The provinces of Brabant, Gelderland, and Overijssel, the driving force of the manufacturing industry in the Netherlands, are joining forces. They urgently call on the government to use their knowledge and experience when making plans around innovation and technology. More than two-thirds of the Dutch innovative manufacturing industry is located in these provinces. On Tuesday, the Economic Deputies of the three provinces handed over a joint position paper to the Ministry of Economic Affairs in Nieuwspoort, The Hague.
In North Brabant, Gelderland, and Overijssel are the frontrunners in semiconductors, integrated photonics, and quantum technology. The provinces also lead in medical technology, health, and life sciences, as well as in the development of sustainable food and biotechnology. Many companies in these provinces also supply parts, machines, and technologies to other sectors in the Netherlands, such as construction, agriculture, and healthcare. They thus form an essential link in the national value chain.
These provinces also export extensively: the innovative products and technologies are used worldwide, giving the Netherlands a strong position in international markets. “We are the economic engine of the innovative manufacturing industry, but without sharp choices and focus on these technologies, the Netherlands loses its competitive edge,” says Martijn van Gruijthuijsen, Economic Deputy of Brabant.
The Netherlands faces major challenges such as grid congestion, lack of space, vulnerable digital infrastructure, and a shortage of technical talent. Moreover, few investors dare to take risks, making it difficult for innovative technology projects to find funding. North Brabant, Gelderland, and Overijssel have the (international) networks, experience, and people to solve these societal problems innovatively. Van Gruijthuijsen: “The government only needs to step in.”
No Time to Lose
The provinces ask the government to invest together in an agenda on these technologies: from making choices to implementing concrete projects.
This proposal aligns with current European and national ambitions. Think of the National Technology Strategy, the advisory process of former ASML CEO Peter Wennink, and the Draghi report on European competitiveness. That report called for acceleration, but a year later only a small part of the recommendations has been implemented.
According to Erwin Hoogland, Economic Deputy of Overijssel, waiting is not an option: “Otherwise, we risk that the Netherlands loses its technological lead. Our provinces form the heart of the Dutch manufacturing industry, but their importance extends far beyond our borders.”
Engine of the Manufacturing Industry
Brabant excels in high-tech system development, mechanical engineering, and integrated photonics. Overijssel is strong in medical technology and shares expertise in photonics. Gelderland leads in food technology, chip production, and advanced packaging. These clusters learn from each other, making the whole stronger.
Helga Witjes, Deputy of Gelderland province: “Companies and knowledge institutions are indispensable for Europe’s resilience, for our jobs, and for our future. In Gelderland, we have unique expertise in food technology around Wageningen and Food Valley, and in semiconductors, especially chip production and integration technology (packaging). We do this in Nijmegen and in ‘Lifeport’. Until 2030, we will train 6,000 people to work in the chip industry because this is the economy of the future. These value chains are strategically important for the future earning capacity and resilience of the Netherlands and Europe.”
The provinces point to their experience with PhotonDelta, a public-private partnership around integrated photonics. Thanks to regional investments, this has grown into an international network of companies and knowledge institutions, supported by hundreds of millions from Europe, the government, and the provinces.
ChipNL and ESRA
Earlier, the three provinces expressed their support for the ChipNL program. They are also members of the European Semicon Regions Alliance (ESRA), collaborating with other European regions on a strong semiconductor sector. In recent years, the provinces have invested heavily in organizational capacity, innovation projects, and shared facilities, laying the foundation for the current strong clusters. This makes them not only frontrunners in the Netherlands but also indispensable links in the European technological infrastructure.
Entrepreneurs or companies who want to contribute or join this cooperation can contact via email: economie@brabant.nl
