This boosted the economy of what was then known as the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands. Amsterdam became the trade and financial hub of the Netherlands and – as the Dutch like to believe – the trade center of the world.
Section II Economic performance 1999-2003: It was at this stage that the military government under General Pervez Musharraf assumed power in October 1999. The initial period was devoted by the economic team of the new government in managing the crisis and making sure that the country avoided default.