News item | 23-05-2025 | 16:30
An innovative, resilient industry is essential for the preservation of our prosperity and the competitiveness of the Netherlands. We achieve this together with entrepreneurs, knowledge institutions and European countries that also focus on this. That is why Dutch companies and Minister Beljaarts of Economic Affairs visit the Czech Republic on 4 and 5 June, during the state visit of his Majesty the King and Her Majesty Queen Máxima.
The Economic Program on 5 June under the leadership of Minister Beljaarts (Economic Affairs) is aimed at strengthening cooperation in industry, such as Smart Industry, Automotive and Defense. Minister Beljaarts speaks with his Czech official Lukáš Vlček (industry and trade) about strengthening and broadening the economic cooperation between the two countries.
Minister Beljaarts (Economic Affairs): “Due to increasing international tensions in the economy, it is increasingly important not to be too dependent on critical raw materials and industrial production from outside Europe. This requires investing more in innovation, technology and production, so that we are competitive and resilient. The Czech Republic, less than 1000 kilometers from us, wants to work together and offers opportunities for Dutch companies and our economy.“
Bringing together companies
Dutch companies find opportunities in the field of innovation and technology in the Czech Republic, for example in sectors that help develop the digital manufacturing industry. The economic program brings Dutch and Czech companies together, from SMEs to large companies, on the High Tech Campus Dolní Břežany.
To explore these opportunities for Dutch companies in the Czech Republic, Minister Beljaarts and the Czech Minister Vlček speak with Dutch CEOs and VNO-NCW. Subsequently, during a business forum, entrepreneurs talk about high-tech ecosystems and what is needed to develop such ecosystems in the Czech Republic. The cooperation between government, companies and knowledge institutions is also discussed. Subsequently, strategic sessions are discussed about promising sectors for cooperation: smart industry, sustainable mobility, social impact, energy transition and strategic autonomy, and innovation and circularity.
Minister Beljaarts guides King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima and Czech President Pavel in the conversation with CEOs, the Business Forum and the various strategic sessions. They also visit research facilities in the field of laser and biotechnology on campus.
Opportunities for industry
The Czech Republic is an important economic partner for the Netherlands in Central Europe and is structurally the tenth export market in the Netherlands. The country has a traditional manufacturing industry, which is now experiencing a digital and sustainable transition. Geopolitical changes are looking for more and more Dutch companies that still produce outside of Europe, within Europe for new possibilities. The Czech Republic is a promising place, relatively close to the Netherlands and with a skilled industry.