Belgian tech sector shows off with video show on Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio
With a video show projected on the famous Christ the Redeemer statue overlooking Rio de Janeiro, the Belgian technology sector handed out its business card on Thursday. The display is part of the Belgian economic mission to Brazil.
During the show on the 30-metre statue of Christ the Redeemer, a variety of Belgian and Brazilian symbols were projected onto the statue, such as flowers and animals from the Amazon forest, Art Nouveau-style line art and the flags of both countries.
The Kortrijk-based image technology group Barco, Dirty Monitor from Charleroi and Many Mind Media from Zemst collaborated on the project. It is part of the 'Belgium. Embracing Openness' campaign, which aims to promote Belgium's reputation among investors, opinion makers, researchers and students.
40 agreements signed
The event is one of the highlights of the two-week Belgian economic mission to Brazil. More than 400 Belgian politicians, business leaders and academics are currently in Rio de Janeiro to strengthen ties in key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, energy and digital technologies. Some 40 agreements have been signed so far.
One of these is with TideWise, which makes unmanned boats for inspecting offshore wind farms. The Brazilian start-up wants to open a branch in the port of Antwerp, which will become its gateway to Europe, the company's founders said during a visit by Flemish minister-president Matthias Diependaele.
Favourable regulations
The Brazilians want to carry out a project in Germany for the Spanish energy company Iberdrola from September 2025. But they are choosing Belgium as their base because the country's regulations are "favourable to high-tech start-ups like ours," says TideWise co-founder Rafael Coelho.
The plan is to set up an office in the port of Antwerp, including an operations centre from which the boats can be monitored. TideWise also wants to build boats in Europe, but high labour costs make it unlikely that this will happen in Belgium.
"We are internationally known as a top region for innovation, research and development"
"We are internationally known as a top region for innovation, research and development," said Diependaele of TideWise's decision to locate in Antwerp. "Our excellent location on the North Sea is also interesting for companies that are betting on offshore wind energy."
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM
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