The Netherlands Digital Economy Strategy outlines how the government is seeking to transform the Netherlands into a leading digital economy by 2030. The strategy is built around five core pillars designed to drive innovation, strengthen digital capabilities, and ensure sustainable growth across all sectors.
Each of the five pillars has clear objectives, targets, and strategic actions to achieve the outcome of the pillar. This includes:
1. Accelerating digitalisation of SMEs
Objective: The primary focus is to enable SMEs, which form the backbone of the economy, to embrace digital technologies and enhance their operational efficiency.
Targets:
By 2030, 95% of SMEs are expected to achieve a basic level of digitalisation.
Encourage widespread adoption of advanced digital tools such as AI, cloud computing, big data, and cybersecurity solutions.
Strategic Actions:
Providing financial incentives and support programs to assist SMEs in adopting these technologies.
Creating regional digital hubs and support centers to offer SMEs guidance, training, and expertise.
Encouraging collaboration between SMEs and technology providers to accelerate innovation and knowledge transfer.
2. Promoting digital innovation and skills development
Objective: The strategy aims to build a digitally skilled workforce that can meet future demands while fostering innovation across industries.
Targets:
Train one million individuals in digital skills by 2030, addressing the growing need for expertise in AI, quantum computing, blockchain, and more.
Support the development of digital skills in education by integrating advanced digital literacy in curricula from primary to higher education.
Strategic Actions:
Facilitating public-private partnerships that drive research and development (R&D) in emerging technologies.
Offering reskilling and upskilling programs for workers at risk of job displacement due to automation.
Establishing digital academies and online platforms to provide accessible learning resources for all citizens.
3. Creating well-functioning digital markets and services
Objective: The strategy focuses on building competitive, transparent, and consumer-friendly digital markets, ensuring fair practices and innovation-friendly environments.
Targets:
Implement European digital regulations that support a level playing field and protect consumer rights.
Foster digital platforms that prioritize user choice, fair competition, and data protection.
Strategic Actions:
Ensuring the enforcement of Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA) to regulate large digital platforms.
Strengthening the regulatory framework to ensure fair competition, prevent monopolistic practices, and protect consumers from misinformation and unsafe products.
Supporting innovation in digital financial services, including fintech and e-commerce platforms.
4. Ensuring digital security and trust
Objective: To create a safe and secure digital environment where businesses and consumers can operate with confidence.
Targets:
Strengthen cybersecurity measures across all sectors, with a focus on critical infrastructure, public services, and private enterprises.
Enhance public trust by ensuring robust data protection and privacy standards.
Strategic Actions:
Expanding the National Cybersecurity Centre’s (NCSC) capabilities to provide better threat intelligence and incident response services.
Implementing stricter data governance frameworks that align with GDPR and ensure transparency in data usage.
Launching awareness campaigns to educate the public on digital risks, online safety practices, and personal data protection.
5. Strengthening digital infrastructure and connectivity
Objective: Develop world-class digital infrastructure to support the growing demands of a data-driven economy.
Targets:
Achieve 100% nationwide access to high-speed internet (1 Gbps) by 2030, including in rural and underserved areas.
Expand the deployment of 5G networks to cover all regions and support the development of future technologies like autonomous systems and smart cities.
Strategic Actions:
Investing in the expansion and modernization of fiber optic networks and next-generation mobile networks.
Promoting public and private investments in digital infrastructure projects, ensuring they are future-proof and scalable.
Supporting cross-border collaborations for pan-European digital networks and data infrastructure, aligning with the European Digital Decade goals.
Cross-cutting themes and governance
The strategy also highlights key cross-cutting themes such as sustainability, inclusiveness, and international cooperation. It emphasizes the need for digital solutions that are environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive.
Effective governance and collaboration between government, industry, and civil society are identified as crucial for implementing the strategy. The strategy sets up dedicated monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track progress and adapt to emerging trends and challenges.
Conclusion
The Netherlands’ Digital Economy Strategy aims to position the country as a global leader in digital innovation, skills development, and economic resilience. By focusing on inclusive growth, robust digital infrastructure, and secure digital environments, the strategy provides a roadmap for achieving sustainable digital transformation by 2030.
Reference
file:///C:/Users/P%20W/Downloads/Digital+Economy+Strategy.pdf
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