Elfred Bus is an alderman in the municipality of Oegstgeest.
“Because in addition to municipalities, companies and knowledge institutions also work together in Key Region Leiden, we know what their wishes and needs are. They help determine the agenda of Key Region Leiden. As governments, we work in a facilitating and directing role, by organizing and supporting cooperation. We also provide regulations and – in part – financing. Companies and knowledge institutions must also contribute their fair share.
The Bio Science Park is increasingly developing as an innovation district. The park now employs 20 to 25 thousand people. This number will continue to grow in the coming years. The park is located in two municipalities, Leiden and Oegstgeest, and wants to be able to continue to expand in the coming years. Their employees therefore want to be able to live in the region. And the companies are looking for students, as future workers. Answers to these questions can be found through cooperation at the regional level.
We already do that in an Expat Center. That was already there for personnel from the knowledge institutions, but may be expanded in the future to include new target groups. Another important theme is digitalization in SMEs. Hardly necessary for companies to keep up with this. The corona crisis has taught us that.”