 |
|
Driven by innovation, creativity, technological expertise and entrepreneurship, ICT firms in Flanders have acquired European as well as global leadership positions. In Flanders' open business culture ICT companies can rely on a hi-tech ecosystem in which to develop tomorrow's technologies. This high density of ICT businesses, research centers and knowledge clusters provides them with a stimulating environment. This helps them greatly in taking the lead in their specific niche.
Whether your business is in broadband, wireless or satellite communication, and whether you develop ICT applications for the logistics, healthcare, banking, media or other industries, Flanders holds all the trump cards to foster sustainable growth for both SMEs and large ICT concerns.
7 reasons why Flanders is in pole position
1. Early innovator in broadband, wireless and satellite communication
2. Leading developers of a broad range of hi-tech applications
3. Home to a world-leading independent research center on nanoelectronics
4. Continued focus on innovation in ICT
5. Globally recognized human capital
6. A supporting and encouraging work environment for ICT-related business initiatives
7. Flanders Investment & Trade: support at the start and the expansion of your operations
Want to know more on Flanders' ICT industry? Order our brochure The ICT Industry in Flanders here or download it (PDF-file 1558kb)
1. Early innovator in broadband, wireless and satellite communication
Flanders has a history of catching the first wave of innovation in many technological fields. It was, for example, one of the first regions in Europe in the nineties to install a broadband network infrastructure that could reach pretty much the entire population. From there on, Flanders developed its expertise in broadband-related services. Furthermore, it extended its expertise to satellite and later wireless communication. Today the region houses a number of companies - both SMEs and large enterprises - that are world-leaders in their sectors and which set the global standard in their specific technological niche.
|
Did you know that…
… Alcatel-Lucent's Bell Labs in Antwerp is one of the concern's key research centers? It is the location that invented the DSL and PON technologies.
… the US concern Scientific Atlanta's has its EMEA regional headquarters in Flanders? The site, in the city of Kortrijk, is also the group's center of excellence for digital video processing.
… Leuven-based company Option is a fast-growing global leader in solutions for wireless data communication? This year, Option introduced the world's smallest and fastest high-speed packet access (HSPA) embedded module for Intel-based Mobile Internet Devices.
|
2. Leading developers of a broad range of hi-tech applications
By combining its expertise of the essential technologies of the future with the entrepreneurship that is so inherent to Flanders, a multitude of businesses in the region are continuously developing state-of-the-art applications. New companies arise and existing ones turn in new directions. They embrace the new technologies and become leading suppliers of solutions for several industries of which the most prominent are: logistics and telematics, electronic identification and eHealth, banking and media.
|
Did you know that…
… Tele Atlas, which has its roots in Flanders, is a global leader in digital mapping? It provides fresh, rich and accurate digital map data and dynamic content which can be found globally in 55% of all portable navigation systems.
… Brussels-based Zetes Industries is a leading pan-European company in the value-added solutions and services industry for automatic identification of goods and people? Thanks to its solution provided to the UN, more than 25 million voters registered for the 2005 elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
… Flemish company Clear2Pay facilitates banks and financial organizations in their provision of payments services? It won a major contract in 2007 to help streamline the US Federal Reserve Banks' transition from paper checks to electronic check transactions.
… the Leuven-based company Eyetronics has built up expertise in hi-tech 3D scanning solutions? Its solutions are now being used in a raft of Hollywood movie productions and high-quality computer games.
|
3. Home to a world-leading independent research center on nanoelectronics
With IMEC, Flanders houses the leading European independent research center in micro- and nanoelectronics, nanotechnology, design methods and technologies for ICT systems. It performs research that runs 3 to 10 years ahead of industrial needs. The world's top integrated-device manufacturers, equipment and material suppliers, system houses and electronic design automation (EDA) vendors participate in the research conducted at the research center.
|
Did you know that…
… IMEC's Industrial Affiliation Program (IIAP) is recognized worldwide as one of the most successful international partnership models for joint development of next-generation technologies? It offers its IIAPs on (sub-)32nm process technology and 3D integration.
… 55 nationalities are represented at IMEC, ensuring its international character? 35% of IMEC's staff comes from abroad.
… leading players in microelectronics have joined R&D programs at IMEC? New partnerships in 2007 and 2008 included the likes of AMI Semiconductor, Elpida Memory Inc, Amkor and NEC, Intel and STMicroelectronics.
