An integrated approach that takes into account all the stages and components of innovation Interview with Mr Willy BORSUS, Vice-President of the Walloon Region and Minister of Economy, Foreign Trade, Research and Innovation, Digital Technologies, Agriculture, Urban and Spatial Planning, IFAPME and Competence Centers This demonstrates that R&D in our Region enjoys a reputation for excellence abroad and that Wallonia can count on companies in this sector to contribute to its growth and its necessary transition. As an anecdote, let's think back to the Walloon André Gratia who discovered bacteriocins (more specifically colicine) in 1925, shortly before Flemming discovered the first antibiotic, penicillin...
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What are Wallonia's assets in terms of R&D? The Walloon Region has many assets (including its central European position), it has many talents and its excellence, at various levels, is recognised. This reputation is also characterised by the quality of teaching at its colleges and universities. Research is obviously essential. To do so, our Region must be at the forefront: there can be no efficient research without efficient infrastructures. It is for this reason that our programme is resolutely ambitious, just like the investments that are and will be made in the priority fields of Research and Innovation.
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hat is the current state of research in Wallonia ? Thanks to a strong policy of support for Research and Innovation conducted for several years, Wallonia occupies an important place in the world landscape in various sectors. These include the space, aeronautics, chemicals and biotech sectors. Pharma and Biotech, also known as Life Sciences, are the flagship sector par excellence in Wallonia, in terms of the number of jobs they generate and the weight they represent in Walloon exports (more than 32% in 2019).
Our companies in this sector have recognised expertise and, for the most part, hold patents of worldwide scope. The success and talent of our teams of scientists are internationally recognised and benefit Wallonia, Research, but also Belgium and its influence.
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Wallonia has many successful companies in this field, positioning itself among the world's most advanced regions. This is the result of major investments but also of ambitious Research and Development programmes, which it is essential to pursue in order to stay on course.
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