MKB-Nederland to work more closely with VNO-NCW

The board of MKB-Nederland has approved plans for enhanced cooperation with VNO-NCW. The agreement, which was reached by the presidia of both associations, meets the wish of the MKB board for better SME profiling and a stronger, individual SME voice. The agreements will be discussed by the VNO-NCW board at the end of this month, where they will be submitted to the members with a positive recommendation. MKB-Nederland and VNO-NCW will organise the renewed cooperation in a way that does more justice to the diversity in the constituencies. And so that the entrepreneurial practice resonates even more, in contrast to the macro approach that government and politics often use. The two associations want to connect all entrepreneurship of every size and capacity under the motto 'Nederland Onderneemt!'

Strengthening the SME lobby

A joint entrepreneurship agenda will be created to promote SME interests. A new 'entrepreneurship' programme will also be included in the existing (joint) work organisation. A new platform will also be created ''SME Entrepreneurship' set up. In this platform, led by the new chairman of MKB-Nederland, SMEs and sectors from both associations participate. This feeds the joint lobby with the latest entrepreneurial insights and further strengthens the specific SME lobby. The renewed collaboration between VNO-NCW and MKB-Nederland is facilitated by a federation to be established, of which both associations will become members and of which the chairmen, vice-chairmen and treasurers of the two associations will form the board. Within the new agreements, the boards of the two associations will meet approximately three to four times a year to coordinate the joint lobby and projects.

Supporting the major transitions

Furthermore, MKB-Nederland and VNO-NCW will jointly invest in innovation by, among other things, organising cross-sector (digital) platforms and projects for and by entrepreneurs. This serves both the development of entrepreneurship and the major transitions that the Netherlands is facing and that often cut across sectors. The aim of all measures is to ensure the best business climate in the world with partners and the government in the Netherlands. Source: MKB-Netherlands. FHI is affiliated with MKB-Netherlands and the federation participates in the main board of MKB-Nederland as well as in a number of committees and working groups.