Leading-edge clusters

The ICT industry in Flanders is a dynamic one and is among the world's leaders in a number of fields, including banking systems, microelectronics research and nanotechnology.

Telecommunications in Flanders is advanced and reliable with one of Europe's highest levels of broadband connectivity and a competitive environment featuring some of the world's largest players. Brussels is one of the world's leading Internet hub cities. E-government is making increasing inroads particularly in business administration.

Many of the companies in individual fields have grouped together close to universities or research institutes such as IMEC and cluster organizations have been established to assist with synergy and exchange of information. These clusters include:

DSP Valley: More than 2,000 DSP experts work within the cluster's various member organizations. Business members include companies such as Acunia International, Barco and Target Compiler Technologies. Some are spin-offs from IMEC, Europe's largest independent research center in the field of microelectronics, nanotechnology, enabling design methods and ICT technologies.

Flanders Multimedia Valley: FMV is a virtual cluster of around 100 businesses and organizations active in online and offline multimedia production, content and application development, Internet services and e-business & e-government. A major supporting organization for companies within the cluster is the university-based Expertise Center for Digital Media (EDM), an applied research organization.

Graphics: The Flemish Innovation Center for Graphic Communication (VIGC) aims to provide members with information to enhance their product and process innovation. Strategic partners include Agfa, Creo, Esko-Graphics, Plantin-Heidelberg, Kodak Polychrome Graphics, MAN Roland Belgium, Océ, and Strobbe Graphics/Xeikon International. To strengthen the quality of its services, VIGC is working with leading research groups such as the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and similar organizations in Holland and Germany.

Telematics: Flanders has become home to a substantial cluster of telematics firms, ranging from technology developers and suppliers through to operators, integrators and the knowledge institutes such as universities. The cluster organization has a wide range of members and is involved with regional, national and European governments for the implementation of Intelligent Transport Systems.