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WELCOME TO MAASTRICHT [EDIT: Maastricht, May 15] The City of Maastricht and the University of Maastricht’s Conference Bureau are holding an ‘international party’ on May 19 from 14:00 on one of the Stiphout Line vessels. It is estimated that 6,000 expatriates work and study in Maastricht....[more]
TOP STORIES [EDIT: Eijsden, May 15] See: SEACON AIR CARGO and CO2 CERTS THREATEN INVESTMENT.http://www.meuse-rhine-journal.com/html/Bus_20060515090100.htm...[more]
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SEACON AIR CARGO [BIZ/LOG: Venlo/Born/Duisburg, May 15] With the advent of Seacon Air Cargo Services, Limburg's (NL) star performer has gone quadramodal and further on the intercontinental front. From July 1, Seacon Logistics (Venlo/Born/Duisburg) will offer its own air cargo...[more]
TOYOTA AT BORN? [IND: Maastricht, May 14] According to an article by Harald Hamprecht in the German magazine 'Automobilwoche', Toyota is looking for a location for a European car plant with an annual capacity of 100,000 vehicles, which would represent an investment an EUR 800m...[more]
ST SERVATIUS' DAY [BIZ: Maastricht, May 13] The Servatius housuing Association held a party for its 12,000 tenants in the Maastricht area on Saturday May 13, St Servatius' day. Guests could visit the city's major attractions, go swimming, taste wine and much else besides. It...[more]
PUNCH STILL INTERESTED IN SMART [BIZ: Brussels, May 11] The Belgian industrial group Punch is still interested in the Dutch automotive NedCar in Born, this was confirmed by Punch boss Guido Dumarey in De Standaard. Last year Punch made an offer for the Born plant. Dumarey said that it was...[more]
EVS RECORD RESULTS [BIZ: Liège, May 11] EVS which designs, manufactures and markets digital equipment and specific software aimed at cinema and television professionals has achieved record figures. Their revenues have doubled and the net profit has almost tripled. The Winter Olympics...[more]
IPO FOR OMS [BIZ: Liège, May 11] The Liège biotech company OncoMethylome Sciences (dedicated to developing gene methylation tests for early cancer detection and personalized treatment decisions) is moving towards its initial public offering on the Euronext exchanges in...[more]
EUROREGIONAL ENVIRONMENT FAIR [BIZ/INFRA: Geilenkirchen, May 11] On Sunday, June 11, there will be a major Euroregion energy fair at the Loherhof Sport Park. Forty companies from the Euroregion have already accepted invitations from the organizers and 1,000 visitors are expected. The focus...[more]
CO2 CERTS THREATEN INVESTMENT [BIZ: Düsseldorf, May 11] Investments of around EUR 10bn in the construction of new gas- and steam-powered (CCG) plants will be uncertain if the new national CO2 Allocation Plan II (in its current form) becomes law and takes effect in the beginning of 2008....[more]
LRM TAKES STAKE IN IDEAXIS [BIZ: Hasselt, May 11] The Hasselt company Ideaxis, which was set up five years ago by David Baeyens and Jo Gielen for the design of websites, has become a multi-niche specialist and is developing its profile as an Internet marketing company. This allows Ideaxis...[more]
ALEMANNIA’S NEW STADIUM [BIZ/LEI: Aachen, May 11] The City of Aachen, Aachen’s Laurensberger Rennverein, and the TSV Alemannia Aachen are developing a new sports location concept that will allow the football club to develop a new Tivoli stadium, its offices, and the infrastructure,...[more]
SIXTH EXPORT DAY, HASSELT [BIZ: Hasselt, May 10] This year there is to be an export day in Hasselt on Tuesday, June 13. Companies operating across borders can come for advice to the Chamber of Commerce in Hasselt between 9:00 and 17:00. This is the first time that there have been cross-border...[more]
AACHEN MARKETING FORUM [BIZ: Aachen, May 10] Professional sport is a great challenge and of great value to marketing and this will be the topic at a meeting of the Aachen Marketing Club, headed ‘Erstliga Marketing’, which will be held on May 18 at 19:00 at the Rider’s Club (in the...[more]
