With this step, both countries aim to further strengthen the ties between companies, knowledge institutions, and governments, and explore how cooperation can be expanded across borders. This development aligns with the European Semicon Coalition presented at the initiative of Minister Beljaarts in March. This cooperation focuses on additional innovation, expanding the European position to other parts of the value chain, and bringing technology to market more quickly.

Minister Beljaarts: "The semiconductor sector is essential for our economic growth, European technological leadership, and national security. By collaborating with innovative and strong partners outside Europe such as Singapore, Japan, and South Korea, we strengthen our mutual position in the global value chain."

Semiconductors have become a central pivot in geopolitical and economic power relations. The sector already represented 15% of global goods trade in 2020. It is expected that the sector will have an annual revenue of 1 trillion euros by 2030 and possibly double again by 2040.

The Netherlands has one of the most advanced and collaborative semiconductor ecosystems in the world, with international leaders such as ASML, ASM, and NXP, an innovative SME sector, and a strong knowledge base including TNO and the technical universities of Delft, Eindhoven, and Twente. Singapore has leading manufacturing companies, strong research and development capabilities, and plays a key role in global supply chains. A governmental working group - such as the NL-SG Bilateral Working Group on Semiconductors - is a good example of how these ecosystems are connected and how cooperation in innovation and technology development can be stimulated. This working group is a joint initiative of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry.
 

Minister Beljaarts is accompanied during his visit to the Semicon Southeast Asia Conference by two Dutch delegations of more than 50 leading companies, knowledge institutions, and government representatives from the semiconductor and integrated photonics industry. During his visit, several new collaborations have been announced. For example, BESI is working with the Singaporean knowledge institute IME on innovative packaging technologies for microchips, and Sioux Technologies and MeetingSelect have signed new contracts with Singaporean partners. The companies have developed an online tool that allows customers to easily book meeting rooms in various hotels. These developments underscore the strength of Dutch entrepreneurship and international cooperation in the high-tech sector. In the lead-up to the 60th anniversary of relations with Singapore in December 2025, the visit also contributes to the further development of cooperation between both countries.