The Belgian concern Bekaert has cut 609 jobs at its West and East Flemish outfits of Zwevegem, Deerlijk, Ingelmunster and Aalter in addition to 1,250 positions in China. Key to this move is the collapse of the market for the sawing wire used to cut silicon components for solar panels. In 2010 this was one of the biggest profit earners of the company. The government of Flanders was visibly disturbed by this round of layoffs yesterday, as the West Flemish concern has been a showpiece of the Flemish industry during the past ten years, increasing its turnover  from 2 billion euros in 2006 to 3.3 billion in 2010. Bekaert invested considerably in innovation, selling its fencing business and focusing on solar panels and started a series of production units in China to serve the Asian market. Similarly its shareholder’s portfolio gained much more international ownership, moving from only 20% of all non-family owned shares in 2000 to 90% foreign participation today. Indeed, strong growth, (green) innovation and internationalisation were the model ingredients for the upgrading of Flemish industry. And this is what makes these layoffs even more painful. Bekaert CEO Bert De Graeve does not put the blame on lack of competitiveness but rather a drop in demand for sawing wire. Flemish Minister-president Kris Peeters (CD&V), also responsible for the Economy portfolio, agrees, saying: “It’s not fair to blame policy. We have no control over a product on the global market.” The government of Flanders plans to re-employ the dismissed workers as soon as possible. The Bekaert incident is not the first disaster story this year. In January the bus maker Van Hool from Lier announced that it planned to build its new production unit in Macedonia and not in Belgium. Similarly BASF chose to invest 1 billion euros in Ludwigshafen instead of Antwerp, and this week Crown closed its plant in Deurne, with 300 employees losing their job. This all shows that things are not that rosy in the Flemish industry. The contribution of the industrial activity in employment and wealth has been on a downward spiral due to high productivity, relocations abroad and subcontracting of non-essential activities. In an attempt to turn this trend, the government of Flanders drafted a New Industrial Policy last year, based on a higher budget for innovation, the promotion of technical careers and an economic shift towards new markets. An Industrial Council will roll out the policy and propose a number of projects later this year. Minister-president Peeters is keen to hear the council’s input on the additional initiatives that could be launched to further support the industry. Together with the SP.A, he also plans to claim back from Bekaert the 17 million euros that were given for innovation and training support.

A true world first was performed during an operation at the Orbis Medical Centre in Sittard in the Netherlands in June last yea when an elderly Dutch woman received a completely new titanium mandible, perfectly imprinted one layer at a time by a 3D printer. After an infection caused serious damage to her own mandible,  it had to be removed completely. Such a serious intervention is always followed by  reconstructive microsurgery that could take  up to sixteen hours and involves the fixing of various donor components. Considering the age of the patient, doctors decided to opt instead for a single, custom-made implant designed in Hasselt and manufactured in Louvain. An operation involving the implanting of a mandible takes less than four hours. “In this way the woman was spared a long and risky intervention,” says Jules Poukens of the Hasselt University and co-designer of the artificial mandible with colleagues Ivo Lambrichts and Ingeborg van Kroonenburgh. Shortly after waking from her anaesthetic, the patient could utter a few words, and a day later she could talk and swallow normally.” The mandible as well as articular bones were printed in layers by the Louvain company LayerWise, using a laser printer with titanium powder for ink. During the printing process the powder melted together, making it unnecessary to use glue or a fixative. The printed operated with such extreme precision that the artificial mandible also contains cavities to which muscles can be attached and grooves to direct veins and mandible nerves. “The job was done in a matter of hours,” says engineer Peter Mercelis of LayerWise. If the classical implant manufacturing techniques (cutting and moulding) had been used, a procedure like this would have taken a few days. The mandible was finally given a bioceramic coating compatible with the patient’s tissue by BioCeramics in Leiden. Weighing 107 grams, it is only 30 grams heavier than a human mandible and not at all uncomfortable for the patient, Mercelis states.

 The use of a 3D printer to produce implants for the medical industry is nothing new as such and nearly a million people across the globe have tooth implants in their mouth which have been manufactured by variants of this technique. “But a complete mandible? No, that has never happened before,” confirms Mercelis. Meanwhile the patient is doing exceptionally well. “In two weeks’ time she will receive artificial roots in her mandible on which we will screw the dentures”, says Mercelis.

