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Queen Máxima launches new Regional Development Agency for South-Holland
Delft, December 12th 2013: This afternoon Lijm & Cultuur hosted the spectacular public presentation of the new Regional Development Agency for South-Holland. Her Majesty the Queen Máxima – featured in a hologram presentation - unveiled the new name: Innovation Quarter
Investment and Innovation in South-Holland
The mission of Innovation Quarter is to strengthen the competitiveness of South-Holland by supporting and financing innovative business. Opportunities for innovation are greatest in key sectors such as Clean Tech, Life Sciences & Health, Safety & Security, High Tech and HortiTech. Entrepreneurs in the region may apply for grants to a Participation Fund of € 28 million, as of early 2014.
South-Holland is the economic motor of the Netherlands, the region is known for combing the brilliance of the scientist, with the ingenuity of the technician, the commercial acumen of the industrialist, and the vision of the globetrotter. This part of the Netherlands is brimming with enterprises and creative activities, a fact that was firmly emphasised during today's event by the entrepreneurial panel consisting of Yuri van Geest, Bernd Damme and Eline Vrijland-van Beest.
“We will ensure that innovative businesses in South-Holland get plenty of opportunity for growth and development.”; said Rinke Zonneveld, director of Innovation Quarter, “We will do this by bringing together various companies and public organisations in order to stimulate cross-fertilisation. Our ambition is also to strengthen the position of South-Holland on the international map. That will give a boost to companies in their cross-border activities and attract innovative parties from elsewhere to the region. After all, the more parties who have South-Holland on their radar, the greater the dynamics within the region. And that's something we can all benefit from.”
The organisations Kennisalliantie and Science Port Holland will be integrated in Innovation Quarter, as of 1 January 2014 . An alliance will be formed with the WestHolland Foreign Investment Agency (WFIA) at a later stage . Close cooperation will get underway with regional cluster initiatives, including Clean Tech Delta, Medical Delta and The Hague Security Delta. All efforts are aimed at achieving the communal goal: Strengthening the innovative and competitive power of South-Holland.
Source Westholland