A large majority of Dutch people (75 per cent) consider the high-tech sector to be important or very important for the Netherlands. They regard the sector as particularly valuable because of its contribution to future prosperity, economic growth and technological independence.
Nevertheless, almost half of the Dutch population (49 per cent) cannot name a single high-tech company off the top of their head. Those who can do so mainly mention ASML and Philips, followed by international names such as Apple, Samsung and Google. This is according to research by Markteffect, commissioned by NXTGEN Hightech.
In addition, 65 per cent say they have not heard, seen or read anything about the Dutch high-tech sector recently, and only a quarter (25 per cent) feel that they are well informed about developments in the sector.
The survey also shows that Dutch people who are better informed are more likely to recognise the sector’s importance. Of those Dutch people who have professional dealings with the sector, 57 per cent feel well-informed; amongst those with no such connection, the figure is 15 per cent. These same groups differ significantly in their views: 93 per cent compared with 71 per cent consider the sector important for the Netherlands, and 78 per cent compared with 37 per cent are proud of the Netherlands’ contribution to the high-tech industry.
Innovation policy
This limited visibility is striking given that high-tech plays a major role in the Dutch economy and is increasingly a feature of discussions on earning capacity, strategic autonomy and public investment in innovation.
For instance, the Wennink report warned at the end of last year that, by 2035, the Netherlands would need to invest an additional 151 to 187 billion euros in order to remain economically competitive and keep public services affordable. On Prinsjesdag, the government will once again make decisions regarding such investments.
According to the survey, there is broad support for these choices. Seven out of ten Dutch people (70 per cent) believe that, without high-tech, the Netherlands would become dependent on technology from other countries, and half (51 per cent) believe that the government should do more to strengthen the sector, including through the use of taxpayers’ money.
The high-tech sector includes, amongst others, the sectors relating to semiconductor equipment, medical technology, energy, defence and advanced machine systems. The sector is considered the country’s largest net exporter and accounts for approximately six per cent of the Netherlands’ GDP.
Challenges facing the sector
According to De Jong, who, in addition to his role on the board of NXTGEN Hightech, is also managing director at TNO, the research shows above all that public support for high-tech is greater than is often thought.
"From faster hospital diagnoses to eavesdropping-proof communication: our future depends on technology that remains invisible to most people. The sector must therefore step out of the shadows. Without sufficient public support for innovation, the Netherlands is putting its future competitiveness and independence at risk.”
