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ICT

The world is changing at a rapid speed and new technologies emerge every single day. Artificial intelligence, blockchain, big data, drones: if you’d mentioned any of those words to someone twenty years ago, they would have looked at you like you were crazy. Now, it’s our new reality. To support the ongoing demand for innovation, the information and communication technologies (ICT) top sector have become vital to our society. Not only aiding to the consumers every need but also contributing to significant societal challenges.
Students fly with drones

The importance of the ICT sector

Changing healthcare, energy transition, (cyber) security, you name it. We’re facing many societal challenges in today’s world, and a lot of which would significantly benefit from the development of new technologies, sooner rather than later. Sometimes it can take years for a new technology to develop, let alone be applied in practice. Due to the importance of digital innovations, and the way they open up the possibilities for a new way of life and work, we support the industry as much as we can and always encourage new developments. The Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) has the potential to have a massive impact across all industries, not just their own.

 

Why the Netherlands

Known as  the digital gateway to Europe, many companies choose to set up shop in our nation. Our robust digital infrastructure is world-renowned and loved due to its ability to let others continuously work on new tech developments. We have a super mild climate, making the cooling of high-speed internet infrastructures a breeze. As a matter of fact, we’re the most connected country in the world when it comes to data and have been ranked first in the European Union for outstanding use of IT. Throw an open work culture, R&D incentives, and our government’s strong focus on tech development into the mix and it isn’t odd that 60% of Forbes 2000 IT companies chose to establish their operations with us. From startup to multinationals, you’ll find IT companies of all shapes and sizes within our borders. A few household names that chose the Netherlands to house their European headquarters include Microsoft, Google, NTT, and Oracle. And let’s not forget major tech companies that were founded in our country such as Booking.com , founded by a Dutch student in 1996, or Just Eat Takeaway , also founded by a student, back in 2000. Both small startups that started in dorm rooms are now widely known as massive operations,  employing thousands of people, nationally and internationally. Other companies that have been founded in The Netherlands and may sound familiar are Elastic , WeTransfer , Adyen , Picnic and Messagebird . Oh, and did you know that Bluetooth was invented in our country? 

 

People watching their mobile phones
Camilo Jimenez on Unsplash

Our digitalisation strategy

We wouldn't be the Dutch if we weren’t ambitious. We want the Netherlands to become the next digital leader of Europe. That’s why back in 2018, our government decided to launch the Dutch Digitalisation Strategy. A strategy carefully put together to invigorate our country’s ambition to accelerate digitalization throughout all sectors, so that we can become a true pioneer  in the field of digital innovation and a place where companies from all over the world can come to develop and test new applications. Another main goal is equipping our inhabitants with the digital skill set. Getting our country ready for the digital future ahead.