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Hit
totals (06.15 - 09.15) 72,818
VIVE
LA FLANDRE ! VIVENT LES PAY BAS!
[Edit:
Liège, September 15]
We have delayed the web publication of this issue to include a report
on the Mayor of Liège's opening speech for the Fête de la
Wallonie which reached us after the original version of the
Newsletter had been sent. Welcoming the various dignitaries,
including representatives of the Hungarian town of Szeged, he went on
to introduce the theme of cross-border relationships; looking
first at Eastern Europe and then returning to the old Principality of
Liège, reminding listeners that the Principality had taken in both
German and Dutch speaking areas and also placing a clear focus on the
relationship between the MAHHL cities of Maastricht, Aachen , Hasselt,
Heerlen and Liège. He seemed to be pointing to an opening up of
Liège to Meuse-Rhine and the advantages of cooperation. He made
special reference to the importance of the new TGV station, the new
waterway links reaching as far as Dunkirk and to Liège airport, as
being of importance to the cross-border community too. He
referred to the number of people moving from Maastricht to Liège; to
the efforts by the Saint Servatius Trust to build public housing in Liège
and also to the publication of Artibus ad Mosam's Bloed, Zweet en
Treinen. Later, he made a highly complimentary reference to a
speech, in French, by Mayor Jürgen Linden of Aachen, in which the
Mayor expressed his admiration for Liège. Mayor Demeyer
concluded, quite properly, with a reaffirmation of his own identity as
a Liégeois, Walloon and European. However it was heartening to
hear him embrace the larger community of Meuse-Rhine which also had a
role in the old principality. Though one understands that Liège
will from, time to time, wish to celebrate cultural affinities with
far-off places, like Lubumbashi and Quebec city, it is heartening to
see an acknowledgement of the world that we actually live in.
http://www.webcontentnow.com
BUSINESS
AND INDUSTRY
Tessenderlo
Group: H1 2002 results
[BIZ:
Tessenderlo, September 12]
Net result of the group increased by 3.8%; steady turnover (+ 0.76%);
net cash flow up by 8.24% and the recovery of PVC should continue. H1
turnover was EUR 963.11m, an increase of 0.76 % on last year. The net
result of the group went from EUR 32.59m to 33.83m, an improvement of
3.80 % compared with H1 2001.
Net cash flow increased by 8.24 %; from EUR 81.39m to 88.10m at the
end of June 2002. Q2, 2002 records only a slight improvement compared
with Q2, 2001, which had benefited from a more substantial rise in the
price of PVC than this year.
http://tesscorpeng.tessenderlogroup.com
IF
YOU CAN'T BEAT THEM, JOIN THEM
[BIZ: Maastricht, September 12]
An all girl team representing two PR communication companies, Facet'N
and Jesaijes Communicatie, have decided to join forces
or at least share premises in an attractively decorated house on the
Scharnerweg where the walls are painted in solid colors and include
inspirational graffiti. Whether it was the location or the
company, the opening was certainly a venue for le tout Limbourg
or, at any event, for its PR component. Some even came from further
afield. On the second floor they even have their own pressure
point massage department, presumably to ensure that there can be no
question of repetitive strain.
http://www.webcontentnow.com
MISTERMAIL
IN THE PRIZES
[BIZ: Maastricht, September 12]
Maastricht based MisterMail was responsible for the database
management transmission and response processing for the best email
campaign in the recent Dutch E-mail Marketing Conference for Pepsi and
.Bone advertising in the Johnny Twist campaign.
http://www.mistermail.nl
PACKAGING
GOES CHINESE
[BIZ: Weert, September 8]
Kim Noach, in Dagblad de Limburger reports that the Moonen
packaging company, Verpakking Moonen, in Weert is doing very
well achieving annual sales of EUR 21m, 40% from industrial
packaging and 60% from the food branch. With packaging centers
in Weert, Nuth, Den Bosch, Eindhoven, Antwerp and Hasselt it employs
85 and receives 70,000 orders per year. The article records
major suppliers in the automotive branch including NedCar, Volvo,
Citroën and Neways on the IT side. It further reports that the
carrier bags and films come from the Far East and the packaging for
ready-to-go meals from the United States. A new development is
in biodegradable plates and cups made from sugar cane or maize.
This will be on the market at the start of 2003 and is being developed
in China. [Not so surprising, China into everything nowadays, even
Formula 1 racing is going to Shanghai. Ed.]
http://www.limburger.nl
RENAULT
MEGANE TO BE UNVEILED IN MAASTRICHT
[BIZ: Maastricht, September 6]
1,000 automotive journalists will be traveling to Maastricht in
October for the unveiling of the new Renault Mégane. The
briefing will be at Hotel Bergère. Journalists will be
able to make the acquaintance of Maastricht, helped by local schools,
and then they will drive to Luxembourg in the new car. This is
the second presentation of a major world marque in the Maastricht
area, the Opel Corsa was recently presented at Chateau St Gerlach.
http://www.limburger.nl
LIOF
STAKEHOLDER IN NOTTHEFLY
[BIZ: Maastricht, September 5]
The Limburg Development Company, LIOF, has taken a 27.5% stake in
NotTheFly. NotTheFly was established in 2000 by Joost Backus and
develops software for the next generation of mobile phones in
applications for programmable mobile phones, I-mode, GPRS, UMTS,
games, information, network, remote diagnostics and client-specific
applications, with special reference to receiving photos, video images
and mobile and interactive games. The first GPRS mobile chess
match in the world was played using a NotTheFly program.
