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Cisco "Digital Acceleration Netherlands" program aims to help substantially boost Dutch GDP growth

Amsterdam, the Netherlands. 19 January, 2017 – Cisco has launched a targeted investment program called Digital Acceleration Netherlands (DAN), aimed at helping to boost the digitization of the Dutch economy and society. Over the next three years, Cisco will be working closely with the Dutch government, industry and education, through the DAN program and its strategic activities. This program is designed to run in parallel to, and help accelerate the “Digital Agenda for the Netherlands” (which was published by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs in July, 2016). By accelerating the national digitization agenda the Netherlands can grow its GDP, create new jobs and provide innovation and education across public and private sectors.

The DAN program is part of Cisco’s worldwide ‘Country Digitization Acceleration’ initiative which is set up to help selected countries around the world to digitize their economies. In the Netherlands, the program focuses on a number of key elements that are also part of the Digital Agenda, including investments in digital skills and training, digitization of the Dutch transport and utility infrastructure, connected healthcare, smart campus, cyber security and support for entrepreneurship and business innovation in the Netherlands, with a specific focus on start-ups.

Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Netherlands: “At the 2017 World Economic Forum in Davos, I spoke with John Chambers about the digitization of our economy and the many challenges and opportunities this brings. The Netherlands has reached a high position in international comparisons of digitized economies, but that does not mean we can lean back. We need to accelerate our digitization, in order for our businesses, citizens, research institutes and local governments to get the most benefit from new applications, revenue models and jobs.”

John Chambers, Executive Chairman Cisco: “The Netherlands, a historic leader in innovation, is taking the necessary steps to create a sustainable innovation ecosystem that will enable them to continue to lead in the global digital economy. Cisco is proud to support the Dutch government and people in accelerating their Digital Agenda by creating next generation jobs and training, by improving education in a faster and more effective way. We believe with effective utilization of the Digital Acceleration Netherlands program, the Netherlands will see its GDP grow faster than would otherwise be possible.”

Edwin Prinsen, Managing Director Cisco Netherlands: “We are very proud to run the DAN program in the Netherlands, together with the government. There are three key benefits that will make the DAN program a top focus area for our society, our customers and our partners: it creates new user experiences, enables innovative business models, and drives workforce innovation. Hendrik Blokhuis will lead the program, together with a dedicated Cisco team, thus making sure we maximize our contribution.”