Governor Hobbs Signs MOU To Strengthen Semiconductor Collaboration With The Netherlands
PHOENIX, AZ (January 6, 2025) — Today, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs and Netherlands Minister of Economic Affairs Dirk Beljaarts signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during a signing ceremony held today in Phoenix, Arizona. The MOU further cements the strong relationship between Arizona and the Netherlands and creates new opportunities to collaborate on economic development and research and workforce strategies, with a focus on the semiconductor industry.
Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority in addition to distinguished guests Tjerk Opmeer, Director-General of Business and Innovation with the Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs; Theo Peters, Consul General of the Netherlands in San Francisco; Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, and local industry, government and academic leaders witnessed the MOU signing ceremony.
Additionally, Minister Beljaarts announced the opening of the Netherlands Business Support Office in Phoenix, which will expand economic, trade, and foreign direct investment opportunities between Arizona and the Netherlands.
Phoenix Business Journal
January 7, 2025
In 2023, the Netherlands was Arizona's third largest export market with more than $1.7 billion worth of goods exported to the Netherlands. Arizona also has a trade office in Germany that supports other European countries including the Netherlands.
"The signing of this MOU will formalize our commitment to working together and will be a stepping stone to expanding our international presence," Gov. Katie Hobbs said on Jan. 6. "It will foster collaboration and exchange of ideas and set up a clear pathway for future partnerships and opportunities."
It also builds on the recent Arizona delegation of business, academic and community leaders that traveled to the Netherlands and Flanders in 2024. They met with companies in semiconductors, aerospace and defense and med-tech and also visited some of Europe's most advanced tech campuses.
A delegation from the Netherlands visited Arizona in 2023. During that visit, Dutch semiconductor firm ASM announced its plans for a $400 million headquarters and research facility in Scottsdale. The company had established its Arizona presence in 1976.
"Today Arizona is home to ASM's largest global research and development facility, which plays a critical role in the semiconductor value chain," Beljaarts said.
He said the Netherlands and Arizona have similar stories and that the state has "harnessed its immense potential and transformed it into remarkable growth."
"This isn't just about business, it's about preparing us for the future. By working together we'll ensure that both Arizona and the Netherlands remain global leaders in technology and innovation," Beljaarts said.
The Netherlands is one of several countries that Arizona officials have visited and partnered with in recent years to bolster the state's semiconductor efforts.
The state has led multiple delegations to other places such as Taiwan, Japan and South Korea to meet with some of the world's biggest companies in semiconductors, battery manufacturing and more.
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