By 2025, 180 investment projects by foreign companies will have been supported by the Invest in Holland network. For the first time, research and development (R&D) will be the largest category: 30% (53 of the 180 projects) had R&D as their primary activity. This demonstrates that the Netherlands, despite pressure on the business climate and a complex international context for foreign investment, remains attractive to companies that contribute to innovation and sustainable economic growth.
The Minister of Economic Affairs, also on behalf of the State Secretary for Foreign Trade and Development Aid, wrote this to the House of Representatives when presenting the annual results of the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) and the Invest in Holland network.
Minister of Economic Affairs, Vincent Karremans:
Especially in a challenging international investment climate, it's crucial that foreign companies choose the Netherlands for our strong ecosystems and innovative strength. The growth in the share of investments in research and development and other knowledge-intensive activities demonstrates that the focus on attracting projects with innovative activities is paying off.
Aukje de Vries, State Secretary for Foreign Trade and Development Aid:
Foreign companies are essential for a strong Dutch economy. By collaborating effectively, within our network of diplomatic missions, in The Hague, and with the Dutch regions through the Invest in Holland network, we ensure that investments land in the best possible location.
Knowledge and Innovation Agenda for Key Enabling Technologies (KIA ST) is also pleased with the results. The increase in the share of R&D in foreign investments confirms the international appeal of the Dutch high-tech ecosystem and the importance of focused efforts on key technologies for sustainable economic growth.
Peter Stolk, chair KIA ST and Holland High Tech:
The recently published report "Review 2025 – Results and Efforts of the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) and the Invest in Holland Network" clearly demonstrates the Netherlands' strengths. In 2025, 180 foreign investment projects were supported, and for the first time, research and development is the largest category: 30% (53 of the 180 projects) had R&D as their primary activity. This is precisely the kind of high-quality, knowledge-intensive growth the HTSM sector represents. It's fantastic that high-tech and key technologies have been contributing so visibly to this result for years, with investments that strengthen our ecosystems, such as a new R&D hub for the semiconductor industry at High Tech Campus Eindhoven by Dai Nippon Printing. This report underscores why R&D and investments in key technologies must continue unabated. Together with our ecosystem and partners, we will continue to work hard to accelerate innovation and earning capacity – and to strengthen Europe's strategic autonomy.
Focus on what the Netherlands needs
The 2025 results must be seen against the backdrop of a challenging business climate. Globally, companies are more cautious about investing due to geopolitical tensions and uncertainty in the global economy. In the Netherlands, bottlenecks such as scarcity of space, labor, and grid capacity also play a role.
Against this backdrop, attracting foreign investment has become increasingly demand-driven. This focus is not only on what the market wants, but also on what the Netherlands needs and where there is space and energy available. By making more targeted choices, the Invest in Holland network can focus on investments that align with the Netherlands' strategic priorities. In 2025, all 180 supported projects contributed to this.
Investments that strengthen ecosystems
The supported investments demonstrate how foreign companies are contributing to strengthening Dutch ecosystems. For example, the British-Swedish pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca expanded its production site in Nijmegen, strengthening the Dutch life sciences and health ecosystem. At the High Tech Campus Eindhoven, Japanese company Dai Nippon Printing opened its first R&D hub outside Japan, focusing on new technologies for the semiconductor industry. And in Rotterdam, Canadian climate tech company CoeusAI established its global headquarters, from where it is developing AI solutions to accelerate the energy transition.
In the coming years, the Invest in Holland network will continue to focus on investments with high added value for the Netherlands. This will be aligned with industrial and innovation policy, and with an eye for opportunities in sectors such as defense and raw materials.