Plan to lure rich foreigners a flop

The Cabinet wants to get rich foreigners to invest in the Netherlands, but the millionaire migrants stay away. In the one year since the government implemented the plan, only one wealthy foreigner reported, but was refused a residence permit because of the lack of proper documentation. State Secretary Fred Teeven of Security and Justice announced the measure for rich foreigners last year September. Foreigners who invest at least 1.25 million euro in the Dutch business community, can get a residence permit for one year. Now it seems that the scheme for wealthy foreigners has flopped. The VVD want the rules to be relaxed. "We are too cautious and miss the boat." said Parliament Member Malik Azmani on Tuesday in the Second Chamber. "Do not limit the scheme to investing into innovation, but give the investor freedom of choice. Let them invest in innovation or the creation of job opportunities or property." State Secretary Teeven will react to Azmani proposals on Wednesday. Earlier he announced that he will evaluate the scheme early next year. At the launch of the scheme last year opposition parties in the Second Chamber already reacted critically to the scheme. Groups argued that it is "sour" that the borders are sometimes firmly closed for war refugees while they are wide open for foreigners with money. SP Member of Parliament Sharon Gesthuizen even spoke of a "morally wrong" proposal.