On Wednesday 3 September, the committee debate on the semiconductor industry took place in the House of Representatives. The debate, which was originally scheduled for June, was already important because of the sector’s strategic significance, but carries additional weight in the run-up to the elections. As a thought partner – and member of the Semicon Board – Holland High Tech follows developments in this dossier closely.
The debate can be rewatched via Debat Direct. All submitted documents have also been published on the website of the House of Representatives.
Participants in the debate included: Inge van Dijk (CDA), C. Martens-America (VVD), W.L. Postma (NSC), J. Thijssen (GroenLinks-PvdA) and H. Vermeer (BBB). Outgoing Minister of Economic Affairs Karremans was present on behalf of the government.
Content of the debate
The topics discussed included investments in the business climate of the microchip sector, the National Strengthening Plan for Microchip Talent, and progress in international cooperation within the so-called Coalition of the Willing. The debate also addressed the expansion of the talent plan with a focus on Lifelong Learning, ensuring that reskilling and continuous development within the sector are structurally supported.
Finally, the position of the semiconductor industry in a changing geopolitical environment was discussed, with attention to strategic autonomy and international dependencies, and Minister Karremans elaborated on the current state of semiconductor policy.
Commitments from the Minister
Minister Karremans pledged that technical education aspects will explicitly be included in future reports to Parliament, and that the sector agenda of the Semicon Board will be submitted to Parliament this autumn. The latter will form highly important input for determining the next steps.