Sheikh notes that whilst the Netherlands does have strong regional specialisations, there is a lack of structural links between these regions. Amsterdam is a leader in the field of AI and digital applications; Brainport Eindhoven in the field of hardware, machinery and semiconductor technology. Together, these two regions account for over a quarter of the Netherlands’ GDP.
It is precisely the combination of AI expertise from Amsterdam and chip design expertise from Eindhoven that offers opportunities. For example, collaboration could lead to new applications in robotics, industrial automation and the development of future chips.
The need is also geopolitical in nature. Countries around the world are striving to control the entire digital supply chain — from raw materials and chips to networks and AI applications. Europe is lagging behind in this regard and is heavily dependent on foreign technology companies. A well-functioning tech corridor could make the Netherlands and Europe more resilient. Well-known international examples include the Route 128 corridor near Boston and the M4 Corridor in the United Kingdom.
The partnership between Amsterdam and Brainport is seen as an important starting point, with other Dutch regions also able to join in.
