The Dutch government announced on Thursday that it would invest 2.5 billion euros in the Eindhoven area as part of “Operation Beethoven”: a plan to persuade ASML, the largest company in the Netherlands and Europe’s largest technology company, not to outsource production, Reuters reported.

Miki Adriansens, the Dutch economy minister, told reporters that the investment was part of a larger plan the government called “Operation Beethoven” and that the funds would be used to improve Eindhoven’s housing, education, transport and power grid.

The government, led by Prime Minister Mark Rutte, also said in a press release that it intends to take a series of measures aimed at easing the tax burden placed on companies, after the Dutch business community loudly complained about the level of taxation in in the Netherlands. last period

Although the Dutch government did not go into detail about the measures to be taken, the statement said that “by taking these measures, the Cabinet assumes that ASML will continue to invest and maintain its legal, fiscal and operational headquarters in the Netherlands “.

The tech company condemned the lack of investment in Eindhoven

ASML, a company that manufactures the equipment needed to manufacture semiconductors, is the largest technology company in Europe. It is located in Veldhoven, a suburb of Eindhoven in the south of the Netherlands.

The company shocked Rutte’s government after ASML chief executive Peter Vennink this month joined a chorus of companies in the Netherlands complaining about government policies, including the government’s intention to scrap tax breaks for skilled migrants.

ASML also said the government was not investing adequately in the infrastructure of Eindhoven, a booming technology hub, and criticized the road infrastructure, the state of the power grid and housing here.

A Reuters survey this month of technology companies in the Netherlands found that more than 10 were considering moving their operations outside the country.

The Dutch business environment is increasingly dissatisfied

Many companies have complained that since the last parliamentary election, in which the populist party led by Geert Wilders won last November, the legislature is passing more and more laws without analyzing their long-term impact.

In addition to anti-immigration measures, companies are unhappy about a new tax on share buybacks and a cap on investment deductions. The business community also complains about the too unpredictable state policy.

Giants Shell and Unilever have already moved their headquarters to London after the Dutch government was forced to renege on a promise to abolish dividend tax in 2018.

Although Mark Rutte is acting prime minister, his government has now stepped in as Dutch parties have failed to agree on a governing coalition.

On March 13, Geert Wilders announced that he was giving up his claim to the position of prime minister in order to advance the negotiations. However, so far the deadlock continues.