THE HAGUE, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Netherlands needs to invest between 151 billion euros (177 billion U.S. dollars) and 187 billion euros over the next decade in high-productivity sectors of its economy to secure future prosperity, according to a report released on Friday.
The advisory report, commissioned by the Dutch government in September, identified four technological domains in which the Netherlands could build and maintain strategic strength: digitization and artificial intelligence, life sciences and biotechnology, security and resilience, and energy and climate technology.
Released by Peter Wennink, adviser to the Dutch Council of Ministers, the report warned that major obstacles to achieving the required growth include slow and complex permitting procedures, a growing shortage of highly skilled workers, rising energy prices, and persistent nitrogen and power grid congestion issues. It also highlighted overdue maintenance of both physical and digital infrastructure.
To address these challenges, the report proposed appointing an independent implementation authority with the power to accelerate strategic projects, break inter-ministerial deadlocks, and strengthen public-private cooperation.
Wennink also recommended establishing a national investment bank with at least 100 billion euros in working capital, along with a national agency for breakthrough innovation with an annual budget of 2 billion euros, to ensure public funds are used more effectively to stimulate private investment. (1 euro = 1.17 U.S. dollar)
