‘We have been naive for a long time’
Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Micky Adriaansens wants to create a good business climate for industrial companies, she says in conversation with WNL Haagse Lobby. According to her, this is not only the setting of the tax rules, but in particular also carried out on education and infrastructure. This is where the government’s processing role lies, says Adriaansens, with regard to Dutch industrial policy.
Professor Sweder van Wijnbergen, present in the broadcast, is skeptical about an “interfering government”. “You see that the government then takes an immediate step. For example, they want to have chip production here, and start by giving money to a company that doesn’t make chips at all: ASML. That company makes machines for people who make chips, says Van Wijnbergen. ”Furthermore, ASML is about the last company in the world that needs subsidies!”
Climate transition
CDA MEP Tom Berendsen nuances: ”I don’t think the government should start looking for the right companies in the market. But the government does have a role in safeguarding public interests . That starts in this case, Berendsen continues, a climate transition in which companies are helped, and the reduction of dependence on other parts of the world when it comes to essential products. In short: ”Investing in ecosystems.”
But also in the climate transition of companies, choices are made by the government, Van Wijnbergen. “The government does not provide adequate pricing for CO2 emissions. We will then give companies money to still donate to the climate. Then set those incentives right right away!”
Dot on the horizon
Berendsen is also very critical of the attitude of the Dutch government towards industry. “Our country is lagging far behind in industrial policy.” We have been naive for a long time, he says.
“Other countries are thinking very strategically about a dot on the horizon. While we are often busy with the next elections.” What we need more in our industrial policy, according to Berendsen, is thinking about the long term.
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Door: Wessel Wierda
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