Aerospace Industry in South Holland Joins Forces to Capitalize on Growth

Kenmerk PRESS RELEASE

IQ201 Aerospace industry in South Holland joins forces

to capitalize on growth opportunities RELEASE PRESS

The Hague, June 2, 2016 - Wednesday, June 1, during the Innovation Award

Drechtsteden event in Dordrecht, The Netherlands, Vice President of Fokker 3

Technologies Steven Soederhuizen presented a copy of Flying High, Aero-Space Agenda Zuid-Holland 2016-2025, to Jaap Smit, the Commissioner of the King. The Agenda is an initiative of the aerospace industry in the province of South Holland and the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) to strengthen their unique worldwide combination of expertise in the fields of aircraft, drones, satellites and airports, and to bring them more in line with the European Clean Sky 2 programme. During the event, the Province of Zuid-Holland signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Joint Undertaking Clean Sky, which is the public private partnership between the European Commission and the European aeronautics industry.

Aero-Space Agenda Auteur The Aero-Space Agenda Zuid-Holland is an initiative of the regional aerospace industry and the TU Delft. Its purpose is to demonstrate that South Holland has an J.K. exceptional combination of knowledge and expertise in the fields of design and construction of aircraft, UAVs (drones) and satellites, and the development of airports, and that this expertise is recognized worldwide. By collaborating more intensively in joint programmes, global growth opportunities in these sectors can be realized. Projections show that there are many opportunities in the growing sectors of aviation, airport expansion, and the construction of satellites and drones, and that the South Holland industry is strongly represented in these sectors.

Investing in aerospace necessary A public-private investment totalling €75 million for the development and production of new, sustainable materials, structures and systems is needed over the coming years to gain maximum benefit from growth opportunities. These investments will come mainly from industry and research institutions, but public investments will also be needed. In order to compete in the global market, it is important to develop new, innovative products, but this is not sufficient. South Holland aerospace companies are focusing on investing in smart industry solutions, to increase production quality and speed, and thereby reduce costs.

Strengthening the South Holland aerospace ecosystem The implementation of the Agenda contributes to the further strengthening of the international position of the South Holland aerospace ecosystem. The Province is aiming to become the driving force for the aerospace industry in The Netherlands, which leads to more business and jobs.

Kenmerk It is expected that private investments in these growth sectors could leverage an increase of 2,000 jobs in the region. The innovations contribute to cleaner and

quieter aircraft, less expensive launch structures, new satellites, and smarter drones. IQ201

Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation RELEASE PRESS The signed MoU increases the probability that the aeronautics sector can obtain EU funding through the Clean Sky 2 Programme. This programme is carried out as part of the Horizon 2020 EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. The

programme is aimed at developing new technologies that will strengthen the global 2

3 competitiveness and sustainability of the European aeronautics industry. It is the largest aeronautical research programme established at the European level.

Note to editors

Photo 1: Jaap Smit (Commissioner of the King) receives a copy of the Flying High, Aero-Space Agenda Zuid-Holland from Steven Soederhuizen (Fokker Technologies)

Photo 2: Jaap Smit (Commissioner of the King) receives a copy of the Flying Auteur High, Aero-Space Agenda Zuid-Holland from Steven Soederhuizen

(Fokker Technologies) J.K.

Photo 3: Jaap Smit (Commissioner of the King), Steven Soederhuizen (Fokker Technologies), Elizabeth Gavin and Bruno Mastantuono (Joint Undertaking Clean Sky)

Photo 4: Jaap Smit (Commissioner of the King) and Elizabeth Gavin (Joint Undertaking Clean Sky)

Photography: © Daniel Verkijk

For more information about this topic, please contact:

InnovationQuarter Bert Klarus Business Developer +31 6 18 83 03 43 [email protected] www.innovationquarter.nl Twitter: @InnoQuarter

Kenmerk  The Aero-Space Agenda can be viewed online by downloading it at https://issuu.com/innovationquarter/docs/aero-space-agenda-zuid-holland-

2016/1. IQ201

 A hard copy of the Aero-Space Agenda can also be requested by sending an email RELEASE PRESS to: [email protected].

About InnovationQuarter 3

InnovationQuarter is the regional development agency for the province of South Holland. InnovationQuarter finances innovative and fast-growing companies, assists international companies in establishing their businesses in South Holland, and facilitates (international) collaboration between innovative entrepreneurs, knowledge institutes and government. In this way, and in cooperation with the business community, InnovationQuarter supports the development of South Holland to become one of the most innovative regions in Europe.

The InnovationQuarter investment fund - which currently consists of € 58 million - offers venture capital to young technology companies and SMEs with growth plans in

the region to bring new innovations to market. Through the fund, InnovationQuarter Auteur can raise the regional economy to a higher level.

J.K.

InnovationQuarter is an initiative of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Province of South Holland, the Cities of Rotterdam, The Hague, Leiden, Delft, Drechtsteden, Westland and Zoetermeer, Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), Leiden University, the Leiden University Medical Center and Erasmus Medical Centre and Foundation HEID (Holding Fund for Economic Investment The Hague).