The findings show that the incentives led to new jobs being created, though there was no demonstrable effect on firms’ productivity. • Projects of this kind show that there are many ways of achieving an economic policy objective. Evaluations can show which measures work and what side effects they may have.
I am optimistic about the prospects for the European economy. We clearly passed the turning point in economic growth, both in the Netherlands as in Europe as a whole. Moreover, the conditions for sustainable growth recovery are favourable.