The Dutch government says the country's economy will grow by 2.6 percent next year and unemployment will fall to a record low of 3.5 percent.
The projected sixth year of growth reflects an economy that has recovered strongly from the global financial crisis a decade ago.
King Willem-Alexander unveiled the projections Tuesday while opening the new parliamentary year with a speech to both houses of parliament that outlines the policy plans of Prime Minister Mark Rutte's four-party ruling coalition.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte flashes a thumbs up as he talks on in his phone in The Hague, Netherlands, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, prior to a ceremony marking the opening of the parliamentary year with a speech by King Willem-Alexander outlining the government's budget plans for the year ahead. (AP PhotoPeter Dejong)
The king and Queen Maxima rode through crowd-lined streets of The Hague in a horse-drawn carriage to deliver the speech that is written by the government, at the historic Knights Hall in the middle of the parliamentary complex.
Finance Minister Wopke Hoekstra will present the detailed budget plans to lawmakers later.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte uses his mobile phone in The Hague, Netherlands, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, prior to a ceremony marking the opening of the parliamentary year with a speech by King Willem-Alexander outlining the government's budget plans for the year ahead. (AP PhotoPeter Dejong)
Woman in traditional Dutch clothing from the village of Staphorst look at their smart phones as they wait for Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima's arrival in a horse-drawn carriage at the Knight's Hall in The Hague, Netherlands, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, for a ceremony marking the opening of the parliamentary year with a speech by King Willem-Alexander outlining the government's budget plans for the year ahead. (AP PhotoPeter Dejong)