Flemish minister-president promises continued investment in 'global biotech player' VIB

The Flemish Institute for Biotechnology (VIB) is a global player in research and innovation, and Flanders will continue to invest in it. That emphasised Flemish minister-president Matthias Diependaele on Monday during a visit to the VIB research building at the Technology Park in Zwijnaarde.

In times of climate change, health challenges and geopolitical uncertainty, the VIB says it is working on “innovations that improve lives”. This covers a wide range of areas, from a “Google Maps” of the hundreds of thousands of cells in the liver to drought-resistant maize plants. “The added value to society in terms of food security, climate challenges, and so much more is incredible,” declared minister-president Diependaele during his visit to the VIB.

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Last year, the Flemish government invested 84.7 million euros in the scientific research centre, and this year that figure will be around 89 million. However, for every euro invested, an average of 12 euros flows back into the Flemish economy and society and 14 euros worldwide, according to a recent impact study by British economic consultant Biggar Economics.

“Since the 1980s, there has been a generation of politicians who understood that they had to focus on innovation to ensure Flanders' long-term prosperity,” said Diependaele. “We are currently benefiting from the results of our strategic research centres. I believe that we must make the same investments today to ensure that our children and grandchildren will also enjoy the same prosperity.”

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The European Commission recently announced a new law on biotechnology (EU Biotech Act), which aims, among other things, to stimulate innovation in the biotechnology sector in Europe. At present, Europe is much stricter than, for example, the United States and China, which leads to less GMO cultivation and a stricter market. “In any case, we want to put the issue of the authorisation of GMOs (genetically modified organisms, ed.) on the European agenda with Flanders,” Diependaele added.

^{#FlandersNewsService | Visit by Flemish minister-president Matthias Diependaele to the Flemish Institute for Biotechnology (VIB) © BELGA PHOTO HAITSE NELIS}

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