News item | 13-12-2023 | 5:05 PM
The Netherlands and South Korea have agreed to collaborate more on the further development of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), mobile communication applications (5G and 6G), quantum and digitalization of the manufacturing industry (smart industry). Minister Micky Adriaansens (Economic Affairs and Climate) signed this agreement during the state visit of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol to the Netherlands.
The agreement should enable more cooperation between Dutch and South Korean companies, knowledge institutions and governments in the field of digitalization. In this way, both countries can remain at the forefront in economic and scientific areas. The Netherlands is one of the most important trading partners in the EU for South Korea. Conversely, the Asian country is at the top worldwide in terms of public and private investments in research and development with 4.5% of gross domestic product.
Minister Micky Adriaansens (Economic Affairs and Climate): “The highly innovative character of South Korea makes it interesting to collaborate more in areas where there is shared strength. Such as with digital technologies. After all, they have an increasingly greater influence on society and the economy. That is about how we communicate, live and of course also about all our jobs and income. And by working together, our innovative startups, SMEs and large companies have more economic opportunities and can keep up with all the rapid developments worldwide.”
In the presence of King Willem-Alexander and President Yoon, Minister Adriaansens (EZK) and her South Korean counterpart Ahn Duk-geun (Trade, Industry and Energy) took part in a large business meeting in Amsterdam with participants from both countries on themes such as sustainability & innovation, energy transition and semiconductors.
The government has agreed with South Korea that, in addition to digital technologies, it will also cooperate in areas such as nuclear energy, carbon-free energy and also to stimulate knowledge exchange in the field of semiconductors. The Netherlands leads in technology for semiconductor production machines, while chip production itself is one of the most important economic activities in South Korea. The country has the largest global market share after the United States.