Dutch chip companies call on Cabinet to invest up to €150 million in the chip sector

Dutch chip companies call on the Dutch government to invest 100 million to 150 million euros in the chip sector every year. "The Netherlands has a unique position as a small country with a strong chip sector. It would be a shame if we did not allow it to grow further," said financial director Paul Verhagen of chip company ASML from Almere to BNR Nieuwsradio.

His company proposed it together with several other chip companies, including ASML and NXP. They refer to the European chip regulation. The European Union previously agreed to invest more in digital and green transitions to strengthen Europe's technological leadership alongside leading countries such as the US, Verhagen told BNR Nieuwsradio.

According to Verhagen, every country, including the Netherlands, should contribute to this change and the chip regulation.

"Round four of the National Growth Fund was actually intended for this, but it was canceled," Verhagen told the radio station. But the chip sector does not want to leave it at that, hence the appeal. "We still want to continue the initiative. The Netherlands has a unique position as a small country with a strong chip sector."

Chip manufacturer ASML previously warned that the company wanted to expand but that the Netherlands might become too small for ASML. That plea was heard in The Hague. Earlier this year, it was announced that together with the Eindhoven region, 2.5 billion euros would be invested in improving the business climate for the microchip sector.