AMB GENERALI GROUP: Q1, 2006 [BIZ: Aachen, May10] • Group net profit rises by 14% to EUR 84 m • Life/health insurers gain further market shares • 190% turnover growth in Riester pensions • Result confirms profit prognosis of EUR 340 m for 2006 The AMB Generali Group closed ...[more]
BUSINESS ENGLISH [BIZ/EDU: Aachen, May 9] The ongoing internationalization of markets and the world of employment makes greater demands of staff areas of competence. The Aachen Chamber of Commerce and Industry, together with the European College of Business Management (ECBM)...[more]
MARKETING IN THE NETHERLANDS [BIZ: Aachen, May 9] The Aachen Chamber of Commerce and Industry and those responsible for the Internet Competence Network project are holding a workshop on the Dutch market. Business consultants from North-Rhine Westphalia and The Netherlands will give their...[more]
CHANGES AT MACINTOSH TOP [BIZ: Maastricht, May 9] After ten years at the helm, seven of which have been as General Manager, Mr. R. Tiemessen (39) has indicated that he wants to retire as General Manager of BelCompany BV as of June 1. The Macintosh board has agreed to this proposal,...[more]
SPINTAY, VERVIERS GO AHEAD [BIZ/GOV: Verviers, May 9] The construction of a business center in the Verviers district of Spintay has taken a step forward. the City Council approved the proposal by 22 to 12 votes, although there was a division between the Socialists and Christian Democrats....[more]
PARSYTEC IMPROVES PROFITS [BIZ: Aachen, May 9] The software manufacturer Parsytec AG, Aachen, had a successful Q1 despite a drop in revenues. Parsytec makes surface inspection systems for steel or paper, and the EBIT was EUR 0.7m as against EUR 0.4m last year. After tax (EAT) it improved...[more]
LIMBURG WASTE COMPANIES MERGE [BIZ: Hasselt, May 8] The Limburg waste utilities Regionale Milieuzorg, Intergememeentelijke Samenwerking voor Verwijdering en Verwerking van Vaste Afvalstoffen, and Intercompost are merging and will be known as ‘Afvalmaatschappij Limburg. This merger has been...[more]
MMM BUSINESS MEDIA [BIZ/MEDIA: Barchon, May 8] MMM is celebrating its 25th anniverary with a new name: MMM Business Media, instead of 'MMM Edition'. The Group has become one of the main B2B media operators covering mobility and an essential corporate service supplier, both in...[more]
LIÈGE EXPORT CLUB [BIZ: Liège, May 6] On May 18 there will be a dinner with the Polish ambassador to Belgium, HE Iwo Byczewski and there will be an opportunity to discuss issues relevant to Poland. The Liège Export Club is making a visit to the TNT headquarters at Milmort ...[more]
LIMBURG ASPARAGUS DINNER [BIZ: The Hague, May 6] During the well-attended Asparagus Dinner at the Press Center in Nieuwspoort (the international press centre for The Netherlands), the Minister of Immigration Affairs Rita Verdonk, and the potential leader of the VVD (liberal) party,...[more]
LIMBURG (B) BUILDING LAND UP 15% [BIZ/INFRA: Hasselt, May 6] Real estate prices shot up in Belgian Limburg last year, with housing prices going up by 20% and apartments by 13%, although the regional differences were considerable. Building land was 15% more expensive. In the Hasselt conurbation,...[more]
DESIGN FLANDERS [BIZ: Brussels, May 5] VLAO will also have the job of integrating the Design Flanders organization into its activities to assist with innovation, and this will also mean non-technological innovation, such as design, product development, etc. Design Flanders...[more]
CUTTING BELGIAN RED TAPE [BIZ: Brussels, May 5] From the beginning of April the Flemish agency for business VLAO has been assisting business in their search for information and assistance in their relations with government and its various branches. The VLAO will provide a one-stop-shop...[more]
INTER-NED: MAY [BIZ: Düsseldorf, May 5] The new INTER-NED Newsletter relating to activities between The Netherlands and North-Rhine Westphalia includes topics on:1. The organization of vacations in the Dutch construction sector 2. The Netherlands is a strong economy ...[more]
