New Flemish Government increases investments in innovation
The new Flemish Government is determined to strengthen Flanders' position as a European leader in innovation and even become a global leader by increasing government investments in innovation to 1% and, together with the business community, increasing joint investments in R&D to 5% of the gross domestic product.
Innovation is the main engine for sustainable economic growth and higher productivity of Flemish industry. Taking into account new geopolitical and social challenges, we will have to respond to promising innovative developments, such as sustainable energy and mobility, biotechnology or digital technologies.
Building strength through collaboration
In recent years, the six Flemish spearhead clusters (Catalisti, Blue Cluster, Flanders' FOOD, Flux50, MEDVIA and VIL) have convincingly proven that they succeed in bringing together companies, knowledge institutions, citizens and governments to create maximum economic and social added value in Flanders through innovation. In the meantime, it has also been demonstrated that companies which are members of a cluster organisation achieve higher added value and productivity than the sector average.
The spearhead clusters are consequently determined to further strengthen their role together, and find a strong partner in the Flemish Government to increase the business-driven social and socio-economic impact. This is for example achieved by improving the accessibility of SMEs, focusing on guiding start-ups and scale-ups, strengthening internationalisation and scaling up the connection to European funds.
Embracing the future
Given the need to accelerate major transitions (energy, food, mobility, climate, health, etc.), system innovation will be developed as a new central guideline.
Administrative simplification should further lead to companies gaining easier access to innovations and to resources for innovation being deployed in a more targeted manner.
The Flemish spearhead clusters are reaching out to minister Diependaele, the new Flemish minister for Innovation, to jointly secure and strengthen the competitive position of Flemish entrepreneurs over the next five years through innovation.
Who are the six Flemish spearhead clusters?
- Blue Cluster is the spearhead cluster for the sustainable and innovative blue economy;
- Catalisti aims to accelerate innovation in the chemical and plastics industry;
- Flanders' FOOD is committed to working together to build the food of tomorrow;
- Flux50 supports Flanders in gaining recognition as a Smart Energy Region;
- MEDVIA focuces on better healthcare for all people in Flanders: and
- VIL strives to turn Flanders into Europe's logistical powerhuouse.