The Flemish tourist organisation Flanders Tourist Office (Toerisme Vlaanderen) and the five Flemish provinces have released provincial cycling network data for digital applications. During the course of 2011 they have integrated all five provincial networks and cycling hubs in a central databank. With this digital offering they hope to plug into the digital revolution of Smartphones, tablets and wifi networks. At the same time it will encourage web developers to develop route planners for cyclists, offering them an array of useful and startling applications that will promote tourist attractions in an efficient way. Peter De Wilde, general manager of Flanders Tourist Office, has opened the door for private players. “Starting this year, players in the private market are entitled to a licence." The new licensing policy is set to introduce creativity to the digital market. Meanwhile the Flemish company Route You has already joined the project, developing a cycle route planner which links cycling hub networks with the prettiest or shortest route to a specific destination. Users can receive information such as tourist attractions along the way or the degree of difficulty of a route and they will also have the option of checking the route on their Smartphone during the trip. The website fietsnet.be has taken a licence as well. “This new official databank is extremely useful to check the applications of our voluntary workers,” says Koen Mannaerts from fietsnet.be.

Flemish Minister-president Kris Peeters (CD&V) would like to give the social partners more input on job policy once more powers have been transferred to Flanders as soon as the new state reform has been put into practice. He does however feel that they should earn it and therefore suggests they should reorganise, proposing that they should follow the example of the federal social partners who organise the consultancy about wages, labour conditions etc. in their Group of Ten. Afterwards the agreements are worked out in detail in the National Labour Council and the Central Council for Businesses. Trade unions and employers organisations have responded positively to his offer, but add that he should not tell them how to go ahead, saying: “We will do that ourselves. We are in the process of preparing it”. They do not foresee that debate will lead towards a ‘Group of Ten’, but rather via their umbrella council, the Social en Economic Council of Flanders (SERV). Employers’ spokesperson Karel Van Eetvelt of the Union of Independent Entrepreneurs (UNIZO) and current SERV president  says: “We have also given top priority to the powers to be transferred,” while Caroline Copers of the Socialist union ABVV says: “In SERV, presidency is based on rotation, whereas in the ‘Goup of Ten’ an employer is always the president,” but adds: “We seriously need employers who, like the federal employers, are committed to true commitment in finding agreements with us. At present they only promise to encourage their members to do as agreed.” Peeters also seems to doubt whether the unions will actually send their top negotiators to the SERV, fearing the top federal figures will continue to dictate what the Flemish representatives should do. And that is not in keeping with his progclaimed 'Copernican revolution', i.e. that the federated states are the most important level, which he would like to see applied to the social partners. The Christian union ACV does not believe the federal level is dominant in its own organisation: “The Flemish ACV has been independent since 1981.” Says Copers (ABVV): “I would like to know how far Peeters is prepared to take his offer. With many of the federal powers that were regionalised, the social partners had considerable input at the federal level. Will that remain at Flemish level?” The two smaller social partners, the liberal union ACLVB and the farmers’ union, Boerenbond fear they will be “thrown out” in view of Peeters’ belief in a ‘Group of Five’, but Peeters is confident about the group having six members, saying: “It’s a symbolic name. The ‘Group of Ten’ has eleven members, so there’s no reason why the ‘Group of Five’ cannot have six.

It’s official. Belgium is in a recession. Until recently the buzzword was savings, but it seems the focus has now shifted to economic growth. How do we escape the crisis and restart the engine? Six business leaders have given their suggestions for economic stimulation. Christ’l Joris, president of the industrial and office lighting developer Etap Lighting, is also president of the technology federation Agoria. Her stance on the matter is that the government should support businesses which are still operational in Flanders; in particular innovative and labour-intensive companies, as an increase in their turnover locally and abroad would automatically result in more jobs. Caroline Van Marcke, who heads one of the most successful family concerns in Flanders, Groep Van Marcke, with her brother, believes the Flemish economy cannot be driven by services alone and should create more industrial fibre. Patrick De Maeseneire, international CEO of the recruitment giant Adecco since 2009, says: “If we fail to attract industry we will never eliminate unemployment among the lowly skilled.”

Hans Bourlon, co-CEO of the entertainment business Studio 100 and winner of the Manager of the Year award in 2008, believes that some of the textile industry’s business activities should return to Flanders from China in view of the increasing transport and oil costs, Chinese wage increases and the growth of ecological limitations. Christ’l Joris further believes the government should increase its efforts in training for technical careers and make it easier for foreign technicians to work here to solve the local shortage of technically skilled workers. Moreover she feels Belgian employees retire or take early retirement when they are too young, leaving a huge gap in the market as far as experience is concerned.

