Photos: RVD and own collection
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima paid a state visit to the Czech Republic on 4 and 5 June at the invitation of President Petr Pavel. They were accompanied by Minister Veldkamp of Foreign Affairs, Minister Brekelmans of Defence, and Ambassador Daan Huisinga. Our chair, Peter Stolk, also took part in the state visit, together with representatives of Dutch high-tech companies and organisations. He served as panel moderator during the strategic session Smart Industry and High Tech Ecosystems. The economic programme on 5 June focused on strengthening industrial cooperation in areas such as smart industry, automotive, and defence.
The Czech Republic and the Netherlands: partners in industrial transition
The Czech Republic is consistently the Netherlands' tenth largest export market, making it a key economic partner in Central Europe. It has a strong tradition in manufacturing, which is currently undergoing a digital and sustainable transformation. Due to geopolitical shifts, more and more Dutch companies that were previously producing outside of Europe are seeking new opportunities within the continent. The Czech Republic offers attractive prospects: it is relatively close to the Netherlands and home to a skilled industrial workforce.
King Willem-Alexander in his statement to President Petr Pavel:
We want to deepen our defence cooperation and take new steps to strengthen the ties between our economies. Fantastic opportunities lie within our grasp because we complement each other so well: Czechia as an industrial powerhouse and the Netherlands as a high-tech hub.
The Czech Republic and the Netherlands are two complementary economies with shared ambitions: strengthening Europe’s strategic autonomy and enhancing our industrial and innovation capacity. Since the launch of the Czech-Dutch Ministerial Smart Industry Agenda in 2021, both countries have been actively working together on a forward-looking industrial transition.
Visit to the High Tech Campus Dolní Břežany
The state visit also included a stop at the High Tech Campus in Dolní Břežany. This campus hosts companies, start-ups, and research facilities in the fields of laser and biotechnology. Following the Eindhoven model, governments, businesses, and research and educational institutions in Dolní Břežany collaborate on high-tech developments and innovations.
The delegation attended a CEO meeting with Dutch companies focused on economic opportunities and collaboration with the Czech Republic. The programme also included the opening of a Business Forum and a tour of the campus’s research facilities. The visit concluded with several strategic sessions with representatives from Czech and Dutch companies and knowledge institutes. Topics included the application of digital technologies and innovations in manufacturing processes, the energy transition, and sustainable mobility.
Strategic session Smart Industry and High Tech Ecosystems
During this panel discussion, moderated by Peter Stolk, representatives from Dutch and Czech companies, (regional) governments, and knowledge institutions came together to exchange ideas and explore collaboration opportunities in smart industry, innovation, and industrial growth. The session also explored the necessary steps to develop smart industrial ecosystems in the Czech Republic, benefitting both Dutch and Czech businesses and strengthening the competitiveness of our economies.
Peter Stolk, Chairman of Holland High Tech:
The panel discussion gave good insights into how the Czech Republic and the Netherlands can learn from each other in strengthening the high-tech collaborations for innovation within and between our countries. The Czech Republic has a strong manufacturing background and shows strong progress in further developing their high-tech ecosystem, as also exemplified by the set-up of the High Tech Campus in Dolní Břežany which hosted this inspiring event.
Participants were:
- Martin Bunček, Managing director Technologická agentura ČR (TAČR)
- Prof. Michal Pěchouček, Director AI Center (AIC) at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague
- Eveliene Langedijk, Director of Business Development and Innovation, FME
- Peter Stolk, Chairman of Holland High Tech .