NotTheFly was one of 25 starters who received a subordinated loan of
NLG 100,000 in connection with the Millennium ICT Start 25 project.
The company currently has 25 applications available including
games, business applications and tracking and tracing solutions.
http://www.notthefly.com
AACHEN
SERVICE GETS STAR RATING
[BIZ: Aachen, September 1]
Federal authorities have singled out the service and follow-up service
provided by the Department of Economic Promotion and European Affairs
in the city of Aachen. As a result, Aachen is setting up new
services including the Verbund project which is designed to
further the interests of women returning to work. Another
praiseworthy effort is that of the intermediaries who help businesses
in their dealings with the authorities. A construction service,
which facilitates building applications and the public leasing
financing facilities were also singled out for praise.
http://www.regionaldienst.nrw.de
CROSS-BORDER
STARTERS
[BIZ: Eupen, September]
East Belgium's development company WFG is holding an information
session for cross border startups, with special reference to Belgium
and Germany, October 23 at the Eupen Chamber, from 09.00 through 12.00
hrs.
http://www.wfg.be
AUTOMOTIVE
FOCUS
[BIZ: Aachen, September]
The Aachen Chambers Business News magazine has an automotive focus in
its September issue. Among the topics covered are navigation
systems, 125 years of highway construction in North Rhine Westphalia
and Germany's role as a transit company for the passage of goods
between Eastern and Western Europe. In a subsequent story the
under Minister for Traffic, Construction and Housing, Achim Grossmann,
discussed the passing of the toll legislation in the German parliament
which opens the door to private highway construction and allows
private owners to build stretches of highway and to maintain them for
several decades. This model is likely to be adopted for part of
the A4 highway.
http://www.aachen.ihk.de
MACINTOSH
H1 RESULTS
[BIZ: Maastricht, September]
The Maastricht based Macintosh Retail Group achieved H1 sales in 2002
of EUR 370.3m as against EUR 404.9m in 2001. The result of EUR
7.2m as against EUR 9.1m last year. Net profits rose from EUR
2.9m to EUR 3.3m, EUR 0.38 per share and EUR 0.45 respectively.
Profit achieved from the sale of the free internet provider MyWeb
resulted in an extraordinary net figure EUR 3.5m which brought the
total net H1 profit to EUR 6.8m, as against EUR 0.3m in 2001.
http://www.macintosh.nl
GERMAN
LAW FROM STRICK
[BIZ: Cleves, September]
Strick's monthly German law newsletter covers: the problems caused to
suppliers and clients by the floods in southern and eastern Germany;
the new regulations in the construction market; the validity of
various types of direct debit and withdrawing from the German market.
German tax authorities are constantly on the lookout to see whether
Dutch companies are liable for tax in Germany. There are changes
to e-commerce regulations including standard forms for the provision
of information. There are also set standards for signing
documents in Germany. Letters to third parties are to be signed
by two people and the second signature is the more important party.
Signatures should always be on the left hand side of the page.
The letter also contains observations on the way in which the Dutch
economy follows the German and on the German elections. There
are notes on how the Hartz committee intends to reduce
unemployment by two million in three years. The eighth
commandment for doing business in German is that your German business
partner will not take you seriously if you threaten bankruptcy
proceedings, because you have to be in possession of a judgment and,
in the case of a bankruptcy, you will not receive more than other
creditors. You get a percentage of your claim which means that you
have to try to cash your claim before other creditors start legal
proceedings and get their money first.
http://www.strick.de
KFN
H1 RESULTS
[BIZ: Maastricht, August 26]
The Maastricht-based office property giant KFN posted good earnings
figures in H1, 2002. Direct investment at EUR 25.3m rose 5% as against
the same period last year. Profit per share decreased slightly
by EUR 0.04 to EUR 1.26 as a result of the conversion of a convertible
loan to shares at the end of September 2001. Gross rental income
increased by 6% as a result of portfolio growth and rent indexation
but the occupancy level of properties in operations fell to 96%
compared to 99% over the first half of 2001. This shows the
Dutch economic recession is also having an impact on KFN. The
indirect investment result amounted to EUR 0.8m negative, against EUR
7.1m positive in H1, 2001. The property portfolio valuation was
effectively at the same level as end 2001. The year's first six
months saw no commitments with regard to the acquisition of new office
buildings. However KFN did invest EUR 43.7m in current projects,
including Il Fiore in Maastricht. As of June 30, 2002,
the total investment value of projects under development amounted to
EUR 224m of which projects to a value of EUR 100m will be completed by
year end.