The high unemployment rate among the youth and the not so highly skilled is another fundamental problem. To address this issue, De Maeseneire believes the younger generation should receive preference in the job market so that they can at least gain experience. Wouter Torfs, CEO of the family shoe business Schoenen Torfs and one of the stalwarts in the Flemish retail industry, feels the unemployment trap should be addressed. The difference between unemployment benefits and the starting wage should increase to motivate the unemployed to work. He also feels buying power should be protected, stating that consumer confidence relies on income, job and pension security, which therefore should be maintained. Says Torfs: “We should seek a mechanism that will ensure the consumer retains his buying power after tax without increasing wage costs for the employer.” Demaeseneire believes the state has only one option to create room for an economic stimulus and that is cutting back on social security. Torfs feels an orthodox policy regarding public finances should be reintroduced, saying: “We cannot burden the next generations with debt.”

According to Jo Van Biesbroeck, regional director for Western Europe of the world’s biggest brewer AB InBev, national and European sovereigns and institutions should introduce both carefully considered savings and investment measures. Van Marcke agrees, finding Europe’s approach too one-sided and too much focused on debt relief. She is in favour ofr supporting growth in the PIGS (Portugal, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Greece) countries. Politics and business should develop a long-term vision, she believes, and she adds: “The dictates of quarterly figures will not help us ahead. Businesses will not invest as a result. We should consider how we plan to distinguish our economy from others in the long term.” Van Biesbroeck is of the opinion that the available means should be put to good use and more should be invested in innovation. These are principles which apply to both the private and public sector. But they should be carefully explained to employers and the population at large. According to De Maeseneire, the current budget does not allow for public stimuli, so Belgium and Western Europe should become more attractive for investors and businesses by making wages competitive and taxation simple. Finally Van Biesbroeck believes Europe should streamline its labour market policy to ensure the different countries remain competitive.

A gobsmacked Kimberley marvels at the transmitters and satellite components produced by Antwerp Space, a Hoboken-based outfit which designs special satellite transmitters and has made its contribution the the European Galileo vavigation system amongst others. Even though it’s not all very flashy, she and her eleven schoolmates are highly impressed with what they experience on their guided tour. “This is something we have never seen before,” the sixth-grader Kimberely states with genuine interest. Antwerp Space was one of 24 businesses in Flanders and Brussels which played host to a group of 662 schoolgirls who participated in Technogirls Day yesterday. The initiative, instigated by Agoria, the federation for the technology industry, was aimed at encouraging girls between age 11 and 12 to choose a technical career. The objective at Antwerp Space was to show these girls that a technical career is in no way inferior to general secondary education. 'Education must not become a drop out contest," explains Antwerp Space manager Sofie Appelmans. Technology is not popular among girls and only about 10% of all students at technical training institutions are girls, with female employees in this sector making up only 13% of staff. “That is truly a pity, as typical female qualities such as communication, precision and teamwork are crucial. Moreover this field of study is enormously enriching for the girls,” says Wilson De Pril of Agoria Flanders. “As technology businesses generally suffer a shortage of suitable staff, we plan to promote technology amongst girls.” These girls will only truly decide their future careers when they’re older, but there is no harm in stimulating their interest in the meantime. When the technogirls were each given a pink calculator to take home, they expressed their happiness with gasps of delight and put away the soldering bit. Girls will be girls.

The announcement by federal Deputy Prime Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne (Open VLD) that Chinese businessman Fen Jun has set his sights on Belgium was not received very well by the Flemish Minister-president Kris Peeters (CD&V). Said Peeters: “It serves no purpose whatsoever to take the credit before any final decision has been made. If things should fall through, I would be most disappointed indeed. Especially on behalf of Flanders Investment and Trade (FIT) who have tirelessly worked on the dossier.” He does not agree with allegations that his words run counter to a federalism which promotes collaboration between the regions and the federal government, saying that he promotes both Flanders and Belgium on his trade missions. He does find merit in healthy competition between the federated states and the federal government, but adds: “We should not work against each other to the benefit of ourselves”. Peeters swears by the model of a federal government serving the interests of the regions, especially in respect of economic diplomacy. That communication between the different levels has been somewhat stern in recent weeks is evident from misunderstandings on the way powers had to be transferred from the federal level to the regions. To clear these issues Peeters has demanded formal deliberation with the federal government as he has a government that with a party (the Flemish nationalist N-VA) that is not represented in the federal government.

In 2014 federal and regional elections will concur. Peeters fears federal themes will overshadow regional ones and plans to do everything in his power to prevent this from happening again, but it will be up to the parliaments to decide on the matter. He further plans to organise social consultancy (on wages, labour conditions etc...) on a Flemish level as well. While the Group of Ten (employer and employee interests groups) currently debates at federal level, Peeters would like to introduce a Group of Five to deliberate on social issues without interfering with the Group of Ten once additional powers such as job market policy have been transferred to Flanders. He hopes the unions will be willing to join the Flemish consultancy, but realises that it’s not a given.

