On April 8, the first meeting of SemiconPoort—an initiative of High Tech NL and FGS Global—took place at Nieuwspoort in The Hague amid great interest. During this kick-off event, representatives from politics, the House of Representatives, national and regional government, and the Dutch semiconductor ecosystem came together to discuss the Netherlands’ strategic position in the semiconductor industry and the next steps following the publication of the Semicon Vision 2035.

Topics on the agenda included the rationale and background of SemiconPoort, the Dutch semiconductor landscape, investments in the sector, the question of what is needed to enable large-scale chip packaging in the Netherlands and Europe, and a panel discussion on the Semicon Vision 2035 and collaboration with the regions and the national government.

That overview made it clear just how broad the challenge is. The Netherlands has a strong semiconductor ecosystem, comprising companies, suppliers, research institutions, and talent. At the same time, international competition, geopolitical pressures, and dependencies within the value chain are on the rise. As a result, it is by no means a given that the Netherlands will maintain its strong position. That is precisely why structural coordination between politics, government, and the ecosystem is necessary. SemiconPoort has proven to be an effective platform for this purpose.

A key theme throughout the meeting was the Semicon Vision 2035, which was submitted to the House of Representatives on April 1. This vision serves as the basis for an implementation program for the Dutch semiconductor industry and identifies six strategic priorities: international cooperation, innovation, venture development and capital, economic resilience, talent, and enabling conditions. In addition, the vision specifically identifies opportunities for the Netherlands, including in materials & equipment, chip design, advanced packaging, high-mix production, and integrated photonics, as well as new growth markets such as AI, 6G, quantum computing, automotive, and robotics.

The transition from vision to implementation was also a recurring theme. The documents related to SemiconPoort call for continuity and predictability in policy and investments, including those related to the Growth Fund, IPCEI, the Innovation Box, and the expat scheme. The goal is to develop an implementation agenda by the summer that includes clear actions, ownership, and resources.

For High Tech NL, this first meeting underscores the value of SemiconPoort as a permanent platform. By bringing together politicians, government officials, and the ecosystem, it creates opportunities for greater understanding, targeted policy decisions, and a shared agenda for the future of the Dutch semiconductor sector.

Would you like to discuss this topic further or contribute to the joint agenda for the semiconductor industry in the Netherlands? If so, please contact us.