Eindhoven’s economy has been booming for years. Nevertheless, companies and regional municipalities in this The high-tech region are preparing themselves for economic adversity.
“You have to make hay while the sun shines”, Councillor for Economic Affairs, Stijn Steenbakkers, says. Together with Brainport Development Director, Paul van Nunen, he emphasises the importance of proper preparation for economically difficult times.
Councils and employers in the region will be keeping this in mind in the coming period. “Think, for example, of the part-time unemployment benefit. Companies in the region benefited from this during the last crisis. As a result, they sometimes did not have to lay off people they would need again after the crisis”, Paul van Nunen says.
No immediate danger
There is no immediate reason for this kind of thinking. The Eindhoven region is still doing very well economically. Steenbakkers: “At first, economic growth was almost five per cent. Now it is a little lower, but still about three per cent. Still, that can change just like that. There is also uncertainty. About the trade war between China and the United States and the upcoming Brexit”.
Companies in the region are particularly quick to notice when things are not going well economically. “High-tech companies pick up on these signals early. Then we have to be prepared”, Steenbakkers says.
Regional deal
On Tuesday evening, Brainport Development presented new figures about the investments that have so far been promised. These are to be used to improve the region’s business climate. In the regional deal, the national government and regional parties together pledged EUR370 million. This must be spent on enhancing sports and cultural facilities and attracting more technical talent, among other things.
Meanwhile, EUR232 million of this has now been pledged. This money will be used for, for example, promising innovations and scientific research, the De Tongelreep swimming pool, a design museum or an Urban Sports Park.
Source: www.studio040.nl
Translator: Bob
Editor: Melinda Walraven
