TNO writes in a recently published paper that the Dutch high-tech sector is facing new opportunities thanks to the rapid development of technologies such as AI, quantum and photonics. TNO advocates a joint strategy of companies, knowledge institutions and the government to take advantage of these opportunities and argues that the National Growth Fund should be converted into a structural financing instrument for R&D. Marc Hendrikse, figurehead of Holland High Tech, supports this vision and emphasizes that a national strategy is crucial for the high-tech sector and the earning capacity of the Netherlands.
Transformation
With a turnover of more than 80 billion euros in 2021, the high-tech sector makes an important contribution to the earning capacity of the Netherlands. TNO looked at how the sector can continue to provide this value to society in the future. It is expected that in 2040 50% of the turnover will be generated from new value chains, such as laser-satellite communication and equipment for sustainable energy. To maintain the Dutch competitive position in high-tech, the sector must become 150% more productive and transform into 100% sustainable business operations. According to TNO, for more strategic autonomy it is necessary that we build these new value chains and focus our innovation policy on them for a longer period of time.
National hightech strategy
This transformation presents the sector with a number of new challenges. For example, the Netherlands must become better at bringing innovations and new technologies to the market more quickly, for example with start-up and scale-up programs and targeted international cooperation. Additional policy is also needed to attract talent and it is important that there is a human capital agenda in which recruitment is based on skills rather than education. De Jong: “To facilitate high-tech companies in these tasks, a National High-Tech Strategy is needed, building on the National Technology Strategy, among other things. We invite high-tech companies, knowledge institutions and the government to develop this strategy together.”
Financing R&D
TNO also looked at Dutch innovation policy and research funding. Until about 2030, the Netherlands will invest heavily in the transformation of the high-tech industry, mainly through the National Growth Fund programmes. The National Growth Fund will give the high-tech sector an important boost in the coming years, but according to TNO, a strategic vision for the sector is lacking. For example, the European Chips Act will be implemented in the Netherlands in the coming period, while a clear translation of this is lacking and is necessary to achieve breakthroughs in key technologies, such as advanced materials, quantum and nanotechnology.
Holland High Tech strong supporter of National High Tech Strategy
Holland High Tech, top sector HTSM, joins TNO's call, says figurehead Marc Hendrikse. In any case, I think it is very good that attention is being paid in this way to how important the high-tech sector is in the Netherlands. In terms of completing the major transitions - such as circularity and energy - but it is also very necessary for the earning capacity of the Netherlands."
Holland High Tech is therefore "very much in favor" of setting up a national strategy. "We are also trying to do that from the Top Sector, before 2030. What I have seen of this is very much in line with what TNO writes." In addition, the call for funding is very important, Hendrikse emphasizes. "In the Netherlands, we have a certain hesitation about funding for the long term. We are not used to calculating with financing in this kind of long horizons. The same applies to the private sector. In other countries, people are less afraid of this But if we want new startups and scaleups in the Netherlands with new technologies, then that requires a long breath and larger amounts than if you develop a new app, for example." Moreover, existing SMEs also need financing for their growth, Hendrikse adds. "And then you see that banks are reluctant and the government has no instruments. So we agree that this is badly needed."
