Karel Masarik, Director of the Czech Semiconductor Center, joined leading innovators, government officials, and academic representatives at the prestigious Czech–Dutch Business Forum, held on 5th June 2025 as part of the State Visit of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands to the Czech Republic.
Hosted at the cutting-edge HiLASE and ELI Beamlines facilities in Dolni Brezany, the Forum brought together Czech and Dutch stakeholders with a shared goal: to strengthen economic collaboration and accelerate innovation across both nations’ high tech and industrial sectors. The event was officially opened by President Petr Pavel, Their Majesties the Dutch Royal Couple, and Ministers Lukáš Vlček (Czech Republic) and Dirk Beljaarts (Netherlands), underscoring the significance of bilateral cooperation.
Mr. Masarik participated in the strategic session on Smart Industry and High Tech Ecosystems – Solving Global Challenges Together, which focused on scaling innovation through collaborative ecosystems. The session showcased best practices from both nations and emphasized the importance of cross-border partnerships in achieving digitalization and industrial transformation.
The Czech–Dutch Smart Industry Action Agenda, established in 2021, has laid solid groundwork for practical cooperation. Business Forum highlights the momentum we’re gaining in aligning our innovation capacities and jointly tackling challenges in manufacturing, smart technologies, and semiconductor development.
The session, moderated by journalist Michala Hergetova, facilitated a robust exchange of insights among policymakers, entrepreneurs, and research leaders. It spotlighted the “quadruple helix” model—linking industry, government, academia, and society—as the foundation for successful high tech ecosystems.
Beyond discussions, the Forum included B2B matchmaking, MoU signings, and a guided tour of the STAR cluster and laser research centers, offering participants a firsthand look at Czechia’s advanced research infrastructure.
Participation in this event reinforces the Czech Semiconductor Center’s commitment to international collaboration and supports its strategic role in the Czech Republic’s evolving high tech landscape.
Photo: Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Czechia