… since its establishment in 1984, IMEC has spun off a number of successful technology companies? Recent examples include: Essensium, Gemidis, PowerEscape, Phorovoltech, XenICs and Septentrio.
|
4. Continued focus on innovation in ICT
Flanders is a region with a clear focus on innovation. This goes for all the different industries and especially for ICT. The government plays an important encouraging role. It creates the ideal environment for companies to develop innovative products, solutions and services in. This includes, among other things, setting up international networks and partnerships, and creating centers of excellence in a wide range of industries. The government also develops new learning methods in its schools, universities and colleges of higher education. Furthermore, it aims to create a framework of flexible legislation and beneficial fiscal measures for sustained innovation.
Providing the funding so that new technologies can be proof-tested is crucial to leveraging innovation. The Institute for the Promotion of Innovation by Science and Technology in Flanders (IWT) is the main institute that takes care of grants and subsidies for firms that perform research into innovational products and technologies. The institute does this both for Flemish and for foreign companies based in Flanders.
|
Did you know that…
… SMEs and large firms are eligible for direct assistance from IWT for R&D projects? For SMEs, there is also a specific program of innovation studies and projects.
… in 2006, IWT allocated ca. €250 million in project aid, following a decision by IWT itself and by the public authorities? This amount was spread over ca. 1,600 dossiers.
… in 2004, the Flanders-based company, Sarnoff Europe participated in a IWT project? This allowed them to obtain direct silicon access free of charge, crucial for the development of a prototype, but otherwise impossible to procure for a company of its size.
|
5. Globally recognized human capital
Technology is built by people. They are the ones that come up with the innovative ideas and concepts. They perform the research and develop tomorrow's technologies and applications that propel the technology industry forward and deliver added value to all players in the global economy. Flanders is renowned the world over for the high quality of its human capital in the IT and technology-related industries. Our engineering training programs are among the world's finest. In addition, our people are multilingual and show a high level of sensitivity and tolerance when it comes to other cultures. These are crucial competencies for working in today's global economy.
|
Did you know that…
… Flanders' educational system is world-renowned? This was recently confirmed by the OECD: in its 2006 PISA survey, Flemish 15-year olds achieved impressive results for sciences, mathematics and reading skills.
… with the Vlerick Leuven Ghent Management School, two of Flanders reputed universities have joined forces to develop a business school with international standing? It is ranked among the world's top 25 schools by the British magazine The Economist.
… the Odysseus program encourages eminent researchers who have made a name for themselves abroad to pursue an independent research career at a Flemish university? Top-level or high-potential researchers are offered a position at a Flemish host institute and receive a sizeable amount in start up financing.
|
6. A supporting and encouraging work environment for ICT-related business initiatives
Flanders holds all the trump cards to create a beneficial environment for your ICT or technology company. As numerous international surveys have confirmed, Flanders is a leading region in Europe for inward investment. Key to this is the region's raft of fiscal measures that encourage setting up or expanding operations, performing R&D and much more besides. Combined with the fact that Flanders offers some of the lowest real estate prices in Europe. All these factors provide a conducive environment for any foreign company. And this is not all…
Due to its relatively small size and high density of hi-tech companies, Flanders is the ideal region for all kinds of technological clusters and platforms. The close collaboration between industry and the Flemish universities, colleges of higher education and research institutes plays a pivotal role in this continual effort to foster the innovational strength of the region.
|
Did you know that…
… companies that settle in Flanders can count on fiscal measures expressly tailored to their business objectives and needs? Some recent highlights: the notional interest deduction, 0% registration duties on contributions, application of the parent-subsidiary directive expanded to treaty countries and the appreciated policy with respect to double-taxation treaties.
… in Flanders, companies are able to deduct 80 % of their income derived from patents from their taxable net profit? With this new incentive, Flanders has propelled itself into the lead group of tax-friendly European regions.
… the combination of Flanders' dense population of hi-tech companies has provided a hotbed for the development of various knowledge clusters? These clusters create a head start for their member companies active in Digital Signal Processing, Multimedia, Graphic Communication, Gaming or Telematics.
… the Interdisciplinary institute for BroadBand Technology (IBBT) conducts research on ICT in general and on applications of broadband technology in particular? Applications of IBBT's research can be found in a variety of fields such as eHealth, mobility and logistics, new media and eGovernment.
|
7. Flanders Investment & Trade: support at the start and the expansion of your operations
Providing advice and support to foreign companies wanting to start or expand operations in Flanders is one of the core responsibilities of Flanders Investment & Trade. Thanks to our experienced, multilingual staff we are able to help companies integrate into one of Europe's most prosperous economies efficiently and effectively. Flanders Investment & Trade has 95 offices worldwide: we can assist you wherever you are. And, thanks to our extensive and active network within Flanders, we can also provide you with region-specific information.
|
Did you know that…
… we can identify and suggest optimal locations for your business.
… we serve as a knowledge and contact organization.
… we can provide you with useful information on subsidies and support measures.
… we clarify legal requirements.
|
|