bv Nederland

Dutch

Alternative forms

• BV Nederland

Etymology

Literally, “The Netherlands, ltd.”. Attested from c. 1980 onwards, when it was popularized by a television programme of the same name (previously known as Wat voor weer zou het zijn in Den Haag?) broadcast by the Dutch public broadcaster VARA. Compare English UK plc, GB plc and Singapore Inc.

Proper noun

bv Nederland f

1. (politics) The Netherlands viewed as if it were a private enterprise, to be developed in light of the global market and international competition
   • 2012, Froukje Santing, Dwars op de tijdgeest:

     Door geen andere oriëntatie dan die op het geloof te erkennen, stagneert de bv Nederland.

     By recognizing no orientation other than than that of faith, the Netherlands, ltd. stagnates.

   • 2013, Jan Roelofs, Koopman, dominee, kunstenaar. Uitdagingen en kernkwaliteiten van de Nederlandse man:

     De BV Nederland doet het in de jaren tachtig en zeker in de jaren negentig heel goed.

     The Netherlands, ltd. did very well in the 80s, and certainly in the 90s.

   • 2021, Jaap de Groot, De magie van Max Verstappen:

     Ook het besef dat de BV Nederland juist bij grote sportevenementen gebaat kan zijn, is er nog te weinig.

     There is still too little awareness that the Netherlands, ltd. can benefit from large sporting events.