Sector

The theme of this economic working visit was innovation and cooperation with Belgium in the field of Life Sciences & Health, with an emphasis on digital health.

As a neighboring country, Belgium is an important trading partner. In the field of healthcare, cooperation offers prospects, especially since our markets are similar, with an aging society and rising healthcare costs. Belgium is also betting more and more on home care and will give the general practitioner an increasing role. Themes such as digital health, the electronic patient record, 3D printing and robotics are thus emerging, with many needs, necessary investments and challenges. Both between researchers, developers and users and between parties across borders.

Program

Hosting the event was IMEC, the world’s leading Research & Development and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technologies. All invited guests gathered at 10 a.m. in the IMEC tower, where they were welcomed by Deputy Vice Minister Guido Landheer, who replaced Minister Kaag. The seminar portion concluded with a luxurious networking lunch, entirely in Belgian style.

After lunch, it was time for speed dates, after which the remainder of the afternoon was filled with a number of relevant field visits. After returning from the field visits, everyone gathered for the closing drinks and snacks.

SpeedDates

In order to create as many opportunities as possible between the two countries, TRANSFER was asked prior to the event to organize the speed dates for the 50 participating Dutch innovative companies cq. knowledge institutions. Transfer LBC managed to interest more than 100 Belgian parties from the relevant sector in the Dutch working visit, and both parties met during the speed dates. In total, over 300 meetings were set up. The reactions from both sides were very positive afterwards.

Wampie Libon, Deputy Ambassador, Dutch Embassy in Brussels

“We experienced the cooperation as very pleasant. You managed to set up speed dates in a short time for the 50 Dutch entrepreneurs with Belgian companies on both sides of the language border. The event was well put together, and the speed date session looked well organized. The feedback I received from one of the entrepreneurs was positive. Thanks again, also on behalf of the embassy colleagues!”

Field visits

After the speed dates, all companies were given the opportunity to participate in one of five field visits. With buses, the participants were transported towards:

• Health House – innovative platform on the future of health and care
• Materialise – high-end 3D printing for innovative patient-specific treatment
• ‘UZ Leuven’ – one of the largest hospitals in Belgium
• ‘Het wit-gele kruis’ – home nursing and home help organization active in Flanders
• IMEC – the world’s leading R&D and innovation hub in nanoelectronics
•     and digital technologies

After returning to the IMEC tower, the whole company was met and the event was concluded in style with a drink and some snacks.