clearer than through the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has not only had an unprecedented financial and economic impact, but has also had an indescribable impact on people and on our way of life.
What means will you have to enforce these measures? In 2017, we spent 2.89% of our regional GDP on research and development in Flanders. With that result, Flanders is steadily climbing to the top in Europe. However, our ambitions are higher. We should be able to reach 3% by the end of this legislature. This equates to a permanent increase of EUR 250 million in the research and innovation budget and one-off investments by EUR 195 million in research infrastructure by the end of this legislature.
Flanders launched two special calls for COVID-19 research projects. In a first call, 2.5 million euros was provided to fund research into possible therapeutics and vaccines, but also research on patient samples to better understand COVID-19 immunity. Mathematical modelling, epidemiological research and technology development projects (e.g. masks, respirators, vaccine production technology) were also potential candidates. 9 projects were finally selected for launch.
What collaborations do you intend to develop in order to carry out your action? When we talk about economy and innovation, we automatically think of our companies and researchers. But I also want to consciously involve citizens and civil society more closely in the coming years by introducing a new innovation model for our society: the quadruple helix. By introducing innovation to everyone, we will also make it known and loved by everyone. There is a double advantage in this. The involvement of civil society can contribute to a greater social and economic impact of our excellent scientific research and industrial R&D. Conversely, it is also necessary to create a better understanding and greater confidence in the work of scientists and technology managers because new technologies are often still frightening upon their release. Trust is essential for the rapid dissemination and social acceptance of new technologies. Moreover, cooperation is essential to increase the resilience of our open economy in the light of international events, such as the Brexit or other tumultuous trade relations.
The crisis has an impact on each and every one of us. We therefore need to look beyond the financial and economic consequences. That is why a second special call was recently launched that focuses on the social consequences of the measures to combat COVID-19. Applications for this call must include research on COVID-19 pandemic-related topics, such as research into personal welfare, or answer legal, economic, political or social questions. EUR 2.5 million has also been dedicated to this call. Furthermore, the Flemish government is also currently providing 21 million euros in strategic transformation support for companies that make additional investments in the production of COVID-19 relevant products and services. What are your priorities in terms of the economy and innovation? I intend to make economic and innovation policy more missionoriented. We need to pursue more clear societal goals. A to-do list, as it were, with goals that we need to achieve, but on a larger scale. We see six broad projects. First of all, local entrepreneurship must flourish and we make our traders competitive in today's e-commerce environment by providing them with the necessary digital tools. Secondly, we guarantee the competitiveness and productivity of our manufacturing industry through having a future-oriented and integrated industrial policy. Thirdly, we support our provinces and regions in their development on the basis of regional specializations. The fourth point is the digital lead that we are providing to our researchers and businesses to take over the rest of the world via a Flemish agenda for digital entrepreneurship and innovation. Special attention will also be paid to the roll-out of necessary infrastructure such as 5G. The fifth project is our transition to a low-carbon economy and society, supported by an ambitious plan for climate-friendly innovations. Lastly, in order to meet our needs for water and raw materials in the future, through focusing on a circular economy through research and new business models, we aim to safeguard our limited space and raw materials.
In your opinion, what are the most important challenges for Flemish companies to maintain and increase their competitive position? When I talk to entrepreneurs, they often come back to the same three issues: the mobility issue (the traffic jams), the wage and energy costs and the skills of employees. Based on my competences, I try to respond to each of these issues. On the mobility issue, I support innovative projects on smart and connected vehicles and better use of data on our mobility. On labour and energy costs, we are supporting energy-saving measures and focusing on technologies that can boost productivity. Hence the importance of speeding up the roll-out of these technologies, especially to our SME’s. As far as skills are concerned, I will use the credo of our Lifelong Learning programme: “eudcating, educating, educating.” This will be our mantra for the coming years, as well as our recipe for a strong recovery. I will also shortly be launching a renewed STEM action plan 2020-2030. In this way we will make even more young people enthusiastic about scientific and technological innovation.
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What measures does the new Flemish government intend to take to support innovative companies in Flanders? The concrete measures that we will take within the framework of the projects mentioned previously are currently being developed in full consultation with all the parties concerned. Everyone must be united in this story. Impact is an important principle here: our actions and spending must make a difference. That is why we will predominantly focus on the instruments from which we can expect the greatest impact. We will place an important emphasis on the encouragement of small businesses to innovate as well as the development of our spearhead clusters. Nonetheless, we will also not lose sight of the more general support measures. Stimulating entrepreneurship, easy access to finance and capital, strengthening our scientific base and disseminating knowledge are just as important.
Minister Crevits visiting ArcelorMittal in Ghent
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