The four financial umbrella organisations argue for an ambitious start and step-by-step growth in order to significantly increase the investment power and thus the earning capacity of the Netherlands together with the government. The final size of public and private capital depends largely on available investable projects and sufficient core capital. The NII can use NII bonds with government guarantees of up to 100%.
Cooperation throughout the financing and investment chain
According to the financial sector, a successful NII requires more than just capital. The four financial umbrella organisations call for use to be made of the knowledge, expertise and investment discipline that are already present in the market. In this way, the NII can grow into a catalyst that not only brings together public and private parties. But it also helps to share risks and make investments possible that would otherwise be difficult to get off the ground: from early innovations to fast-growing companies. Following the Wennink Report, the focus is for the time being on sectors that are crucial for the future earning capacity of the Netherlands: digitisation and AI, security and resilience, energy and climate technology and life sciences and biotechnology.
Support from VNO-NCW (Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers)
The declaration of intent is wholeheartedly supported by VNO-NCW, which has been arguing for a long time for a National Investment Institution that contributes to the growth potential of the Dutch economy with sufficient mass.
Picking up the pace
With the joint letter of intent, the financial sector also wants to speed up and not wait until the formal establishment of the NII to get started. In anticipation of the formal establishment, the sector wants to make as much use as possible of existing public institutions and structures to assess promising projects and funds. Where possible, the members of the umbrella organisations can then realise the first investment propositions and collaborations as early as 2027.