hiddink as the most important advocate
for Dutch trade. Second comes Crown Prince Willem-Alexander (17 percent)
and third (8 percent), Premier Jan Peter Balkenende.
Hiddink acquired international fame in recent years. In 2002, he piloted
South Korea to the semi-finals of the World Cup, after which he was even
offered the presidency of that country. In 2006, he excelled again with
Australia, another football dwarf. Next month, he will try to achieve
another stunt at the Euro 2008 tournament, this time as coach to Russia.
His secret, say insiders, is understanding the culture of the country
and removing any elements in it that might influence performance negatively.
Crown Prince Willem-Alexander's wife Princess Maxima was named by 7 percent
of the respondents, putting her in fourth place. Musician Tiesto, more
than once chosen as best DJ in the world, scored 2 percent. Sixth came
TV and theatre producer Joop van den Ende and seventh, the fashion designers
duo Victor & Rolf.
nisnews.nl,
07/06/08
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