The next government needs to invest billions of euros in stimulating the technology industry in Eindhoven, according to an alliance of local companies, universities and councils, news agency ANP reported.

The Brainport Development alliance says €10.5bn is needed to boost the region and that the next government should fund the bulk of this. Representatives are in The Hague on Wednesday to outline their plans to officials, ANP said.

Half the total sum is needed to improve accessibility and amenities to make the region more attractive to highly-skilled technicians. The alliance says attracting enough good people is one of the major problems facing the region’s high tech firms such as Philips, ASML, NXP and VDL.

Funding is also needed to boost educational standards and to ensure the number of students studying technology and IT doubles in the coming years. More must also be done to attract more talented foreign students, the alliance is quoted as saying.