http://www.kfn.nl
BUSINESS
GROWTH IN BELGIAN LIMBURG
[BIZ: Hasselt, August 31]
In the past six years the number of private businesses established in
Limburg (B) has risen by 10%, this is higher than the rest of
Flanders. On December 31 Limburg had 55,975 private businesses,
three quarters of which were the principal occupation of the party
concerned. In the 1995-2000 period the number of businesses rose
by 10.8%, the average in Flanders was 5%. The strong increase in
Limburg is primarily related to legislative measures.
http://www.vkw
LIEGE
BUSINESS ASSOCIATION AT 25
[BIZ: Liège, August 29]
The Walloon Business Association of Liège (UWEL), which was
established in 1977 and represents 900 businesses in the private and
public sector in the province, is celebrating its 25th anniversary by
addressing itself to infrastructures, realities and prospects.
President Daniel Culot adds "our region has made vast strides in
this area in a quarter of a century. Infrastructures have brought
investment, employment and added value. There will be a major
presentation on the themes of water, rail, road and air transport on
the evening of September 16, when the results of new investigations
will be revealed and details given of ongoing projects. The
session will be held in the Philharmonic Hall of the Liège
Conservatory where the Beethoven's Eroïca symphony will be performed.
There will also be a presentation of a major policy document.
http://www.lalibre.be
PHILIPS
SELLS HASSELT PLANT TO JABIL
[BIZ: Amsterdam/Florida, August 28]
Royal
Philips Electronics and Jabil Circuit Inc., a global leader in
Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS) and provider to Dell and
Hewlett Packard, have announced that Jabil is to to acquire most of
Philips Contract Manufacturing Services (PCMS) - 9 printed circuit
plants including Philips Hasselt, which employs 904. Completion,
subject to consultation procedures with trade unions, workers councils
and clearance by the competition authorities, is expected to take
place later this year. The purchase price is approximately EUR 235m.
http://www.newscenter.philips.com
VALUE
CREATION IN AACHEN
[BIZ: Düsseldorf, August 26]
The North Rhine Westphalia Minister for Economic Affairs, Ernst
Schwanhold, presented an overview of regional developments in North
Rhine Westphalia through the year 2000, which revealed net value
creation in the Aachen business world of EUR 7.34bn. These new
figures on economic development in North Rhine Westphalia come from
the states data processing and statistical department and show a
growth in net value creation in Aachen rising from EUR 5.38bn in 1991
to more than EUR 7.34bn in 2000. Particularly successful were
the service sectors, including trade, tourism, finance and advisory
services. The service sector alone rose from EUR 3.83 bn in 1991
to EUR 5.58 in the year 2000.
http://www.regionaldienst.nrw.de
ROCHE
VITAMINS AND FINE CHEMICALS TO DSM
[BIZ: Heerlen, August ]
Swiss-based
healthcare group Roche and DSM, have announced that DSM intends
to acquire Roche’s Vitamins and Fine Chemicals Division for EUR
2.25bn, present and future liabilities from the vitamin price
fixing case remaining with Roche. The deal also needs approval from
the antitrust authorities.
This
Roche division is the world’s leading supplier of vitamins and
carotenoids, employing 7,500, with annual sales in 2001 of EUR
2.4bn. In the first half
of 2002, Roche V&FC achieved sales of EUR 1,180m, an EBITDA
(Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) of
EUR 173m and an operating profit of EUR 95m.
http://www.dsm.com
DSM
caprolactam joint venture in China
[BIZ: Heerlen/Nanking,
August 20]
DSM and Sinopec (China) have signed a founding agreement to establish
the DSM Nanking Chemical Company (DNCC) joint venture . DSM Fiber
Intermediates will have a 60% holding and Sinopec Nanking Chemical
Industries Co. Ltd. will have the remaining 40% of the shares. The
agreement involves an initial investment by DSM of approximately USD
30m for its 60% share. The DNCC plant has a current capacity of 60,000
metric tons of caprolactam based on DSM’s HPO technology and
started production in 1993. DNCC will purchase a license on the most
advanced HPOplus® technology from DSM.
This technology will enable the joint venture to expand production to
140,000 TPA in the years to come. Worldwide caprolactam demand is
expected to grow at a rate of about 3% on average. Caprolactam is
almost exclusively used as a raw material for the production of
Nylon-6 (also called polyamide-6) fibers and plastics. Total
consumption worldwide was about 3.5 million tonnes in 2001. Asia is
the largest market for caprolactam and is a major importer. China is a
large consumer of caprolactam (460,000 tons in 2001) and, with a
growth rate of about 7%, also the fastest growing market.
http://www.dsm.com
LaRGE
HOSTING ORDER FOR HOSTIT
[BIZ:
Hasselt, July 19]
The full service hosting company HostIT received a large order from X-CAGO.
