BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
BUSINESS PARK SPECIALS
[BIZ: Sittard, October 24]
Lm Magazine publishes an overview of
business parks in Limburg in its October issue. It gives the name, the location, the gross
area and the unused capacity on the site. This is extremely useful, though modest when
compared with the 306 page supplement provided by Liège Province d'Europe in its May/June
issue no 275. Sponsored by SPI+, the Liège development company, their supplement is
quadrilingual (Dutch, English, French and German). It provides information on the gross
area, area remaining for development, the zoning category, specific industrial focus, the
names of companies already on site and maps.
http://www.lmmagazine.nl
http://www.lpe.be/
WHIZ KIDS GATHER
[BIZ: Aachen/Heerlen, October 17]
Young members of the Aachen Chamber, the
"jonge Bedrijven Societeit", from the Netherlands and members of the "Corio
League" in Heerlen, got together recently to exchange ideas and develop informal
contacts. The program began with a tour around CADAC group headquarters at Nieuw
Eyckholt, in Heerlen, where Jan Baggen, the President of CADAC and the Dutch manager of
the year for 1998, explained the Euroregion-based strategy of his CAD-software company for
the region. http://www.cadac.nl
SONY MOVES TO HEERLEN
[BIZ: Heerlen, October 11]
Sony will be opening a new call center in
January 2001 in Heerlen. The Sony Customer Contact Center will deal with customers from
Germany, France and Italy. The advantages of the state-of-the-art Coriopolis Business Park
and its excellent location between Amsterdam and Brussels were decisive in the choice. It
was facilitated by the Limburg Development Company (LIOF), the Province of Limburg, the
City of Heerlen and the Stienstra Real Estate Corp. Sony joins a group of global call
center players who have recently located in South Limburg. They include Mercedes-Benz CAC,
Swiss Bankers UBS and DHL. http://www.liof.nl/
AUTOMOTIVE AACHEN
[IND: Aachen, October 9]
The Chamber of Commerce in Aachen has
produced a free 68-page German-language booklet, cataloguing the automotive R&D
organizations and parts suppliers in the Aachen region. The brochure provides interested
parties with a unique guide to the industry. It can be obtained free from the Chamber.
Contact Mrs. Diana Wilden: 00 49 2414460-263. http://www.ihk-aachen.de/Presse/pre00111.htm
NEW LOCATION FOR MAASTRICHT
CHAMBER
[BIZ: Maastricht, October 2]
The Chamber of Commerce for South Limburg
has moved into its new 50m high office building at the Geusselt Business Park in
Maastricht. The Chamber is renting the ground and first floors in the building. This easy
access new location has free parking in front of the building. http://www.maastricht.kvk.nl
MECC STRATEGY IN MEUSE-RHINE
[BIZ: Maastricht, October]
The Maastricht Exhibition and Congress
Center (MECC) and the Euroregional Employers Association (SWV) have found a permanent home
for their biennial Euroregional Contact trade fair for industrial suppliers at the MECC.
Euregio Contact 2001 will be held April 4 through 6, 2001. At the MECC, suppliers and
subcontractors meet buyers in the metal working industries, drive technology,
electro-technology, hydraulics and pneumatics, packaging, industrial equipment production,
engineering plastics and rubber, surface treatment and engineering and production
software. Employers' organizations involved include the Limburg Employers' Association
(LWV), Belgian Limburg Employers' Association (VKW), Employers' Association for the Aachen
Area (VUV), Employers' Association for Eupen-Malmedy-St.Vith (AAV) and the Walloon
Employers' Association (UWEL). http://www.mecc.nl
GLOBAL SHOWCASE AT CHATEAU ST-GERLACH
[BIZ: Maastricht, October]
Chateau Saint-Gerlach recently hosted the
launch of the new Opel Corsa model and an exhibition of Jaeger-LeCoultre watches from
Switzerland, a fitting accompaniment to the 20th anniversary of the Oostwegel Chateau
Hotel empire, celebrated last month at Chateau Erenstein. Opel, the biggest selling marque
in the Netherlands, presented the whole new Corsa range including its new clutch-free
transmission. It welcomed the world's press to a specially constructed press pavilion on
the lawn in front of the chateau. Jaeger-LeCoultre, makers of the elegant Reverso watch,
originally designed for polo- playing British officers in India, displayed a traveling
museum collection of their company's exquisite products, including a 1.38mm thin pocket
watch movement. The show was co-hosted by Leon Martens, the well-known Maastricht
jeweller. http://www.chateauhotels.nl/
.
