Bourgeois presents business stimulation plan to BritCham

Flemish minister-president Geert Bourgeois spoke yesterday to members of the British Chamber of Commerce in Belgium on how the region’s new government programme will make Flanders more appealing to businesses.

Bourgeois (pictured) noted three major elements of the programme: simplification of procedures; a five-year, €500 million innovation plan; and stimulation of research and development. The government is particularly focused on supporting the Leuven nanotechnology research centre Imec, the life sciences research institute VIB and the digital research centre iMinds, both in Ghent, and the Flemish Institute for Technical Research Vito, based in Mol.

The minister also praised the efforts of the federal government in seeking to reduce the tax burden on labour.

Asked about his administration’s position on TTIP, the controversial Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership under negotiations between Europe and the US, he said that he fully supports the initiative, noting that “Flanders is a very open economy and a trans-Atlantic agreement can only help Flemish businesses find new opportunities worldwide. It is an opportunity for Europe and the US, representing 60% of world trade, to set standards for the world”.

UK Ambassador Alison Rose, also present, noted that Flanders was the UK’s fourth largest trading partner in Europe.      

Photo courtesy Geert Bourgeois