X-CAGO
is a spin-off of two Dutch companies, Océ and Square. X-CAGO's
software solutions manage growing volumes of printed media
content by letting publishers securely capture analog (paper or
microfilm) as well as digital documents (PDF) and information,
organize and catalog this information and deliver knowledge on demand.
In short, the software
enables you to capture, store and distribute newspaper content in an
efficient and secure way. HostIT
will setup, maintain and secure the complete environment from which X-CAGO
offers its services. The first X-CAGO customer is the famous Danish
Financial Paper Børsen. With the services of X-CAGO, Børsen will
offer its subscribers a full PDF/HTML version of its daily newspaper
via the internet.
http://www.hostit.be
http://www.x-cago.com,
www.presscollection.com
LOGISTICS
AND INFRASTRUCTURE
MORE CARGO CULT
FOLLOWERS IN LIEGE
[LOG: Liège, September 15]
The Atlas Air partnership at Liège Airport is beginning to bear
fruit. Emirates,
voted 'Best Cargo Airline to
the Middle East' for last fourteen consecutive years, are to start
Saturday daytime B747 flights, carrying general cargo to Dubai and
bringing fresh produce back to Liège. Emirates are planning a
Cargo Mega Terminal in
Dubai that eventually will be able to handle up to 1,000,000 tonnes
per year, more than three times their current throughput. Atlas
subsidiary, Polar began its new scheduled service from Chicago
and New York to Liège, August 8. Initially, Polar will operate four
weekly services between the United States and Liège, increasing to
six weekly services in September. These flights will route via
Prestwick, Scotland before arriving in Liège. To these services
can be added Africa
West Airlines, Race Cargo from Ghana and services to Kenya brought in
by Atlas. Dutch Truckers Rutges, the perishable goods and security
specialists, are also opening up at Liège. On the cargo handling
front LACHS is expecting to take on 60- 80 new staff and CSC (recently
taken over by Swissport), which handles Atlas Cargo is expecting to
take on 70-80. More news is expected soon, also from Aerotrans a
partner in Icelandair Logistics at the airport.
http://www.webcontentnow.com
TRITONE
SELLS ITS RINGS
[INF: Maastricht, September 13]
The Maastricht-based telco Tritone, which has recently ceased trading,
has sold its fiber optic cable network, 80km around Parkstad and a
similar circumference around Eindhoven, to Telecom Utrecht, a
subsidiary of the Utrecht energy company Remu. The internet
service providers CobWeb from Geleen and Cubic Circle from Simpelveld
with Lomitel, a cable company from Echt, were also keen to purchase
the Tritone network but were beaten to the draw. This report
comes from Eric Pelzers in Dagblad de Limburger.
http://www.limburger.nl
THE MONTZEN LINE
[INF: Maastricht, September 12]
The opinion of the Limburg Provincial Government is that the Montzen
line, south of the Dutch-Belgian border through to Germany, can serve
as an alternative to the proposed Iron-Rhine cutting across the middle
of Limburg. The repair of the major viaduct and the
electrification of the line are still obstacles, however.
http://www.limburg.nl
ESSENT OPPOSES
CASEMA CABLE SALE
[INF: Arnhem, September 11]
Essent Kabelcom is opposing the takeover of its competitor Casema
by the American Liberty Media Group. Essent believes that the
purchase of Casema will give Liberty too much power in the
Dutch market. Liberty Media already owns UPC and has an interest
in the television channel Kindernet and the Discovery channel.
Essent has submitted a complaint to the Dutch anti-trust
authorities. The sale would mean that Liberty Media would have
60% of the cable connections in the Netherlands. UPC has
approximately 2.8 million connections, Essent has 2 million and
Casema 1.3 million.
http://www.limburger.nl
NRW TO BUILD MORE
ROADS AND RAILS
[INF: Düsseldorf, September
11]
Despite the next-but-two report, North-Rhine Westphalia is going to
invest EUR
426m on 17 trunk roads and 3 secondary roads in the state, starting
with 8 bypasses this year. This is part of a 12-point program to
encourage activity in the construction sector. 100 train stations are
to be modernized and EUR 1.3bn is to come from Federal UMTS license
fees for rail developments in NRW.
http://www.aachener-zeitung.de
The
GRANDE DAME'S FOUNDATION
[INF: Maastricht,
September 9]
At 06.00hrs on September 9, 190 cement trucks started to carry at
total of 1.1m liters of concrete for the foundations for the extension
of Maastricht's Grand Hotel de l'Empereur. The
foundations, which have to be laid under water and require the
assistance of divers, will extend the hotel's parking garage adding 88
further slots and also 70 rooms and suites and a complex of conference
rooms including a ballroom and a winter garden. The new wing of
the hotel is expected to open at Christmas 2003.