DSM TO BECOME A SPECIALTY COMPANY
[IND: Heerlen, September 28]
By the year 2005, DSM wants to be among the
world's leading specialty chemical companies with high added values, strong growth and
stable results. It is going to specialize in biochemical and chemical specialties and
performance materials. DSM's strategy, 'vision 2005, focus and value' will be to
concentrate on activities that offer higher added value and are less sensitive to economic
cycles. As far as possible, the company will seek growth in this direction while working
with petrochemical activities. In five years, the company expects to achieve sales of EUR
10bn; 80% in specialties, advanced chemicals, biotech products and performance materials.
It all means a move away from bulk and seems to be part of a trend (see Akzo). http://www.dsm.nl
DUTCH-GERMAN BUSINESS
CLUB
[BIZ: Aachen/Maastricht, May 26]
A Dutch-German business club has been
established by the Chambers of Industry in Aachen and Maastricht, to encourage personal
contact between business in the Aachen and south Limburg regions. In March of this year,
about 30 members met to hear Professor Helmut Breuer, the authority on the region, give an
informative and amusing talk. Aachen Chamber executive, Frank Malis, has a watching brief
on this operation and six annual meetings have been proposed, to be held in both
subregions.
http://www.ihk-aachen.de/Presse/pre00068.htm
LOGISTICS AND INFRASTRUCTURE
MAASTRICHT- MILAN BY AIR EXEL
[LOG: Maastricht, October 24]
KLM Exel starts scheduled weekday flights
to Milan, Malpensa, on Monday, November 6. Return flights to Milan through January 31,
2001 will be at a special introductory weekend rate of EUR 159. The new service will be
able to compete with flights from Brussels and Duesseldorf. The aircraft, an Embraer 145,
seating 49 passengers, will take 70 minutes for the trip. The new service complements KLM
Exel's 6 weekly flights to Amsterdam, 4 to London Stansted and 3 to Munich. http://www.klm-exel.nl/
MAASTRICHT BUILDS HOMES IN LIÈGE
[INFRA: Maastricht, October 10]
Maastricht's Saint Servatius Housing Trust
plans to build 100 houses in the north of Liège and to refurbish 20-30 in the southwest.
MD L. Verzijlbergh of Saint Servatius expects to get the final go ahead from the city of
Liège by the end of the month. Construction is to start next year. He will be giving a
helping hand to a Liège trust. The trust will also be providing some less expensive
housing. This may also be welcome to people currently being attracted to Maastricht by
employment opportunities, but not finding affordable accommodation. The Dutch Ministry of
Planning and the Environment (VROM) has approved the project. http://www.servatius.nl/framepag.html
9,000 TONNERS ON THE ALBERT CANAL
[LOG: Liège, October 7]
The Flemish and Walloon regions have
decided to enlarge the Albert Canal to allow for barges carrying up to 9,000 tons between
Wijnegem and Antwerp. This will ensure passage for these large vessels towards the
Rhine-Scheldt link. The ports of Liège and Antwerp have a shared interest in enlarging
the Albert Canal. The project is expected to take some 10 years and cost EUR 74.4m, one
third to be paid by the Walloon side. The link will not, however, be functional until the
obstacles, formed by three bridges and one lock, on the last 9 km to the Port of Antwerp,
have been negotiated. Another problem is the Sunday ban on river traffic in Flanders and
high toll costs (EUR 330 between Liège and Antwerp). Meanwhile, at Lanaye, following
agreement in principle with the Dutch, who have 10% of the lock surface on their
territory, plans are afoot to widen the lock to 25m. This will allow passage for deeper
draught vessels to Rotterdam, the Rhine and points east. Estimated completion is for 2005,
and cost at EUR 7.4m, putting the Port of Liège back in contention in the top inland port
stakes. http://www.liegeonline.be/fr/entr/pal.html
LIÈGE - PARIS IN 2 OR 3 HOURS
[LOG: Liège, September 13]
The Thalys (TGV) high-speed train will
leave Aachen at 07:14hrs and arrive in Paris North at 10:35. However, this won't happen
until 2005. Currently Thalys takes 3 hours 16 minutes from Aachen to Paris and 2 hours 35
minutes from Liège - 7 times daily. September 24 saw a fourth connection between Liège
and Paris via Namur, Charleroi and Mons instead of Brussels; increasing traveling time to
3 hours but, allowing passengers to leave Liège at 06:48 and be in Paris at 09:47hrs.
