Several Dutch chip companies are already established in Arizona. In addition, Minister Beljaarts is opening a Netherlands Business Support Office in Phoenix, Arizona today, also on behalf of Minister Reinette Klever of Foreign Trade and Development Aid. The aim of this representation is to provide structural support to Dutch companies that want to do business in Silicon Desert.

Minister Beljaarts (Economic Affairs):

Nobody knows exactly what our economy will look like in the future. What challenges and opportunities technology will offer our society. What we do know is that good hardware, in the form of semiconductors, is the basis for digital development and therefore the key to economic growth. The ties we are forging here in Arizona today strengthen transatlantic cooperation and therefore lay a solid foundation for sustainable growth and innovation. Not only for the semiconductor industry but for the entire Dutch and European economy.’’

Katie Hobbs (Governor of Arizona):

Arizona enjoys a strong bilateral relationship with the Netherlands that spans trade, cultural exchanges, and many high-tech industries, including semiconductors, this MOU and the new Netherlands Business Support Office in Arizona will further our important partnership and open new doors for collaboration.

Cooperation agreement

Minister Beljaarts will visit Phoenix, Arizona, as part of a working visit to the US from 5 to 6 January. A region that is also known as Silicon Desert. The region is an international hub for high-tech companies in the semiconductor industry. With the signing of this cooperation agreement, Minister Beljaarts is taking a new step in the cooperation between the United States and the Netherlands when it comes to the semiconductor industry. The agreement specifically focuses on cooperation in the areas of talent development, R&D, valorisation, ecosystem management and development.

Support for Dutch companies

In addition, Minister Beljaarts is opening a new Netherlands Business Support Office (NBSO) in Phoenix today, also on behalf of Minister Klever of Foreign Trade and Development Aid. With the opening of this trade office, concrete steps are being taken to continue to support Dutch businesses in this region. Trade between the Netherlands and Phoenix grew significantly by 34 percent between 2020 and 2024. The entire state of Arizona as a whole exports more than a billion dollars to the Netherlands. We are also seeing more and more Dutch companies investing in Arizona.

The trade office supports Dutch companies if they have plans to do business in Phoenix. Think of a company that wants to export to Phoenix or wants to establish a business here. An NSBO ​​can then provide them with practical support by helping them find collaboration partners, market information and information about local laws and regulations.

The visit to Arizona underlines the ambition of the Netherlands to be an international leader in technological developments and at the same time create new economic opportunities.