Flanders Industry Summit kicks off amid fears of major energy crisis
Whilst international institutions are warning of a massive energy crisis, the Flanders Industry Summit began in Antwerp on Monday. “Flemish industry must not allow itself to be paralysed by geopolitical tensions,” stated Flemish minister president Matthias Diependaele.
The Flanders Industry Summit marks the start of the Flanders Technology & Innovation International Week. During the week, international investors will be introduced to Flanders as a hub for industrial knowledge. The programme includes visits to the BlueChem chemical incubator, imec, Vaccinopolis, the biotech cluster in Ghent-Zwijnaarde and the entrepreneurship festival SuperNova in Antwerp – where actor and former governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger will take the stage.
“Industry is under pressure, the world under high tension,” was the message on Monday from the directors of the industry federations Agoria, essenscia, Fedustria and Fevia. “The best response to growing political and economic uncertainty is to opt for a strong industry and investments in innovation, talent, energy and infrastructure.”
Whether business leaders themselves are convinced of this is highly questionable. On stage, figures such as Véronique Hoflack (Unilin), Kaisa Lipponen (Paulig) and Bart Vermeulen (Sanofi) voiced their doubts. They still see too much fragmentation and regulation within the European industry. Internal friction within the European energy markets was also discussed.
"We are not the biggest or the strongest, but we are resolutely committed to being the best"
Flemish minister president Matthias Diependaele, however, presented his most positive side. “As a region, we are not the biggest or the strongest, but we are resolutely committed to being the best, “he said. “We have many assets at our disposal to remain the open and innovative leading region for which Flanders is so well known internationally.”
#FlandersNewsService | The Flemish Industry Summit of 2024 © BELGA PHOTO TOM GOYVAERTS
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