Business

Indian manufacturing giant Tata Electronics has signed a strategic agreement with Dutch semiconductor equipment leader ASML to develop India's first commercial chip fabrication plant. The 11 billion USD facility in Gujarat will utilise ASML's advanced lithography technology to produce microchips for global automotive, mobile, and artificial intelligence markets.

Several Swatch stores in the Netherlands were forced to remain closed on Saturday after hundreds of shoppers gathered for a highly anticipated watch release. Police and security teams stepped in to disperse the crowds in both Leidschendam and Amsterdam after safety concerns arose

A bird flu outbreak at a laying hen farm in Biddinghuizen has led to the precautionary culling of 55,000 chickens to prevent the virus from spreading. Following the detection in Flevoland, the Ministry of Agriculture has enforced a strict 10-kilometre restriction zone, imposing a total transport ban on birds, eggs, and manure. This measure directly impacts 25 other commercial poultry farms in the area, as authorities work to contain the infection and safeguard the wider agricultural sector.

State Secretary Silvio Erkens has allocated 13.5 million euros to compensate fishermen for the soaring fuel prices triggered by the conflict in Iran, repurposing funds originally intended for European sustainability projects. While the scheme offers relief for rising operating costs incurred since February, it excludes claims for lost revenue from those who stayed in port to avoid high prices. This emergency measure, funded largely by the EU, arrives alongside separate multi-million euro packages aimed at long-term modernisation and support for shrimp, flatfish, and shellfish fishers as the industry navigates a volatile energy market.

The AEX index opened lower on Friday as investors paused to catch their breath following a significant two-day rally. Market sentiment remains cautious as the world awaits concrete details from the summit in Beijing between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Despite Trump’s optimistic talk of "fantastic trade deals" and potential cooperation regarding oil and the Strait of Hormuz, the lack of specific particulars—coupled with rising tensions over Iran—led the Amsterdam benchmark to dip 0.9 per cent to 1,012.60 points in early trading.

At the invitation of the Dutch Prime Minister, Rob Jetten, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay an official visit to the Netherlands from 15...

ASML and major Dutch trade unions have reached an agreement on a social plan to support employees during the company’s current transformation. The plan focuses on preventing forced redundancies through internal redeployment, generous severance pay, and extended employment guarantees.

ASML has secured a social plan with unions to protect staff during its upcoming management overhaul. Unexpected company growth and a focus on internal relocation mean fewer employees will lose their jobs than originally feared, while those leaving will receive robust financial and career support.