News item | 18-11-2022 | 2:30 pm
Accelerating digitization by SMEs, stimulating digital innovation and skills, creating the right preconditions for well-functioning online markets, maintaining and strengthening the digital infrastructure in the Netherlands and improving cyber security. These are the five ambitions in the cabinet strategy for the Digital Economy of Minister Adriaansens of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, which the Council of Ministers has approved. These ambitions should lead to, among other things, that every consumer and every company has access to the Internet with a speed of at least 1 Gigabit per second and that 95% of SMEs are committed to digitization.
Minister Adriaansens: “Digitization, together with sustainability, is the driving force behind our future jobs and income. That is why the government has set ambitious targets. The Netherlands now belongs to the world top, but standing still is going backwards. That is why we will invest in technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum, but also in a strong and reliable fixed and mobile infrastructure. And our ambitions also lead to a more active government commitment to education, cyber security and better functioning digital markets with sufficient competition and consumer protection.”
The ultimate goal of the government strategy is an enterprising, innovative, sustainable and safe digital economy in which everyone in the Netherlands can participate. The effort also contributes to reducing the unwanted dependence on third parties in the Netherlands and Europe. With the strategy, public interests are better defended and economic resilience is increased.
Accelerate digitization of SMEs
The government’s ambition is to be among the top three in Europe by 2030 in terms of the application of digital technologies by SMEs. This means that 95% of Dutch SMEs apply at least a basic level of digitization compared to 75% now.
In addition, the aim is also to increase the use of advanced digital technologies – such as the cloud, artificial intelligence and big data – within SMEs to at least 75% by 2030. To this end, the programs acceleration digitization for SMEs and smart industry have been set up and investments are being made ( 30 million euros) in five Dutch European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) in which entrepreneurs, researchers and governments work together regionally.
Stimulate digital innovation and skills
Digital technologies offer opportunities for economic growth. That is why the government will invest extra in innovation through, for example, quantum, artificial intelligence and applications that will use 5G and 6G communication technology. In addition, digital skills ensure a future-proof labor market. There is still a serious shortage of ICT and technical personnel. By focusing on retraining programs, supporting alternative forms of training and integrating digitization in education, such as with the National Education Lab AI, the government aims to have one million digitally trained people in 2030.
Create the right preconditions for well-functioning digital markets and services
Regulations in the digital economy will undergo major changes in the coming years. More than ten EU-wide laws have been in force since this year or are expected within the next three years. These regulations create the right preconditions for better functioning online markets and services, where consumers have freedom of choice and confidence, where companies compete on a level playing field and doing business in the Netherlands is attractive.
That is why the government is focusing on effective implementation, supervision and enforcement of European regulations and, where necessary, by intensively steering the right balance between regulation and innovation.
Maintain and strengthen digital infrastructure
The Dutch digital infrastructure (fixed and mobile networks, sea cables, Internet exchanges) ensures fast access almost everywhere and at all times, is safe and reliable. The government wants to keep it that way and expand it further. 91% of Dutch connections already have access to fast broadband internet (≥1 Gigabit per second) via cable or fiber optics. The aim is to achieve this everywhere before 2030, including at approximately 19,000 addresses in the so-called outlying areas. Where this is not done by the market, this calls for active government intervention with state aid or, in extreme cases, forcing parties to provide these services.
The cabinet also wants to achieve full coverage of 5G mobile internet in populated areas in the Netherlands. To this end, the most important auction of the necessary frequencies for 5G technology can take place in 2023.
Strengthen cybersecurity
Digital security should be a daily part of the entrepreneurship of small and large companies. Cyber incidents have consequences for their own processes, for their customers and sometimes even for larger parts of society if a company or production process comes to a standstill. The digital awareness of entrepreneurs can be improved, according to recent research by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy. Entrepreneurs themselves will remain responsible, but the government will support them more actively in this.
Specific information about cyber threats, vulnerabilities and incidents can soon be shared with individual companies. In addition to the so-called vital sectors, from mid-2024 large and medium-sized players in the food sector, chemical and manufacturing industry, waste processing, postal and courier services and data centers must take appropriate cyber measures and this will also be monitored. There are minimum requirements for the digital security of devices connected to the internet – the so-called Internet-of-Things (IoT). Products that do not comply with this will be banned everywhere in the EU from mid-2024.