The government has allocated €250,000 to promote Dutch pop music outside the Netherlands this year, culture minister Jet Bussemaker told MPs in a briefing on Wednesday.

Successful Dutch bands such as Kensington and Chef’s Special and solo artists like Jett Rebel pack in the crowds at home but need extra help to get the interest of international record labels, Bussemaker said.

‘To really break through abroad they need to invest themselves,’ she said. This could mean investing in promotion or contributing towards travel costs, the minister wrote. ‘Dutch artists often have limited resources.’

Bands which want to apply for funding will first have to be screened by an independent panel, she said.

ING economists said last year the export value of the Dutch dance sector has risen 50% a year since 2008 and may have hit €200m in 2015. DJs such as Tiësto, Armin van Buren, Martin Garrix and Hardwell are considered to be among the best in the world.