Belgium should expand into a mature federalism, states Peeters, who is planning an international mission with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. “We are going to organise a joint conference with North Rhine Westphalia in Antwerp, and yesterday I received a request from Walloon Minister of Economy Marcourt to undertake a joint mission to Myanmar. I consider this a positive development.” The fact that the palace would rather see him leave on a trade mission with the Walloon Minister-president De motte rather than the Dutch Premier does not bother Peeters. “It's none of the palace's business. It is first and foremost our responsibility, as foreign trade is primarily a regional competence. Figures show that Flanders is the economic engine of the country. We make up 60% of the population, 70% of the GDP and more than 80% of all exports. To forget that fact could result in an engine that fails or even stops. Not only would Flanders suffer as a result, but the whole of Belgium.”

The minister-president of Flanders, Kris Peeters (CD&V), organised a meeting with the banks in his ministerial office last week following concerns about a report from the Department of Economy, Science and Innovation (EWI). The report stated that banks have become more stringent in their credit policy to businesses, and in particular to small enterprises, demanding higher guarantees, quibbling over the required amounts and charging higher interest rates. The present situation is not as dramatic as it was after the bank crisis in 2008, but Peeters was nevertheless fearful of the economic effects of the banks' stringency. “The first condition for economic growth is healthy credit extension. Business investments are essential for economic growth.” Therefore Peeters urged the financial sector “to assume its responsibility”. Karel Van Eetvelt, CEO of the organisation for small businesses and independent entrepreneurs Unizo, shares Peeters concern after establishing that conditions for a loan have become more stringent and the waiting time for approval by the banks has been extended. Despite Peeters’ conviction that the banks “explicitly confirmed their goodwill” during the meeting, he reminded them of the Flanders government’s guarantee scheme which provides banks with guarantees when they extend credit to SMEs. The guarantee scheme has meanwhile assisted 7,100 businesses with a total loan amount of 2 billion euros. During the next few months Flemish government officials will train bankers  to familiarise them with the scheme in the hope that they will be more inclined to increase loan facilities tot small businesses.

The award ‘Thuis in de stad’ (‘At home in the city’) is a prize awarded to Flemish cities for their innovative projects. This year, the eleventh edition of the award, the 75,000 euro prize went to C-Mine in the Limburg city of Genk. “We will use the money on a people’s festival at C-Mine in April,” responded Genk mayor Wim Dries. “One could say we are giving the money to the Genk citizens, as they are also partners in the C-Mine project,” he added. The jury that awarded the prize referred to C-Mine as an example of innovative public projects in Flanders. “We took on the challenge to turn a deserted mine site into a centre for tourism culture, education and creative economy respecting its former function,” said the mayor. He has collected an impressive array of C-Mine trophies to be exhibited in the new cultural centre. With as many as ten prizes in the bag, C-Mine is set to become a tourist attraction. “In April another attraction, the 'C-Mine Expedition', will be added to give visitors the opportunity to experience the life and work in an old mine gallery. In addition to the cultural centre we would also like to offer a platform for the creative economy, with opportunities for creative entrepreneurs to start a small business.” Dries sees the ‘Thuis in de stad’ award as a recognition for years of hard work and investments in C-Mine.

Flemish writer Ivo Michiels has won the America Award 2012 for his lifetime contribution to international writing. This is the first time a Flemish writer is honoured with the award which, according to organisers, is the modest alternative to the Nobel Prize for Literature. Michiels shares the honour with writers like Harold Pinter (1995), José Saramago (2004) and Javier Marias (2010). Each year the America Award composes a jury of American poets, fiction writers, playwrights and literary critics to decide on the winner, who receives no prize money. In 2011 Ivo Michiels published ‘Mag ik spreken?’ (‘May I speak?’), a new, simplified adaptation of his 10-part cycle of novels, Journal Brut (1983 – 2001). Breaking away from the classical tale Michiels experimented with language in associative monologues, interweaving memories and fiction, references and quotes, as in ‘Journal Brut’ and the Alfa cycle. The publisher Green Integer will soon publish ‘Journal Brut' and ‘Orchis Militaris’ (1968) in English. They are also planning to publish the remaining parts of the Alfa cycle, which will include ‘het boek Alfa’ (‘the Alfa book’), ‘Exit’, ‘Samuel o Samuel’ and ‘Dixi(t)’. The 89-year-old Michiels (pseudonym for Henri Ceuppens), born in Morstsel (Antwerp) in 1923, has been living and working in the South of France since 1979. He has received numerous local and international awards.