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The Digital Gateway to Europe:

the Netherlands is a Digital
Leader

As Europe’s most wired country, the

Netherlands is one the best countries for
tech companies. Businesses that invest in
the Netherlands’ technology and IT sector
thrive, thanks to the tech-savvy,
multilingual Dutch workforce, the great
digital infrastructure, an innovative and
open culture, R&D incentives and the
strong focus of the Dutch government on
developments in tech. As consumers, the
Dutch are digital frontrunners who lead the
way in embracing new digital applications.

The Netherlands’ technological

environment is anchored by a robust digital
infrastructure. The Dutch rank No. 2 in the
world for online connectivity, with 98% of
households having broadband connection.
The Netherlands is also home to the
Amsterdam Internet Exchange (AMS-IX),
one of the world’s leading digital data
distributors. This advanced network allows
companies to stay digitally connected and
reshape the future. It also powers work-
from-home connections which encourages
a healthy and flexible work-life balance.

IT leaders choose the

Netherlands
From startups to multinationals, IT
companies of all sizes tap into the
Netherlands’ technological environment.
Tech companies from around the world find
success across different activities and
locations in the Dutch IT industry. Major
players like IBM, Microsoft, Google, NTT,
and Oracle chose the Netherlands for their
European headquarters, customer service
centers, R&D facilities and more.

Artificial intelligence
The Dutch recognize that AI, fueled by big
data, is a key driver of opportunity in the
21st century. In 2019, the Dutch
government launched the Strategic Action
Plan for AI. The plan introduced three
pillars to: capitalize on the societal and
economic opportunities of AI, advance AI
knowledge through R&D and human
capital and safeguard the public interest by
establishing ethical guidelines in AI.
Additionally, the NL AI Coalition unites
government, industry, knowledge
institutions and civil society to accelerate AI
developments in the Netherlands.
Companies active in AI, such as ABB,
Brain Corp and Wonderkind are putting
down roots in the Netherlands’ technology-
driven economy as their testing ground in
this quickly growing industry.

Cyber security
Fulfilling its role as a global beacon of
peace and justice, the Netherlands is a
leading cybersecurity hub in Europe. The
Dutch central information hub and center of
expertise for cyber security is the National
Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). The NCSC
encourages cooperation between the
government and businesses to enhance
the digital resilience of the Dutch society.
Attracted by this strong ecosystem and by
the excellent digital infrastructure, many
international security agencies like Europol
and NATO established their operations
here.

The Netherlands is also home to Europe’s

largest security cluster, The Hague
Security Delta (HSD). HSD is a national
network of more than 300 public and
private organizations working together to
accelerate cybersecurity solutions. Drawn
to this network, cybersecurity companies
like FOX IT, Thales and Palo Alto invest in
the Netherlands’ technological
environment.

Crossovers in every sector

Collaboration is at the heart of the
Netherlands’. The intersections between
tech and other industries are a result of
this. For example, smart farming and
agtech are making the Dutch agrifood
sector more sustainable. On the creative
side, the Dutch gaming industry leads in
simulation and ‘serious’ gaming – digital
games designed for acquiring specialized
skills or knowledge. Medtech and eHealth
have become critical subsectors of the
Dutch life sciences and health industry.
Technology also supports the Netherlands’
chemicals clusters and high-tech sector in
their efforts to build a sustainable, circular
economy.

Dutch Digitalization Strategy

In 2018, the Dutch government launched
the Dutch Digitalization Strategy. The
strategy takes a two-pronged approach of
accelerating digitalization in sectors like
healthcare, mobility energy and agrifood,
and strengthening the foundation of
digitalization in cybersecurity, privacy,
digital skills and fair competition. And
equipping everyone in the Netherlands with
the right digital skills is one of the key
principles underlying the Dutch
Digitalization Strategy is boosting the
Netherlands ambition to become Europe’s
digital leader.

FIND OUT MORE

Dutch Datacenter Association

The Hague Security Delta

TNO Cyber Security Lab

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NFIA Holland 1 day ago

@nfiaholland

As recently reported in the @washingtonpost,

the Netherlands is a leader in developing
technology for #sustainable and
#VerticalFarming to become a major food
exporter. Listen to @Marketplace discuss
further below. #InvestInHolland
https://t.co/P6qo6jL7ZC

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