Ministry of Economic Affairs

Week of Regional Entrepreneurship - Ministry of Economic Affairs 

From 14 August to 22 August, the gong ceremony at Beursplein 5 focuses on the activity and entrepreneurship in the various regions in the Netherlands. Euronext has invited the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Regional Development Companies to put their work in the spotlight during the Week of Regional Entrepreneurship.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs, along with regional governments (mostly provinces), is a shareholder of five RDCs (NOM, Oost NV, LIOF, BOM and IQ). The RDCs connect national innovation and top sector policy to regional economic policy, and in doing so are important for the services to innovative SMEs. Through their venture capital companies RDCs support and finance innovations of SMEs and contribute to the economic growth and employment of the region. Pieter Waasdorp, director of entrepreneurship, sounds the gong in the presence of colleagues, all of whom are concerned with the RDCs.

Pieter Waasdorp: "The Ministry of Economic Affairs supports and encourages entrepreneurship in the Netherlands in different ways. For example, by improving access to finance for SMEs, by providing information and by issuing guarantees such as the BMKB and the GO to companies. In addition, we encourage the start-up and growth of companies and help companies to new forms of funding. We do this together with partners like the Regional Development Companies, but also with Startup Delta and the Chamber of Commerce. "

René van Vlerken, Head Small & Mid Cap Listings at Euronext Amsterdam: ''The Regional development companies are extremely important for the growth of the Dutch economy and accelerating innovation.'' Entrepreneurship and the exchange go hand in hand, for over 400 years. Euronext plays an important role in the financing of the real economy. "With initiatives like Euronext Growth and our exclusive TechShare program, we support medium and small businesses in their growth, we provide access to finance, help in promoting the organization, and  increase its visibility."

For more information:  www.rijksoverheid.nl

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