Jambon joins tech-focused mission to Barcelona
Flemish minister president Jan Jambon joined Flanders' mission to the Spanish region of Catalonia on Friday. Due to meetings with farmers’ organisations in the wake of weeks of protests, he had missed the first two days of the mission.
The trip is focused on technology, start-ups, innovation, digitalisation and the creative industries. Representatives of B-PHOT, the photonics research group of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, and Leuven research centre imec visited the semiconductor company Ideaded and the ICFO photonics institute, in Barcelona.
Delegates also visited the Great Library of Tomorrow, an immersive virtual reality experience created by Spanish record label Blanco y Negro and the organisers of Belgian music festival Tomorrowland.
“Flanders claims to be at the forefront of innovation and technology – and I think we are,” said Jambon, of Flemish nationalist party N-VA. “Catalonia is as well. For an area in which we shine, semiconductors and photons, there are partners in Catalonia. Cooperation can make both of us stronger. Imec and VUB, who have contacts here, were asked to come along because this can help build partnerships.”
On Thursday, trade agency FIT signed two agreements with its Catalan counterpart Acció and with Tech Barcelona, a hub for start-up activity. Several political meetings, including with Catalan president Pere Aragonès, were cancelled but may still be rearranged for Sunday.
#FlandersNewsService | A woman uses a VR device at the Great Library of Tomorrow immersive experience in Barcelona, 15 February 2024 © BELGA PHOTO PAU BARRENA CAPILLA
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