AMSTERDAM, Dec 18 (Reuters) - A group of Dutch

technology firms including computer chip equipment maker ASML

said on Wednesday they will contribute around $230

million to developing infrastructure in the Eindhoven area of

the Netherlands.

The move is tied to "Operation Beethoven", a plan announced

in March by the Dutch government to spend 2.5 billion euros

($2.7 billion) to improve housing, transportation, education and

electricity in the region, one of Europe's fastest-growing

technology hubs.