ETIC LABEL [BIZ: Liège, May 5] In October 2004 at the ‘Initiatives’ Fair in Liège many local businesses specializing in IT joined an E-competence club run by the SPI+ development company and launched the eTIC label. Now 200 businesses have this label, 81 of which are in...[more]
INTEROST AND INTERMOSANE [BIZ: Amel, May 5] The regional minister Courard in Belgium would like to see a merger between the network power and cable utility, Interost and the Liège company Intermosane. The chairman of the Board of Interost, Guido Pauels, does not regard this as being...[more]
500 FORD S-MAX CARS SOLD [BIZ: Genk, May 5] The first 500 Ford S-Max cars produced in Limburg have been sold before they reach the showrooms. This is a promising indication. It’s 30 years since the company could boast such positive pre-sales figures, and in that case it was the legendary...[more]
EON RUHRGAS MUST OPEN NETWORK [BIZ/INFRA: Düsseldorf, May 5] The German Federal Agency responsible has required Eon Ruhrgas to provide transport capacity for gas to a competitor. This decision is a move by the agency to encourage competition. The Federal Agency regarded the gas release programs...[more]
BEKAERT TAKES OVER ALUHEAT [BIZ: Hasselt, May 5] Bekaert, the Belgian specialist in advanced materials and coating, is taking over the Venlo-based Limburg company, Aluheat, for a price of EUR 4m. Aluheat is a specialist in the latest condensing boiler technology for heating applications....[more]
CONTINENTAL PLANS TAKEOVERS [BIZ: Hanover/Aachen, May 5] Continental, the automotive supplier with a major plant in Aachen, is planning further take-overs and has Goodyear Engineered Products, part of the US tire company, in its sights. Goodyear Engineered Products produces pneumatic suspension...[more]
7,000 WALLOON AIRPORT JOBS [BIZ: Brussels, May 4] The Walloon airport should be able to create 7,000 new jobs through 2015, according to the Brussels paper Le Soir, on the basis of a study by Arthur D. Little (who was commissioned by the Walloon region). This would mean between 2,500...[more]
NEXANS OPGLABBEEK TO CLOSE [BIZ: Hasselt, May 4] Nexans, the technology company, is closing its business in Opglabbeek. This means a loss of 128 jobs. Copper cables for the telecom industry were produced at this company and specifically ADSL interior cables. The management blamed competition ...[more]
GERMAN LASER TECH POTENTIAL [BIZ/SCI-TECH: Aachen, May 4] Hardening alloys, coating, bending, welding, drilling, cleaning, cutting, soldering, joining: it’s all grist to the mill in the world of the laser — the universal machine tool for industrial production. And it is pure economic potential,...[more]
AIXTRON RISING [BIZ: Aachen, May 4] After a bad year in 2005, this year has seen MOCVD specialist Aixtron improve, with its order book up by 40% in Q1, 2006, at EUR 31.7m. The existing orders were at EUR 61.8m as against EUR 55.9m for 2005. The gross margin at 38% was virtually...[more]
TNT Q1 RESULTS 2006 [BIZ: Amsterdam, May 3] The company reported a strong operating income growth in Q1. Focus strategy is well on track and measures have been announced to reduce overhead costs - 14.2% operating income growth - Operating income up 30.5% in Express...[more]
AMINOLABS [BIZ: Hasselt, May 3] Aminolabs, the producer of food supplements, is investing EUR 6m in the construction of a new complex on the Hasselt Research Campus. The investment will also create a few dozen jobs, according to the company. There is going to be a special...[more]
DIRK SMEETS AT QUALIBOUW [BIZ: Heusden-Zolder, May 2] The quality label of the construction company, Qualibouw, has a new face. Dirk Smeets (37) is succeeding Karina Ramaekers. Qualibouw is a project that falls under the Scientific and Technical Center for the Construction Industry...[more]
L1 AWARDS: BONNEMA STIENSTRA [BIZ: Heerlen, May 2] Bonnema Stienstra, the real estate company, recently won two prizes at the L1 Advertising Award Gala. In the radio category the MD Kor Bonnema won Silver for a campaign that the company has been running since January to make people aware...[more]