http://www.thalys.com/uk/ind_tha.htm
2.8 MILLION BUS FOR FREE
IN HASSELT
[LOG: Hasselt, September]
Since 1997 people have been able to travel
free by bus in Hasselt. In 1999, 2.8 million people traveled free, as against 300,000
annually when fares were charged. The number of buses has been increased from 8 to 27,
services from 4 to 9 and trips per day from 84 to 480. The project has also provided 36
new jobs for bus drivers. The bus company is publicly owned and the state pays the bill.
The city of Hasselt shelled out EUR 775,000 for public transport last year. Source: Jos
Cortenraad, Kamerkrant.
http://www.maastricht.kvk.nl
GOVERNMENT AND
EDUCATION
EUROMILLIONS FOR MEUSE-RHINE
[GOV: Brussels, October 14]
European funding under the Objective III,
INTERREGional and transnational guidelines will provide EUR 49m+ for Meuse-Rhine in the
period 2000-2006 out of an EU budget total of EUR 4.8bn, to assist project start-ups with
up to 50% of the costs. Funding criteria include at least two project members from two
Meuse-Rhine regions and, where possible, partners from all five; and benefit to the
regional economic, social or cultural structure. Eligible activities are economic and
sci-tech cooperation, the labour market, employee-qualification upgrades, environmental
protection, the promotion of social integration, the improvement of the physical
infrastructure and technological assistance. Grants are no longer subject to the red tape
of the past and the principle of subsidiarity will be applied - i.e. decisions will be
taken at the lowest possible level. http://www.eubusiness.com
JUERGEN ROTERS FOR PRESIDENT
[GOV: Eupen, October 11]
Juergen Roters, the Regierungspraesident
[Governor] in Cologne, which includes the Aachen region, will be the next President of the
Euroregion. Mr Roters, formerly a police official in Cologne, has expressed an interest in
closer cooperation among the subregions, particularly in highway construction, waste water
processing, waste processing, housing and industrial policy and travel from home to work.
"Cross-border cooperation has to start with the everyday problems", says Roters.
http://www.aachenerzeitung.de
THE BALL-PLAYERS IN BELGIAN POLITICS
[GOV: Eupen/Hasselt/Liège, October
9]
Belgian communal election results in the
Euroregion confirmed the relatively youthful basketball-playing lawyer, Willy Demeyer, as
mayor of Liège with a large personal preference vote (12,414) and gave him an experienced
financial anchorman in veteran Walloon politician, William Ancion. There was an upset in
Eupen, capital of German-speaking East Belgium, where long-time mayor (24 years) Fred
Evers' Liberal (PFF) party lost a couple of seats, losing him his job and changing the
balance of the coalition. This is now formed by the Christian Democrats (CSP) and the
German-speaking party (PDB). Tall, distinguished-looking Mr Evers is succeeded as mayor by
ENT specialist, Dr Elmar Keutgen (CSP), who played in goal for the local football team. In
Hasselt, Flemish vice-president, Steve Stevaert (SP) added two Christian democrats to the
council, despite the fact that his Socialist-Green coalition received an absolute majority
(51.4%). His list included Hilde Claes, daughter of Willy.
