Core Viewpoint - The Netherlands plays a crucial role in the global semiconductor industry, with 85% of chips designed, developed, and produced using Dutch semiconductor equipment, highlighting its leadership in this sector [2][4]. Group 1: The Role of the Netherlands - The Netherlands has a significant semiconductor ecosystem with an annual revenue of nearly €30 billion and approximately 60,000 employees [4]. - Key areas of expertise in the Netherlands include chip machine manufacturing, chip design, and packaging, with companies like NXP leading in automotive, security, and connectivity semiconductors [4]. - The collaboration between industry, knowledge institutions, and government is a key factor in the Netherlands' success, fostering innovation across different disciplines [4][5]. Group 2: Investment and Innovation - The Dutch government and private sector have invested €46 million in semiconductor-related projects since 2021, supporting public-private partnerships [5]. - The establishment of the Dutch Semiconductor Board aims to create a joint agenda for the semiconductor industry until 2035, involving major companies and government collaboration [5]. Group 3: European Semiconductor Landscape - The formation of the European Semiconductor Alliance by nine countries, including the Netherlands, aims to enhance Europe's position in the global semiconductor value chain [7]. - Europe's share of global chip sales has drastically decreased from one-third to less than 10%, attributed to insufficient investment in new technologies [7]. - The need for Europe to invest in its semiconductor industry is emphasized due to the critical shortage of raw materials and the importance of maintaining technological autonomy [7]. Group 4: Domestic Challenges - The Netherlands invests 2.23% of its GDP in innovation, which is lower than neighboring countries like Germany, Belgium, and Sweden [8]. - ASML plans to invest €4.3 billion in R&D in 2024, representing about 15% of its total revenue, underscoring the importance of continuous innovation for maintaining competitiveness [8]. - Practical challenges such as nitrogen emission regulations and physical space for semiconductor companies need to be addressed to foster growth in this sector [8].