WALTER THIESSEN AMV BOSS [BIZ: Aachen, May 2] With effect from June 1, 2006, there will be a change at the top of the Supervisory Boards of the two AachenMünchener companies. Following his 70th birthday on May 6, Dr. Michael Kalka will hand the Chairman's office over to someone younger...[more]
TNT SELLS IDCF [BIZ: Amsterdam, May 2] TNT NV and WE International BV (WE) have announced that they’ve completed the sale of ID Company Fashion BV (IDCF). Both parties agreed not to disclose financial details. TNT decided to divest IDCF as the company's activities are non-core...[more]
SATELLITE NETWORK IN BRUSSELS [BIZ/SCI-TECH: Brussels, May 2] There is to be a networking event called INVESaT to bridge the gap between innovative business and investors in the emerging IT markets for satellite applications — an area of strength in Liège. This will take place in Brussels...[more]
MORE GROWTH AT Q-PARK [BIZ: Maastricht, May 2] The annual report by Q-Park’s Executive Board shows that in 2005, the European parking company’s turnover rose to EUR 234m (EUR 201m in 2004), a 16% increase achieved by means of organic growth and acquisitions. The number of parking...[more]
VAN MERKSTEIJN INVESTS EUR 40M [BIZ: Overpelt, May 2] Van Merksteijn is investing EUR 40m in a new manufacturing plant in Overpelt, which will initially employ 60 people. Van Merksteijn BV was the first company in The Netherlands to specialize in producing standard mesh reinforcement and...[more]
FDI IN MEUSE-RHINE [BIZ: Aachen, May 2] In 2005, a large number of foreign companies (see below) chose the Meuse-Rhine Triangle as a new business location. Others expanded existing facilities in the Triangle to support their growth at the heart of Europe.These international ...[more]
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DELAY ON THE BUSCH TUNNEL [LOG: Liège/Aachen, May 12] Ulrike Mockel, in the Grenz Echo, reports that there is to be a delay in the upgrading of the Busch Tunnel, a vital link in the ICE And TGV lines between Belgium and Germany. This means that the tunnel between Kelmis and Aachen has...[more]
RAIL4CHEM TO POLAND [LOG: Brussels, May 5] The German private railway company Rail4Chem has started a weekly car freight train from Zeebrugge to Poland. This makes the company the fourth rail company that can operate on the Belgian railways. In addition to the NMBS there is the...[more]
NIJS LOGISTICS INVESTS IN EURO 5 [LOG: Lommel, May 3] The Nijs logistics group, with its headquarters in Lommel, has bought ten new trucks and trailers that are equipped with the Euro 5 environment-friendly engine. These engines, which will be required from 2009 in the context of environmental...[more]
LIEGE AIRPORT FLIGHTS [LOG: Liège, May 3] The low-cost Irish airline Aer Arann will not be flying between Liège and London/Birmingham/Lorient and has decided to delay flights for an unspecified period. According to a company spokesman at Arann, the problem has to do with the availability...[more]
ARDENNES LOGISTICS PARK [LOG: Barchon, May 2] Work has started on the future Ardennes Logistics Park near Neufchâteau at the intersection of the E411 and E25 highways. The park will be assigned to one of the five areas of competition in the Walloon Marshall Plan. It will have a surface...[more]
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INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION [EDU: Ulestraten, May 14] Nicola Brown, (director, Rhein-Maaslands Centre for International Education) writes: St. Leonhard’s Gymnasium, located in the center of Aachen, recently received authorization from the International Baccalaureate Organization to...[more]
NEW CULTURE CLUSTER IN HEERLEN [GOV: Heerlen, May 11] After a number of years of preparation and planning the demolition of old buildings and the development of a new infrastructure, in mid-May the building for the culture cluster or arts cluster was initiated in Heerlen. In August there...[more]
E-MBA: TEN YEARS IN LIMBURG [EDU: Maastricht, May 10] The first MBA program involving e-learning combined with contact learning has been in existence for ten years. The Euro*MBA is an international MBA course of the European Consortium, to which the Open University of The Netherlands and,...[more]