http://www.lalibrebelgique.be
EUROPEAN EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
[GOV: Maastricht, October]
There is a unique network of more than 500
Euro consultants in the European Union who specialize in providing information and advice
on cross border recruiting. They can be found at public employment organizations, trade
unions, and also universities. Consultants in: Aachen: Mr Kerssebaum. Tel: 0049 2402965633
Eupen: Mr Schaaf. Tel: 0032 87742180 Maastricht: Mr Kerkhoff. Tel: 0031 433291330 Lanaken:
Mr Martens. Tel: 0032 89718241. Liège: Mrs Lemaire Tel: 0032 43449249
http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/elm/eures/index.htm
CULTURAL CAPITAL STATUS IN 2018?
[GOV: Maastricht, October]
The cities of Aachen, Liège, Maastricht,
Hasselt and Heerlen had been proposed as the cultural capital of Europe for 2006. As
Rotterdam will be Europe's cultural capital next year, this is no longer possible because
the Netherlands doesn't qualify for cultural capital status again until 2018. http://culture.coe.int/
2 LIMBURGS TO LINK IN TRANSNATIONAL
U.
[EDU: Maastricht, September 28]
The University of Maastricht (UM) in
Netherlands' Limburg and the Limburg University Center (LUC) at Diepenbeek, Belgium are
joining forces to establish a Transnational University (TUL). The document authorizing
cooperation should be signed before Christmas, prior to establishment of the TUL as a
legal entity. There will be three areas of cooperation: ICT including mathematics,
information science and information technology, the life sciences and education. http://www.observant.unimaas.nl
CHRISTIAN DEMOCRAT SYNERGY
[GOV: Eynatten, September 18]
The Christian Democratic parties: CDU in
Germany, CSP and PSC in the Walloon region, CVP in Flanders and CDA in the Netherlands are
all partners in the European Peoples Party (EVP). They have joined forces in the region to
cooperate on education, politics, economics, traffic, health policy and the harmonization
of laws. In education policy, they will be promoting a trilingual base. The group
comprises 150 franchised delegates, 50 from the Netherlands, 50 from Belgium and 50 from
Germany.
http://www.aachenerzeitung.de
LEAN AND MEAN
MEUSE-RHINE COUNCIL?
[GOV: Maastricht, June 23]
The new Meuse-Rhine council will have two
chambers with 81 members instead of the current 118. Fifty-one will sit in the first
chamber as representatives of political parties. The second chamber, with 30 members, will
consist of representatives of community organizations. Four committees will cover topics
ranging from the economy and the environment through to a regional identity. The next
council meeting is November 23 and the changes should have been made by the New Year.
Long-term objectives of the council are direct elections and creation of a public law
entity able to take decisions and implement them. The current structure is supported by EU
funds through to 2006.
http://www.euregio-mr.org
MEDICINE AND TECHNOLOGY
EUROBILLION PROJECT FOR JUELICH?
[TECH: Juelich, October 24]
The town of Juelich hosted the government
of North-Rhine-Westphalia and Premier Wolfgang Clement (SPD) at the citadel October 24.
Home to the largest research community in Germany, with 4000+ scientists, Juelich is in
the limelight because the government hopes it will be the site for the European Spallation
Neutron Source (ESS). The world´s most powerful pulsed neutron source, ESS, will be the
21st century neutron users' facility for research in physics, chemistry, biology,
materials science and other fields. Construction of the spallation source means investment
at the level of EUR 1.02bn. It will also create 100 new jobs. There are, however, other
parties competing for the prize, from France, Scandinavia and also Greifswald. http://www.kfa-juelich.de/ess/
INTRACARDIAC PUMP WINS AACHEN PRIZE
[MED: Aachen, October 20]
Impella Cardiotechnik AG's CEO, Dr Rolf
Sammler, has received the Innovation Prize of the City of Aachen, a sum of EUR 5.1m, for
the new intracardiac pump developed by the company. The pump (diameter 6.4mm) can be
introduced into the heart via a vein or artery. In a bypass operation, two intracardial
pumps can take over the heart's pumping function without extra-corporal circulation.
