News item | 10-12-2024 | 09:30
“Entrepreneurs spend too much time, money and energy on regulatory pressure. Something really needs to be done about this. That is why this government is working on easing the mandatory registration of commuting traffic. We also simplify compliance with ARBO rules, the reintegration of sick employees and the GDPR.” This is what Minister Beljaarts of Economic Affairs said today at the first Entrepreneurs Summit. About 230 entrepreneurs, company representatives and policymakers met in Eindhoven to discuss the challenges and opportunities for the Dutch business environment. This meeting was the starting point for the creation of the Business Climate Pact, with which the government is working with entrepreneurs to build a strong economic foundation for the future.
During the Entrepreneurs Summit, themes were discussed that are of great importance to the Dutch business community. The meeting provided a platform not only to express concerns, but also to share ideas and solutions. “It is essential that we work with entrepreneurs to see how we can remove obstacles and seize opportunities,” said Minister Beljaarts. “I want to do that by listening and starting a conversation. Not by thinking up how everything should be done from The Hague.”
Points of attention for entrepreneurs
In sub-sessions, entrepreneurs indicated what they encounter in practice, such as the shortage on the labor market. According to the participants, this requires labor-saving technologies, closer cooperation with educational institutions and better use of unused labor potential. Moreover, entrepreneurs emphasized that working (more) must pay off. Entrepreneurs also struggle with increasing regulatory pressure, high costs and complexity due to the laws they have to comply with, which hinders their productivity growth. They also need long-term policy and harmonization of European rules, without national heads. In addition, entrepreneurs expressed their concerns about the full power grid. This hinders sustainability and business expansion. According to entrepreneurs, more efficient use of grid capacity and cooperation between government and business are indispensable to tackling this problem.
Concrete steps towards the Business Climate Pact
The insights gathered during the Summit form an important building block for the Business Climate Pact, an action plan in which the government will determine concrete measures together with the business community. “We have received valuable input about the bottlenecks, but also inspiring examples of entrepreneurs who see and seize opportunities. These contributions help us to create a solid and future-oriented business environment,” said Minister Beljaarts during the plenary closing.
Follow-up process
The Entrepreneurs Summit is the first in a series of activities aimed at strengthening the business climate in the Netherlands. Entrepreneurs rated this at a six at the beginning of 2024, according to the Business Climate Monitor. The government will further develop the Pact together with entrepreneurs, policymakers and other stakeholders. Vivienne van Eijkelenborg has been appointed as a scout for this purpose. She will play an important role in this with her knowledge and experience as an entrepreneur and director. The aim is to adopt the pact before the summer of 2025.