http://www.bestwestern.nl/empereur
NEW
CLIENT FOR LIEGE LOGISTICAL PLATFORM
[LOG: Liège,
September 8]
The Californian purveyor of sports gear Sketchers, apparently
preferred by Brittany Spears, when she is wearing something, is to be
a new client for Prologis, the leading global provider of
integrated distribution facilities and services, which has a 22,000m2
of the initial 45,000m2 distribution center at the Hauts-Sarts
park on the E313 Liège/Antwerp highway. The new company means
100 - 150 jobs, which could rise to 200 in the intermediate term.
http://www.prologis.com
HIGHWAY
DELAYS
[INF: Maastricht,
September 6]
Peet Adams, writing in Dagblad de Limburger states that the
German highway authorities have assigned a low priority to the
cross-border N280 at Roermond and the N297 at Sittard. The
reason for this change in priorities is the unexpected claims on funds
as a result of the flooding in East Germany. The Limburg
sections of these highways were supposed to be complete within five
years, but will not be much use without the connection to Germany.
EUR 1bn has to be reserved for the damage caused by the flooding.
http://www.limburger.nl
ENVIRONMENTAL
MANAGEMENT
[INF: Liège, September 5 ]
The environmental permits will be launched on October 1 and to inform
business about the consequences and assist them in managing activities
in this area, the Chamber of Commerce is organizing a event called
'initiatives' on Friday October 25 in Liège. The Chamber is
organizing this in cooperation with the eco management organization,
the reference point for environmental management systems in the
Walloon region. Those interested can obtain information from veronique.barry@uwe.be
The meeting will take place between 13.00hrs and 17.00hrs and a
personal consultation lasts 20 minutes. The information will be
provided free of charge.
http://www.ccilg.be
NEW
AIR EXEL FLIGHTS
[INF: Maastricht,
September 4]
From October 1 2002 Air Exel will be opening a new scheduled service
between the French city of Strasbourg and Amsterdam flying an Embraer
120 Brasilia. The initial return fare will be EUR 150.
http://www.klmexel.com
THE
LOCK OPENS
[INF: Maastricht,
September 4]
The official opening of the last link of the Maastricht-Flanders
waterway route took place on September 4 with a Stiphout pleasure boat
carrying the various dignitaries including the Governor of
Limburg, Mayor Gerd Leers of Maastricht, the Mayor of Lanaken
and an official of the European Union. A great feat of navigation was
required to pilot the large pleasure boat through the narrow gates of
lock number 19 and the subsequent close-fitting tunnel and, after
giving passengers time to sit down on the deck, the vessel passed
under the bridge to enter the new Maastricht harbor at the Bassin. There
major celebrations took place at a series of attractive waterside bars
and restaurants in this new area. This is all part of the
development of the Belvedere, a new city district.
http://www.vvvmaastricht.nl
NEW RAIL TERMINAL
AT DSM
[INF: Maastricht, September 4]
Limburg Development Company, LIOF and European Logistics Company
Limburg, ECL, SABIC, Chemelot and PLC Born are expected to sign a
declaration of intent on September 19 for a new rail terminal at the
DSM Mauritsterrein site where products are currently shipped
for SABIC. It is suggested that the new terminal will primarily
be concerned with bulk chemicals, and Born with other goods.
This report comes from Maarten de Kever in Limburgs Dagblad.
http://www.ld.nl
CUTS
IN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL
[INF: Maastricht,
September 3]
Eurocontrol, the North West European air traffic control center, based
at Maastricht/Aachen airport supports the reduction of the number of
air traffic control centers in Europe. There are 65 such centers
at present and the plan would be to reduce them to single figures.
Eurocontrol Maastricht controls flights in the Benelux and large parts
of Germany.
http://www.eurocontrol.be
HEERLEN
North Business Park Management
[INF: Heerlen,
September]
Heerlen Council has agreed to extend business park management at
Heerlen North through July 1 2003. This pending the arrival of a
management organization for Parkstad Limburg. An investigation
is going on in Parkstad Limburg at the present time by the Oranjewoud
engineering bureau to determine how an organization can be established
to manage the business parks in Parkstad Limburg. In the long
run the job description for Parkstad Limburg management for business
parks will be extended to add business park management.
http://www.heerlen.nl
SPECIAL
PHONE RATES DROPPED
[INF: Aachen, August
31]
Deutsche Telekom has ceased to provide its special rates for
cross-border calls with the Netherlands and Belgium. In future
clients will be charged by the minute. This will mean a rise in
rates for cross-border calls of up to 100%.
http://www.wdr.de
NIJS
LOGISTICS
[LOG: Lommel, August
30]
Lommel-
based Nijs Transport NV is taking on 25 extra drivers for work on new
contracts bringing its numbers up to 110. Nijs will also be investing
EUR 3m in new tractor trailer rigs. It has 31.000m² of heated
warehouse space.