Impella, a university starter company, based on a 4-strong research group, started a
couple of years ago and has since grown to 80. http://www.impella.com
ALCATEL INVESTS EUR 6.2m IN
OPGLABBEEK
[ICT: Opglabbeek, October 15]
Telecommunications giant Alcatel is going
to make a major investment in Opglabbeek, where they make data transmission cables. EUR
6.2m will be used next year to expand the production capacity. This should mean an
increase in turnover from EUR 15m in 1999 to EUR 40m in 2001. Cables are for telephone and
Internet connection to private homes and are produced for Belgacom, Siemens, Lucent as
well as Alcatel. Only 16,000m² of their 60,000m² site has been built on, so there is
room for expansion, particularly for the ASDL products. In two years time turnover in that
segment should rise from zero to EUR 12.4m. It is interesting to note that Belguim seems
to be moving ahead more quickly with ASDL than the Netherlands at this time. Though T-DSL
has been going for some time.
http://www.hbvl.be
http://www.internetnews.com/intl-news/article/0,1087,6_178841,00.html
FASIL'S FIRST NEWSLETTER
[ICT: Liège, October]
Fasil is an agency concerned with funding
and promoting ICT activity in the Meuse-Vesdre basin, in the context of Objective II
European funds 2000 through 2006. Their newsletter lists projects with which they are
involved and can be obtained at the link below. http://www.liegeonline.be/fasil/newsfasil.htm
LIOF INVESTS IN FLYCATCHER
[ICT: Maastricht, September 25]
LIOF recently became a stakeholder in
Flycatcher Internet Researcher. Flycatcher is a new type of business that carries out
market research with the help of the Internet. The bureau has some ingenious Japanese
software which makes it possible to reach a select population in a very short period of
time. The advantage of research via the Internet as against traditional methods is speed,
low cost and a high response rate. The new company has close links with the University of
Maastricht. LIOF will be taking a 25% stake.
http://www.liof.nl/
CARE CROSSES BORDERS
[MED: Maastricht, September 14]
Custom Care Integration (IZOM), a project to improve access
to health care facilities in the Euroregion, has been established in Meuse-Rhine. From
October 1, 2000, those publicly insured for medical expenses in Belgium, the Netherlands
and Germany have been able to access care across the borders more easily. Cross border
care options are primary and specialist medical care, medication and hospitalization,
where this is required as a result of treatment. Patients wishing to be treated across the
border have to request an information folder and patient passport. They will then receive
the required E112 form.
http://www.euregio-mr.org
http://www.vms.hr/cmj/1999/4002/400219.htm
LEISURE
A TRENCHERMAN'S NOTES
[LEI: Eijsden, October 25]
Each issue of Meuse-Rhine Journal will
include notes on the gastronomic scene in the region. In an area with more than 21
Michelin-starred restaurants, this is clearly a must. This autumn saw the accession of
Restaurant La Cloche in Neeroeteren-Maaseik and Restaurant Manjefiek in Maastricht, to the
Relais du Centre. At Gala in Aachen, the Sommelier claims to be able to find a German wine
fit to accompany any dish. In Liège, As Ouhés, now owned by Robert Lesenne, seems to be
a good place for lunch. It recently handled an invasion by harassed grandparents, two
toddlers, a stroller and a Jack Russell, in addition to its business clients, with great
aplomb. By the way, should you be seeking solace in the woods round Eupen, you could
always look in at the Langesthaler Muehle for a change of air.
http://www.webcontentnow.com
60,000 ADVANCE BOOKINGS FOR PICASSO
[LEI: Liège, October 23]
The major Picasso exhibition at the Salle
Saint-Georges in Liège will run through January 31, 2001. Starting with 'La Famille
Soler', representative of Picasso's blue period, the only one in a publicly held
collection in Belgium (MAMAC, Liège); a thematic exhibition takes the visitor through the
major periods of Picasso's oeuvre, illustrated by 150 works, including paintings,
sculptures and drawings. The show follows in the tradition of the Monet, Gaugin and
Chagall exhibitions held in Liège and has already attracted 60,000 reservations. There
are also tourist packages for those who want to combine the exhibition with a visit to the
historic City of Liège and its museums. Truly excellent guided tours are provided in
French, Dutch, German or English.
