The Netherlands is at a crossroads: invest or fall behind
Just before the debate on “The Netherlands” earning capacity', the Dutch world of technology, innovation and industry is sending a unanimous message to The Hague. Develop an investment agenda now. There is no time to wait for a new cabinet. Nor is there any need to.
The mood is right and there is broad political support for investing in innovation, as evidenced by the various election manifestos. At least seven parties want to invest 3% of GDP in R&D every year.
In an interview with De Telegraaf, FME chairman Theo Henrar, TNO CEO Tjark Tjin-A-Tsoi and Brainport Eindhoven chairman Jeroen Dijsselbloem, also on behalf of Techleap and Twente Board, argue for the following, among other things:
- A national investment agenda that starts now, not only when a new cabinet is formed
- A powerful national investment bank that participates in the premier league
- Active use of pension capital for start-ups and scale-ups
- Greater implementation power by granting permits more quickly and putting the preconditions for growth in order: solving network congestion, lower energy prices and regulations.
In a joint message to the government, the above organisations call for action to be taken now, rather than waiting for a new government, including:
- Implementation of the Wennink Advisory Report: act decisively on the Wennink Advisory Report, which will be published at the end of this year
- Clarity for the semiconductor sector: where are the investments for the ChipNL innovation programme?
- Working on a mature venture capital market so that new Dutch tech companies can continue to grow
- Adjusting budget rules so that investments are no longer suppressed by short-term expenditure
The message is clear: other countries are not waiting. It is time to make choices and take action. Only in this way can we keep the Netherlands attractive, innovative and competitive