With concrete proposals, the think tank aims to make the city more resilient, innovative, and attractive for entrepreneurs, talent, and investments. Economic alderman Robert Simons and city council member Dieke van Groningen (VVD) received the report this afternoon.

AI and CleanTech

The report outlines a vision for 2040, in which Rotterdam is internationally leading in the port economy, MedTech, and smart manufacturing – supported by digitalization, AI, and CleanTech. Additionally, the report contains recommendations to reduce regulatory pressure, give entrepreneurs more space, stimulate innovation, and retain and attract talent.

Competitiveness under pressure

The urgency to act is great, emphasizes the think tank in its report. Rotterdams competitiveness is under pressure: innovation capacity is declining, the number of bankruptcies is rising, and more and more companies are considering relocating abroad. At the same time, the think tank also sees many opportunities. Rotterdam has unique assets: a world port, strong knowledge institutions, and a deeply rooted mentality of building and collaborating.

‘Fewer rules, more trust’

Jolanda Jansen, chair of the Think Tank, appreciates that the city council has asked for this advice. ‘We ask for fewer rules that hinder us and more trust to be able to act. It is up to the municipality, education, and ourselves to jointly enable initiative, innovation, and development. We wrote this report out of love for the city and deep concerns about our future. As entrepreneurs, we have taken our responsibility. Now it is up to the city council to do the same and to work together with education and the business community. From Think Tank to Do Tank.’

Active lobbying in The Hague 

Alderman Robert Simons (Port, Economy, Hospitality, and Governance) is pleased with this report. It rightly underscores the collective concerns about regulatory and tax pressure. ‘At the municipal level, we are fully committed to reducing that pressure, while also actively lobbying in The Hague for better conditions and a stronger competitiveness. The themes identified by the think tank — innovation, digitalization/AI, and space for entrepreneurship — are precisely the challenges for the future. This advice helps us stay sharp on the choices we make and continue to build a strong economic Rotterdam in 2040 together with entrepreneurs, knowledge institutions, and the national government.’

The think tank, consisting of nine Rotterdam entrepreneurs from various sectors, held discussions with dozens of entrepreneurs, experts, and knowledge institutions. The advice was prepared at the request of the city council, following the motion ‘Rotterdam Think Tank for the Economy of Tomorrow’. The think tank received strategic-economic advice from Erasmus University.

See below for the full advice from the Think Tank  Rotterdam Economy 2040.