PARKSTAD GOVERNANCE [GOV: Heerlen, May 9] The council and board of Parkstad have been changed. This is following the local elections in March, but also following the establishment of Parkstad as a WGR+ region that will be eligible for more government assistance and grants. The...[more]
RWTH SUMMER SEMESTER [EDU: Aachen, May 8] Aachen’s RWTH University has demonstrated an increased interest in the science subjects. This summer semester, information sciences saw an increase of 15% in those registering. The total of students at the university increased by 4% and...[more]
AACHEN PEACE PRIZE 2006 [GOV: Aachen, May 8] The Aachen Peace Prize goes to the Bueren Association for ‘Help to people in custody awaiting Deportation’. The award values the struggle of the association against this practice and its support for imprisoned refugees. The Aachen Peace...[more]
JACQUES IZOARD [EDU: Liège, May 8] On May 17 the University of Liège is organizing a study day dedicated to the Liège poet Jacques Izoard. The day will be headed ‘Izoard The Poetry’. There are two reasons for celebrating this man and his work: the first is that he is 70 this...[more]
HIGHER EDUCATION IN EUROPE [EDU: Heerlen, May 7] On Monday, May 15 the Hogeschool Zuyd is celebrating its fifth anniversary with a series on symposia on international developments in education and the position of Hogeschool Zuyd in Meuse-Rhine. The theme for the day is ‘Higher Education...[more]
MEUSE-RHINE POLICE ACTION [GOV: Hasselt, May 6] Recently, the police in Meuse-Rhine carried out a joint campaign against prostitution and human trafficking. In the Hasselt district, 11 women of Eastern European and African origin were arrested because their papers were not in order....[more]
MEDIA MEDAL: KRYSTYNA JANDA [EDU/GOV: Aachen, May 5] The Polish actress Krystyna Janda will receive this year’s Charlemagne Medal for the European Media. She is the sixth winner of this important media prize, following Lord Weidenfeld of Chelsea, Cees Nooteboom, Jan Mojto, Jean-Jaques...[more]
SKÅL LIMBURG TOURISM AWARD [GOV/LEI: Hasselt, May 5] The governor of Limburg, Steve Stevaert, awarded the Skål tourism award to his predecessor Hilde Houben-Bertrand on Wednesday, May 10, at 19:00 in Hasselt. The award goes to Mrs. Houben-Bertrand for of her service to tourism. Her closeness...[more]
BSC: EUROPEAN PUBLIC HEALTH [EDU: Maastricht, May 5] The University of Maastricht has been granted permission to start the new bachelor’s program in European Public Health (EPH) in September 2006. The Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science recently announced that the proposed program...[more]
LAMBERTZ FOR MOVE TO EUPEN [GOV: Eupen, May 4] The decision, taken at the beginning of the week, to move the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion’s HQ from Maastricht to Eupen was welcomed by the Prime Minister of the Germany-speaking region. The government, and, in particular, PM Lambertz, had been...[more]
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SPI+ AND GIGA AT BIO [LIFE-SCI: Liège, May 8] In April, a SPI+ consultant again attended the Annual International Convention of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) in Chicago. As was the case at earlier BIOs, Laurence Slangen, the Foreign Business Attache from SPI+ Liège...[more]
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PAC 2 FUTURE AIMS AT 3,000KM [SCI-TECH: Liège, May 11] PAC 2 FUTURE, the prototype vehicle produced by the University of Liège, will be taking part in the Shell Eco-Marathon 2006 at the French Nogaro circuit on May 20 and 21. For the third year in succession, it will be attempting to meet...[more]
THE ORIGIN OF THE WORLD [SCI-TECH: Jülich, May 10] In the presence of the Innovation Minister, Prof. Andreas Pinkwart, the Research Center at Jülich and The Netherlands Foundation for Research and Astronomy (ASTRON) signed a cooperation contract that is to strengthen the infrastructure...[more]
