The Dutch East India Company (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie or VOC in Dutch, literally 'United East Indian Company') was a chartered company established in 1602, when the States-General of the Netherlands granted it a 21-year monopoly to carry out colonial activities in Asia.
. The VOC was the first multinational corporation in the world and the first company to issue stock. It was also arguably the world's first megacorporation, possessing quasi-governmental powers, including the ability to wage war, negotiate treaties, coin money, and establish colonies.
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