Business

The Veldhoven chip-machine giant ASML is planning to expand its expertise into the field of advanced packaging to support the AI revolution. By developing tools that connect specialised chips, the company aims to secure its position in the semiconductor industry for the next fifteen years.

Industrial activity in the Netherlands picked up slightly in February, with production and business confidence both improving. New orders from abroad fell, but economists expect this decline to be temporary. Rising energy prices and growing defence investments are shaping the outlook for the sector.

The bank Bunq has been ordered to pay more than €314,000 after a mistake allowed a bankrupt customer to access his funds. The customer managed to withdraw or transfer the money before the trustee could intervene. A judge ruled that the bank was responsible for the error and rejected its attempts to blame the trustee.

More than 9.6 million people have been invited to file their 2025 income tax return, with the deadline set for 1 May. The Tax and Customs Administration expects heavy traffic on the first day, as happened last year. Support is available online and in person for those who need help completing their return.

ASML employees will stage a walk-out on 3 March to protest against the company’s plan to cut 1,700 jobs. Trade unions are organising the action to challenge the necessity of the redundancies and demand better protection for the workforce.

Odido would not say whether the stolen data contained sensitive information about victims of domestic violence or stalking. “No statements can be made about...

The Netherlands has begun testing GPT-NL, a home-grown artificial intelligence model built to safeguard digital sovereignty. Backed by a €13.5 million government investment, the project aims to provide a secure alternative to foreign AI platforms for Dutch organisations. By using local news archives and forensic expertise, the model is designed to uphold European values and strict privacy standards.

Dutch police have launched a major investigation after hackers stole the personal data of 6 million Odido customers. Authorities are praising the telecom company's refusal to pay a ransom and are warning the public to stay alert for identity fraud. The case highlights the growing risks of sophisticated phishing attacks following large-scale data breaches.