http://www.ulg.ac.be/picasso
ILSE FRANKENTHAL PRIZE
[LEI: Brunssum, October 14]
The Belgian artist Virginie Rocourt (26),
from Amay near Liège, has won the Ilse Frankenthal Euroregional Graphics Prize for 2000
for her work, entitled: 'Terril No 1, 2 and 3'. The prize, the sum of EUR 2700, is
intended for young graphic artists from Meuse-Rhine and the Meuse-Rhine North regions,
including the whole of North-Rhine-Westphalia. There were 35 artists in this competition.
Their work is to be seen from October 14 through November 5 at the D'r Brikke Oave
Cultural Center in Brunssum. http://www.brunssum.nl/cultuur.html#ilse
A FACE-LIFT FOR VERVIERS
[LEI: Verviers, October]
In this one-time center of the textile
industry and the prime location in New York Walloon, Luc Sante's A Factory of Facts, a new
wool and fashion museum has opened at 30 Rue de la Chapelle. The city of wool has
undergone a face-lift. Close to the Formula 1 circuit at Spa Francorchamps and located in
the attractivreviewley of the Weser, praised by Victor Hugo, Verviers has forked out EUR
128,000 in a major campaign to attract new Belgian, German and Dutch admirers. http://www.verviers.com
RED PLUSH, GOLD PAINT AND GARDENS
[LEI: Liège, October]
The splendid Salle Philharmonique at the
Liège Royal Conservatory of Music, which opened more than a century ago, has been
entirely refurbished at a cost of some EUR 2m. A folder with 25 entries on 49 parks and
gardens open to the public in Liège is available at the Province of Liège tourism
office. http://www.festivaldewallonie.com/festw_art_conservatoire.htmhttp://www.liege.be
ORGANIC FARMING, ETC. IN MEUSE-RHINE
[LEI: Aachen, October 13]
The new edition of
Dreilaender-Freizeitkompass (9) has appeared with eight pages on organic farming in the
region. The "what's on" section lists 400 events throughout the region up to the
end of December. There is also a portrait of Juergen Roters, the new President designate
of Meuse-Rhine. Price: EUR 2.45. http://www.regioblick.de
BERNARD PIVOT REJECTED BY MAASTRICHT
[LEI: Maastricht, September 9]
The mainstay of French literature on TV,
Bernard Pivot, whose book program 'Apostrophes' ran on Antenne 2 from 1975 - 1990 and
whose 'Bouillon de Culture' is currently on France 2, has decided to retire, after 25
years of service to TV and literature - not solely to French literature incidentally.
Whether his decision was influenced by the decision of Nutsmaas - having already deprived
Maastricht of the charms of Claire Chazal on TF 1 - to remove France 2 and France 3 from
the cable, is something that we do not yet know. Pivot can be seen at 14.15hrs Saturdays
on TV 5 - hardly peak viewing time. We have heard that Nutsmaas will be reviewing their
decision in December. Watch this space. http://www.nutsmaas.nl/indexns.asp
MEUSE-RHINE ROAD-SHOW
[LEI: Liège, September 7]
A travelling exhibition started in Liège
and Tongeren and will be in Eupen November 16 through 30 (Venues later in Aachen and
Maastricht). It demonstrates the advantages of the region and explains the activities of
the Meuse-Rhine Foundation. This organization promotes cooperation among the five
subregions in areas as disparate as trade, the environment, communication networking,
tourism, the arts, leisure and information transfer. Project managers can also provide
information about Euroregional partnerships, options for the financial support of
projects, employment and educational opportunities, but also about the arts and tourism.
The road show has films and even local cartoons.
http://www.euregio-mr.org
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