http://www.nijstransport.be
MACHIELS
WAREHOUSING
[LOG: Genk, August 29]
Genk-based Maasland
Beheer en Logistiek, part of the Machiels Group ,
plans to build 120.000m² of warehousing in Opglabbeek, on the old
Velda site, currently rented by Ikea. 50.000m² of warehousing there
is being operated by Exel for life science clients. More life-sci
companies are expected to relocate to Opglabbeek.
http://www.remo.be
FURTHER HASSELT
BUS SUCCESSES
[INF: Hasselt, August 21]
Hasselt's free buses remain a success. They carried 3.4 million
passengers from July 2000 to June 2001 and between July 2001 and June
2002 more than 3.6 million. The next period is expected to show
a total of 4 million passengers carried.
http://www.aachener-zeitung.de
AIR
EXEL AND CONTINENTAL TO COOPERATE
[LOG: Maastricht, July
2]
Air Exel and American Continental Airlines have agreed to share
flights using a code-sharing principle. The contracts were
recently signed after the necessary preparations. KLM Exel is a
partner in the KLM /Northwest alliance and will be flying from
Eindhoven and Maastricht to the Amsterdam hub. Continental
airlines is the sixth largest airline in the world and flies to 89
destinations in the United States from New York/Newark and 117
destinations from Houston. The value of the agreement is the
linkage between US intercontinental flights and the Air Exel network.
http://www.klmexel.nl
BOAT
LIFT IN OPERATION
[INF: La Louvière,
July]
The long dormant lift at Strépy-Thieu is now active allowing
barges weighing 1,350 tonnes to be lower from a canal 73.15m to the
river below. This engineering feat has taken 20 years to
complete and has cost between EUR 600m and 700m. It means that
that the Mons, La Louvière, Charleroi areas will be connected to
Dunkirk on the French coast and via Liège to the Netherlands and
Germany which is of considerable value to the steel industry located
at Dunkirk and Charleroi.
http://www.rtbf.be
GOVERNMENT
AND EDUCATION
NO GERMAN (2008) MONEY TO GO ABROAD
[GOV: Aachen, September 13]
According to a report in the Aachener Zeitung, none of the
funding allocated to North-Rhine Westphalia's Euregionale 2008
project, thought to be in the region of EUR 100m, is to be allowed to
trickle across the borders into Belgium or the Netherlands. The
project's focus is to be on the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion, or that part
of it closest to Aachen, including Parkstad Limburg and the
German-speaking region of Belgium. Although 120 project submissions
have been received, there is a degree of uncertainty about what will
be chosen, particularly in today's straightened financial
circumstances. Interreg funds are suggested as a solution to the
problem.
http://www.aachener-zeitung.de
400 APPLICANTS FOR
MRE JOB
[GOV: Maastricht, September
13]
There have been 400 applications for the position of PR Officer to the
Meuse-Rhine Euroregional Authority. The appointment is scheduled for
November.
http://www.webcontentnow.com
PREHISTORIC BIRD WITH TEETH
[EDU: Maastricht, September
9]
The fossil remains of a prehistoric bird, estimated to be 66 million
years old, was recently found in the quarries near Maastricht.
This is a European first and the remains can be seen at the Natural
History Museum in Maastricht. The bird had teeth and it is
assumed that it dived to fish for its prey under water and in turn
fell prey to a larger aquatic predator.
http://www.L1.nl
TWO LIMBURGS
STRONGER THAN ONE
[GOV: Maastricht, September
9]
The Netherlands Limburg VVV and the Belgian Limburg Tourist Service
are going to work more closely together, according to Willy Orlandini
from Tourisme Limburg, who made the announcement at the opening
of the restored moated castle at Millen, Riemst. Both Limburgs,
within a radius of 250km, will be jointly promoted. A special
bureau has been employed to develop products including the cycling and
hiking network and bed and breakfast options. The focus will be
on peace and quiet, hospitality and the quality of life. Funding
will come from the provincial authorities, European Interreg funding
and private investment.
http://www.limburger.nl
LOCAL TAXES FOR
THE DUTCH IN BELGIUM
[GOV: Brussels, September 9]
Dutch citizens resident in Belgium will have to pay local taxes
starting next year. The Netherlands hopes to put the brakes on
the flow of tax exiles across the border in the border regions.
The level of the local taxes depend on the income of the local tax
payer. The Dutch can claim tax relief on mortgages on property
abroad, as long as they remain working in the Netherlands, and they
can choose where they pay tax. Most choose the Netherlands as
Belgian tax levels are among the highest in Europe. As a result,
the municipalities where the Dutch immigrants live, loses out on tax
income, which is why Belgium is going to levy a municipal tax from
2003.
http://www.limburger.nl
EUROPEAN STUDIES
POPULAR IN MAASTRICHT
[EDU: Maastricht, September
6]
The University of Maastricht has started this academic year with a new
English language program in European Studies for which 220 first year
students have registered. This year has seen 2,650 first year
students register at the University as against 2,200 last year.
