More and More Foreign Companies Discover Brabant's High-Tech Environment

TILBURG, The Netherlands, March 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- Brabant and BOM Reinforce Strong International Position

As a result of the region's growing high-tech reputation, more and more foreign companies choose Brabant as a base for their R&D operations. For the first time the greatest interest from abroad is geared towards establishing a Research & Development Center in Brabant, primarily companies in electronics, medical technology, solar and semi-conductors. This has emerged from preliminary figures for 2010 released by BOM Foreign Investments.

Twenty percent of all BOM's contacts with foreign companies in 2010 regarding potential business locations involved the R&D sector, pushing the manufacturing sector to second place. In particular, Brabant's unique position within the Netherlands concerning high level technology is causing a structural change in the influx of investments from abroad.

New USP

"We've noticed that Brabant is becoming more and more visible internationally," Richard l'Ami, BOM Foreign Investments Director, explains part of the success. "Our work on this combination of pro-active acquisition and creating a strong position for Brabant's high-tech facilities is really paying off. We're promoting the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven as a serious competitor to Silicon Valley and other high-tech centers in Boston, Japan, China, India and Israel. Brabant's developments are of an international standard and the interest shown by the R&D sector for Brabant proofs this. We have put our name firmly on the map and have added a Unique Selling Point to our proposition. Brabant can profit from high level technology - this segment will make us truly an international player."

Intense dynamics

L'Ami has noticed strongly increased dynamics of Brabant's economy. "The number of prospective investors has increased by 17% compared to 2009". The USA is responsible for the larger part, although China and Taiwan jointly account for an equal number of prospects. Asian trade and industry - which also include India, Japan and Korea - are very well represented. L'Ami also points out the striking contribution of foreign investments from other European countries: "Twenty percent of the projects originate in Europe, which means Brabant's positioning has made its mark there as well. Now we need to concentrate even more on promoting Brabant's high-tech profile in economically sound regions like the Stockholm area and Baden Wuerttemberg in Germany."