Belgian sectors

Belgian Defence (2024) - Paper

The paper ‘Belgian Defence’, realised in cooperation with the FPS Foreign Affairs, Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT), the Wallonia Export-Investment Agency (AWEX) and hub.brussels, provides a comprehensive overview of the Belgian defence sector, which fully exploits its strategic position in Europe, near major defence suppliers such as France, Germany and the UK. Belgium has a rich history in arms production and technological innovation, supported by a strong academic base, making it a crucial player in both national and international defence.

The document highlights the complexity of the current geopolitical environment and Belgium's role within international and European defence organisations, with a particular focus on the country's strategic partnerships and capabilities. The adoption of the STAR plan underlines Belgium's ambition to further modernise its defence capabilities and adapt to the challenges of hybrid warfare and cybersecurity.

The first part of the paper provides an in-depth analysis of the international defence context, covering increasing military spending and cooperation initiatives. The second part discusses key initiatives such as PESCO and the European Defence Fund (EDF) that enable EU member states to cooperate on defence projects, improving interoperability and strengthening Europe's strategic autonomy. The final section explains the Belgian defence sector itself, including its five main components and the role of dual-use capabilities, which are used for both civilian and military purposes. The implementation of the STAR plan and adjustments to the Belgian defence budget illustrate the country's strategic priorities to promote technological leadership while strengthening EU and NATO cooperation. All this contributes to a sustainable and efficient defence system that ensures both Belgium's and Europe's security.

The full sectoral publication will be officially released in early 2025, following its traditional format. Beside the comprehensive introduction (paper), the publication will feature success stories highlighting four companies from each region, and present a dedicated chapter with relevant stakeholders.

Belgian Nuclear Medicine (2024)

The “Belgian Nuclear Medicine” publication, realised in cooperation with the FPS Foreign Affairs, Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT), the Wallonia Export & Investment Agency and hub.brussels, highlights the critical role of nuclear medicine in diagnosing, interpreting, and treating a diverse array of diseases. Nuclear medicine offers patients less invasive treatment alternatives by imaging, treating, and monitoring conditions such as cancer. Despite the pressures on the supply chain, Belgium remains a leading producer of medical isotopes, expertly managing every link of the supply chain. This leadership provides Belgian enterprises unique opportunities to secure their future market position and contribute significantly to global health in an era filled with healthcare challenges.

The first part of this publication offers a detailed overview of nuclear medicine and outlines the supply chain challenges, including nuclear waste and transportation. It also explores how Belgium is addressing these issues to maintain its leading role. The second part includes interviews with 9 innovative Belgian companies active in this sector. The third part introduces various stakeholders in the nuclear medicine field, from sector federations to public institutions that support the industry.

Within the framework of the sectoral publication, three Belgian companies have also been video interviewed:

• Interview with Sven Van den Berghe, CEO of PanTera. PanTera is on a mission to address the scarcity of Actinium-225, a promising radioactive cancer-fighting agent which will revolutionize cancer treatment worldwide.
• Interview with Bruno Scutnaire, President of IBA Radiopharma Solutions. Discover IBA's global leadership and the company's recent developments in nuclear medicine and beyond.
• Interview with Ruth Devenyns, former CEO of Precirix (now Tom Plitz). Precirix is a Belgian biotech company, which pioneers innovative cancer treatments by utilising camel-derived antibodies to precisely target cancer cells.

Belgian Advanced Manufacturing Technologies (2023)

The “Belgian Advanced Manufacturing Technologies” publication, realised in cooperation with the FPS Foreign Affairs, Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT), the  Wallonia Export & Investment Agency and hub.brussels, focuses on the new trends of the industrial sector and its innovative technologies. Advanced manufacturing technologies are reshaping industries and responding to some challenges and trends that the sector is facing. Belgium, thanks to dynamic industrial actors and a friendly innovative environment, is taking part in the new revolution Industry 5.0.

The first part of this publication provides a comprehensive picture of the advanced manufacturing sector in Belgium. The second part provides 12  interviews of Belgian innovative companies active in this sector. The third part presents various stakeholders active in the advanced manufacturing sector from sectoral federations to public institutions which are supporting the industry.

Within the framework of the sectoral publication, three Belgian companies have also been video interviewed:

• Interview with Rob Smets, Managing Director at uWare: immerse yourself in the world of ocean conservation and exploration. uWare builds ingenious, data-driven solutions for monitoring coastal ocean life and the sustainable industries developing within it.
• Interview with Joris Ceyssens, Director at Vintiv. Vintiv not only develops and builds customised high-tech machines, but it also retrofits existing installations into state-of-the-art production devices.
• Interview with Bertrand Herry & Roger Cocle, co-founders and CEOs of AnyShape: they will let you discover the great possibilities of additive manufacturing (3D printing). AnyShape (ISO9001-EN9100-ISO13485 company) works with state-of-the-art equipment across the entire additive manufacturing value chain to produce high-quality metal, plastic and composite industrial parts.  

Belgian Entertainment Technologies (2022)

Released during a webinar on May 30, 2022, the sectoral publication “Belgian Entertainment Technologies” illustrates the pioneering and leading role that Belgium plays in the field of entertainment technologies. Belgian companies in the sector are particularly innovative and invest heavily in the research and development of new entertainment technologies for the sports, video games, media and audio-visual industries.

