WEF Davos: "Despite uncertainties, Flanders faces the future with confidence"

On 20 January, Minister-president Geert Bourgeois returned from the World Economic Forum in Davos as a happy man. The Minister-president tried to get a detailed picture of the views of the economic world on the global challenges ahead.

He met with twenty managers (from amongst others HP, Liberty Global, Fujitsu, BASF, Adecco, ...) and attended seminars on the Brexit and the global energy outlook. He also spoke with renowned professors such as Peter Piot.

Minister-president Bourgeois seized the opportunity to promote Flanders and could do so thanks to the good investment figures (figures Flanders Investment and Trade). Therefore, the Flemish top position in the field of smart logistics and solution-driven technology or as "hot spot" for life sciences could be emphasized. Furthermore, the specialization in recycling and circular economy were put forward. And he zoomed in on the fourth industrial revolution in Flanders.

The many and interesting contacts, which for the first time took place in the private Flanders Room, were encouraging, according Minister-president Bourgeois:  "Flanders looks to the future challenges with confidence. We know what our interests are and share our objectives in full transparency. Flanders has an open economy that lives on export. We wish to raise no walls, but be part of a global economy with a positive future. This vision was appreciated during all my contacts in Davos."