Half the students on the European Studies program come from abroad,
the majority from Germany.
http://www.observant.nl
AACHEN PEACE PRIZE
FOR BERNHARD NOLZ AND BARBARA LEE
[GOV: Aachen, September 4]
A teacher Bernhard Nolz, from Siegen and US Congresswoman,
Barbara Lee, were awarded the Aachen peace prize, September 1.
The awards have been made, in the judgment of the committee, to two
people who have taken a clear stand on the move towards war following
September 11. Bernhard Nolz has spoken openly in front of school
children against war and Barbara Lee was the only of the 420 members
of congress to vote against empowering President George Bush to
declare war on terror.
http://www.brf.de
LIEGE ASSIZES IN
GERMAN
[GOV: Liège, September 3]
For the first time the Liège Assize Court will hear a case in German
this December. The court is meeting the wishes of the accused
who has been charged with murder. The accused, who is bilingual,
applied to be heard in German. There is some concern that this
might be a problem for the jury.
http://www.aachener-zeitung.de
AGRICULTURAL
EDUCATION
[EDU: Battice, September 2]
Belgian farmers demand Europewide regulation of agriculture.
Belgian farmers at the major agricultural show in Battice made this
demand to ensure the future of young farmers. The production and
development or regional products should also be supported.
13,000 visitors came to the agricultural fair in Battice, which
focuses on cattle breeding and animal feeds.
http://www.wdr.de
EUROPEAN MONEY FOR
MAASTRICHT
[GOV: Maastricht, September]
In the 2000 - 2006 period Maastricht can expect a minimum of EUR 14.5m
from the European Fund for Regional Development. This sum is to
be spent on projects in the city including four that are currently
ongoing, including cctv in the downtown area, the historic waterway
between Maastricht and Flanders, a meeting place in the
Wittevrouwenveld area for vulnerable social groups, local public
computer facilities, assistance for youth and university starters,
district committees in the city, addressing the problem of the A2
highway through Maastricht and improving the city environment.
This program is assisted by a steering group representing the Limburg
Development Company LIOF, the Chamber of Commerce, the Committee for
the Integration of Resident Aliens, the Province of Limburg, the Home
Ministry and the Ministry of Economic Affairs chaired by the Mayor or
his deputy.
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/regional-policy
ACP-EU TRADE
RELATIONS
[EDU: Maastricht, September]
The European Center for Development Policy Management (ECDPM) is
organizing a Europe-wide conference in November 2002, providing
logistical content support to the North South Center based in Lisbon,
Portugal, an organization within the Council of Europe. The
conference will discuss learning for 'sustainability' in the European
context. The participants will be national government
representatives of 44 states of the Council of Europe, civil society
organizations, parliamentarians from the member states and regional or
local authorities in the member states of the Council of Europe.
Most delegates will be from education, human rights or foreign affairs
departments.
http://www.ecdpm.org
HOGESCHOOL SOUTH
GETS IT CLUSTER GRANT
[GOV: Heerlen, September]
Heerlen City Council has decided to award a maximum grant of EUR
125,000 to Hogeschool Zuyd for the establishment and
development of an IT knowledge cluster in South Limburg. The Hogeschool
Zuyd, a tertiary institution, requested the subsidy also on behalf
of the Open University and the International Institute of Infonomics
in respect of their joint role of knowledge transfer to SMEs in the
region and the encouragement of regional economic development.
The subsidy was applied for subproject 1 - the establishment of an
organizational structure for the cluster developing into an
international cooperative association with clear value for regional
economic activity. The project concludes with a presentation of
a business plan which describes how a knowledge cluster will operate
in the market and can cover its expenses for the 2003/2006 period.
There is an important role in the project for cooperation in regional
business which is keen to cooperate. The total cost of
subproject 1 for 2002 is EUR 630,000. The cluster partners
contribute EUR 30,000 in addition to the municipal contribution.
Co-financing of EUR 125,000 has been applied for from provincial GSB
funds, the large city development funds and EUR 350,000 from the
European Fund for Regional Development and additional provincial
funding.
http://www.hszuyd.nl/index.jsp
MIXED EDUCATION
[EDU: Hasselt, August 31]
Starting next week boys will be admitted to the Ursula Girls School in
Herk-de-Stad and girls to the Amandinacollege for Boys. Mixed
education is starting now although the Flemish community only requires
it for primary schools from 2003. Thus far only 2 of the 35 children
involved have made the change.
http://www.hbvl.be
UNU/INTECH
[EDU: Maastricht, August]
Professor Nathan Rosenberg, Professor of Public Policy at Stanford
University, will give the second annual Amilcar Herrera Public Lecture
on September 26 2002, on “Sources of Innovation in Developing
Economies: Reflections on the Asian Experience”. The Lecture will
take place at UNU/INTECH from 16.00hrs to 17.30hrs in Conference Room
1, and will be followed by a reception. The event is open to
academics, researchers and others interested in science, technology
and development. Register by September 15 as there is limited
space.
http://www.intech.unu.edu
LIFE
SCIENCE AND SCI-TECH
AIXTRON
AT MAGDEBURG/SHANGHAI...