The first part of this publication provides a comprehensive picture of the entertainment technology sector in Belgium and takes a closer look at some current trends. In the second part, 12 innovative companies in this sector showcase their expertise through various interviews. The third part presents the various stakeholders in the study, the sectoral federations concerned and their members.

Following the launch of this publication, a webinar was organised in collaboration with our partners FPS Foreign Affairs, Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT), AWEX and hub.brussels.
Watch the replay of the webinar.

Also watch the interviews of:

• Stéphane Battaille, Chief Executive Officer of Alterface, a Belgian company specialized in providing both technology and turnkey solutions for the interactive attractions industry
• Jelmer Jacobs, performance manager speedwear of Bioracer Motion, a Belgian company created to develop new technologies that improve the performance of professional cyclists
• François Fripiat, CEO of Demute, a Belgian company providing innovative sound solutions for the video games industry and immersive sound experiences for the cultural sector.

Belgian Health Technologies (2021) - Arabic

Our “Belgian Health Technologies” publication is now also available in Arabic!

Introduced during a webinar on October 12, the sectoral publication “Belgian Health Technologies” illustrates the pioneering and leading role that Belgium plays in the field of medical technologies. Belgian companies in the sector are particularly innovative and invest heavily in the research and development of new medical technologies. Belgium is one of the world's main centers for the distribution and supply of medicines and vaccines and has played a crucial role in the fight against COVID-19.

The first part of this publication provides a comprehensive picture of the medical technology sector in Belgium and takes a closer look at some current trends such as the digitalisation of health and eHealth. In the second part, 12 innovative companies in this sector showcase their expertise. The third part presents the various stakeholders in the study, the sectoral federations concerned and their members.

Following the launch of this publication, a webinar was organised in collaboration with our partners FPS Foreign Affairs, Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT), AWEX and hub.brussels.

Document only available in Arabic and English.

Watch the replay of the webinar.

Belgian Health Technologies (2021) - English

Introduced during a webinar on October 12, the sectoral publication “Belgian Health Technologies” illustrates the pioneering and leading role that Belgium plays in the field of medical technologies. Belgian companies in the sector are particularly innovative and invest heavily in the research and development of new medical technologies. Belgium is one of the world's main centers for the distribution and supply of medicines and vaccines and has played a crucial role in the fight against COVID-19.

The first part of this publication provides a comprehensive picture of the medical technology sector in Belgium and takes a closer look at some current trends such as the digitalisation of health and eHealth. In the second part, 12 innovative companies in this sector showcase their expertise. The third part presents the various stakeholders in the study, the sectoral federations concerned and their members.

Following the launch of this publication, a webinar was organised in collaboration with our partners FPS Foreign Affairs, Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT), AWEX and hub.brussels.

Document only available in English and Arabic.

Watch the replay of the webinar.

Belgian Sustainable Food Systems (2021)

The “Belgian Sustainable Food Systems” publication explains the pioneering role that Belgium plays in sustainable food systems. It is by stimulating a sustainable food system promoting responsible food production, processing and packaging, that Belgian businesses are able to distinguish themselves internationally from an environmental, social and economic point of view. In this way, Belgium is able to fully comply with the objectives of the European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork (F2F) strategy. 

The first part of this publication provides an overview of the situation of the food sector in Belgium through the prism of sustainability. In the second part, 12 innovative companies in these sectors are interviewed. The third and last part presents the various stakeholders to the study, including the concerned sectoral federations and their members.

Following the launch of this publication, a webinar was organized on 22 June 2021 in collaboration with our partners FPS Foreign Affairs, Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT), AWEX and hub.brussels.

Watch the replay of the webinar.

Belgian Sustainable Building Solutions & Smart Cities (2020) 

The “Belgian Sustainable Building Solutions and Smart Cities” publication explains the pioneering role that Belgium plays in sustainable construction and smart cities. With a view in particular to achieving the objective of carbon neutrality by 2050 established by the European Green Deal, Belgium is resolutely following the path towards urban sustainability through the prism of innovation and digitization. 

The first part of this publication provides an overview of the situation of the sustainable construction and smart cities sectors in Belgium. In the second part, 12 innovative companies in these sectors are interviewed. The third and last part contains a non-exhaustive list of companies offering innovative solutions in this field.

Following the launch of this publication, a webinar was organized on 8 December 2020 in collaboration with our partners FPS Foreign Affairs, Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT), AWEX and hub.brussels.

Watch the replay of the webinar.

Belgian Transport & Logistics (2020) 

The Belgian Transport & Logistics publication highlights the central role of Belgium in international trade, both in terms of transport and logistics. This publication emphasizes the importance of our country's world-famous ports, its increasingly specialized airports as well as multimodal solutions. Belgium has corridors by road, rail and inland waterways that allow goods to reach their destination quickly and efficiently.

The first part of this publication provides a global overview of the transport and logistics sector in Belgium. In the second part, 12 innovative actors describe their strengths. Finally, a non-exhaustive list of companies active in the sector is mentioned at the end of the publication.

Belgian Life Sciences (2019)

The Belgian Life Sciences study shows that Belgium has been playing an absolute pioneering role in this domain right from the start. The extensive ecosystem contributes significantly to this. Belgium offers a wide range of support measures to the many companies that have often already been present in our country’s life sciences sector for decades. This not only concerns material and logistical support, but also training and access to talent.

The first part of this publication provides an overview of the situation of the Belgian life sciences industry, after which 12 innovative companies from this sector are interviewed. The last part contains a non-exhaustive list of companies that offer innovative solutions within this domain.