Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Micky Adriaanse announced on LinkedIn today that entrepreneurs – “the baker, the hairdresser, the big companies, the SMEs and the companies that are at the forefront of technological innovation” – are at the center of tonight’s debate. Tonight, The House of Representatives discuss the earning power of the Netherlands. Adriaanse thinks politicians today “should ask themselves whether entrepreneurs and companies still consider the Netherlands a nice place to work, live and invest.”
From the SME community, the answer to that question is clear. The Nationale Peiling Ondernemingsklimaat 2024, conducted by VNO-NCW and MKB-Nederland, shows that entrepreneurs think the business climate has deteriorated compared to last year. Almost half do not find the Netherlands attractive from a business perspective, and a fifth of those surveyed are considering leaving the country.
National Growth Fund
Today’s essential agenda item is the National Growth Fund (NGF), under pressure from a majority in Dutch politics. With the fund, the cabinet investst twenty billion euros between 2021 and 2025 in projects that contribute to the sustainable earning capacity of the Netherlands. Several individuals and organizations, including TNO, VNO-NCW, and financial institutions, have already pointed out these investments’ economic and social importance.
Given political shifts and impending budget cuts, the innovation community is concerned about the survival of the Netherlands as a technologically advanced country. Last month, Quantum Delta NL and PhotonDelta launched a petition to protect the NGF and the future of Dutch innovation. The parties urge the preservation of critical investments amid political shifts that could affect the country’s competitive advantage.
The debate begins at 6 p.m.; you can follow it here. Of course, we will also report on our website.
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