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A BOOKISH WEEKEND [LEI: Maastricht, May 12] The Jan van Eyck Academy is holding a book fair, with a focus on art books and books about artists, on May 20 through 21 at the Academy in Maastricht....[more]
SUMMER OPERA AT ALDEN BIESEN [LEI: Alden Biesen, May 11] This year’s ninth summer opera festival at Alden Beisen will take place in June, with the principal production being Puccini’s ‘La Boheme’, directed by Carlos Wagner with musical direction by Koen Kessels and Daniel Gazon.There ...[more]
MUEHLNER TEAM (1) NUERBURGRING [LEI: Spa-Francorchamps, May 10] The Spa-Francorchamps based Mühlner Motorsport Team is running in the Porsche Michelin Supercup in the Belgian national colors with the support of the Belgian Porsche importers D’Ieteren. The third round of the championship...[more]
ARTIPARTI [LEI: Maastricht, May 10] The ArtiParti Foundation is instituting a new prize, the APartPrize 2006. The objective is to help starting artists and to offer them a show place. On May 1, 140 participants were recorded. A jury will select 40 works from among these...[more]
VOLLEYBALL IN ROERMOND [LEI: Roermond, May 10] The World Championship Volleyball for standing and seated for men and women is to be held again in Roermond in Limburg, in the Jo Gerris Hall. Partners in this World Cup are NebasNsg and WOVD. The world championship includes three separate...[more]
YVON LAMBERT [LEI: Aachen, May 10] To mark the award of the Charlemagne Prize to the prime minister of Luxembourg, Jean-Claude Juncker, the Suermondt-Ludwig Museum and the International Charlemagne Prize Foundation will be holding an exhibition of the work of the Luxembourg...[more]
EUROREGIONAL ANTIQUARIES [LEI: Maastricht, May 10] The Fifth Euroregional Antiquaries Fair for Books and Prints will be held at the Grand Hotel de l'Empereur in Maastricht on June 10 and 11, from 11.00 through 17.00hrs. The University and The Centre Céramique are assiting with the exhibition. (Source:...[more]
CZECH BOOK FROM MAASTRICHT [LEI: Maastricht, May 9] Frans Stoks, the Maastricht-based author, journalist (and violinist), has announced the publication of his new travel guide to the Czech Republic. It costs EUR 19.95 and is available in the Dominicus series — see the link below. You...[more]
GOLF ACROSS THE MEUSE [LEI: Maastricht, May 8] On May 14, 2006, the Maastricht, Sans Frontières Kiwanis Club held a spectacular golf event in which beginners and advanced players were invited to drive their balls across the River Meuse. The biggest challenge was to reach the flag...[more]
VIVA ITALIA 08 [LEI: Malmedy, May 8] On May 27 at 20:30 the Euro Symphonic Orchestra, led by Pascal Peiffer, will be taking to the stage at the Fraternité in Malmedy for a special concert devoted to the most beautiful Italian melodies, in particular the repertoire of one of...[more]
MUEHLNER (2) AT IMOLA [LEI: Spa-Francorchamps, May 7] The Spa-Francorchamps-based Mühlner Motorsport Team is competing in the Porsche Michelin Supercup in the Belgian national colors with the support of the Belgian Porsche importers D’Ieteren. Two Monaco-based Belgian drivers...[more]
JAZZ MAASTRICHT JUNE PROGRAM [LEI: Maastricht, May 7] The cost for admission is EUR 5 (EUR 2 for club members) and sessions at Edd’s are free.The program for June is as follows: Grand Café De Tramhalte, Cannerplein 1, Maastricht: Every Monday (22:00 hr): Jam Session with combo ...[more]
MUSEUM PROGRAMS [LEI: Liège, May 7] At the Musée de l'Art Wallon (Museum of Walloon Art) there is ‘Plaisirs à l'Italienne’. On Saturday, May 20, the museum will be open until midnight, and on Sunday, May 21, it will be open from 11:00 to 16:30. Admission is free (except for...[more]
TALENTED YOUNG VIOLINISTS [LEI/EDU: Maastricht, May 2] Six young talented violinists from the Maastricht Conservatory of Music will compete on May 20 at 20:00 for the Music Award of EUR 4,500. The professional jury will include John Floore (LSO), Ilya Grubert, Roely Pfund, and Jaring...[more]
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