[TECH: Aachen/Magdeburg/Shanghai,
September 12]
Aixtron
has successfully installed its Tricent® Reactor at the new
cleanroom facilities of the University of Magdeburg, headed by Prof.
Dr. Edmund P. Burte. As part of their very close co-operation, the
University of Magdeburg and Aixtron will jointly undertake research
activities on new precursors and related physical properties for the
materials strontium bismuth tantalate (SBT),
and lead zirconium tantalate (PZT) for future Non-Volatile Memory
(FeRAM) applications.
Aixtron
has also opened a new service office in Shanghai, China, offering a
comprehensive service, local spare parts supply and process support
for the group's entire product range which includes Aixtron AG, Thomas
Swan Scientific Equipment Ltd., and Epigress AB CVD systems. A team of
highly qualified service engineers with vast expertise in the group's
products will provide customers support from the new office.
http://www.aixtron.com
CRYSTAL
CLEAR
[LIFE-SCI: Liège, September
11]
Crescendeau is to be the name for a new institution established
by the Walloon government at the University of Liège as a center for
research and expertise in applied environmental sciences with special
reference to water. It will be funded in the context of the EU's
Objective II project. The University of Liège already has 150
people in 30 different departments concerned with the study of sweet
water and marine aquatic eco-systems in both basic and applied
research. Some members of the academic staff at the University
of Liège set up the first Belgian center for the study of water (Cebedeau)
in 1947 and this became a benchmark for a range of industries
concerned with the study, analysis and treatment of water.
Topics of concern and interest are the use of biomarkers to determine
the potential and global impact of pollution on organisms in the
water. Also important, in this regard, are toxicology tests that
are easy and fast to use in labs or on the spot. Questions of
water storage and transportation are also matters of interest.
http://www.ulg.ac.be/
SOFTWARE
AGENTS IN AACHEN
[TECH: Aachen, September 8]
The 25th International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, KI-2002,
of the Society for Information Sciences at the University of Aachen,
will take place September 16 through 20, 2002. Around 300
participants from science and industry will be looking at the latest
products and results of research from all areas of artificial
intelligence from automatic planning systems through intelligence
information integration on the worldwide web to robotics. The
principle topic for the meeting is agent-based information systems.
Software agents are the basis for search engines on the internet but
also the information focus for robot football teams and assimilation
of complex social or business systems. Find more at
http://www.ki2002.rwth-aachen.de
COMPUTER
TELEPHONY AT CYCOS
[TECH:
Aachen, September 6 ]
From the next product release, mrs 5.1, Cycos will be supporting
computer telephony in addition to unified messaging for the Siemens
HiPath 4000 product version. This means that Cycos offers
the total functional range for advanced unified messaging for Siemens
telephone equipment. HiPath for computer telephony is based on
the latest Siemens CSTA Common Application Platform. Cycos has
met the certification requirements of Siemens in Vienna.
http://www.cycos.com
MORE
LED WAFERS FOR TAIWAN
[TECH: Aachen/Taiwan,
September 4]
Epitech
Technology Corporation, a young compound semiconductor Epi house
established in May 2000 based in Tainan, Taiwan, has recently
contracted two further Aixtron MOCVD production tools for the mass
production of LED wafers. Both systems will be used to
manufacture AIGaInP UHB LED wafers. Epitech designs,
develops, manufactures and markets epitaxial products. The
systems will be installed in the Tainan Science based Industrial park
in Taiwan. With an installed base of well over 650 systems
worldwide, Aixtron is, as verified by VLSI Research Inc., the world
leading supplier of equipment for semiconductor epitaxy and has been
rated once more amongst the 2002 ten best in its category in the most
recent VLSI customer satisfaction survey.
http://www.aixtron.com
MINI
BLOOD PUMP
[LIFE-SCI: Aachen, September
2]
Doctors and engineers at Aachen University have developed the world's
first mini blood pump which can be transported to the heart and
activated there. It is 3mm thick, half as big as the smallest
blood pump developed so far. Only a small puncture in the artery
is necessary to introduce it into the body. This spares the
cardiac patient an extra operation and intensive care. The idea
comes from Radiologist, Professor Thomas Schmitz-Rode who has been
working on Stents, which gave him the idea. In the meantime the
idea has developed into a patented prototype. It has a capacity
of 30,000 revolutions a minute for three liters of blood, that is 60%
of the performance of a normal heart the size of a fist. The
pump can relieve the heart in the case of an infarction or when the
heart muscle is weakened.
http://www.rwth-aachen.de
200
MEDICINAL PLANTS
[LIFE-SCI: Elsenborn, August
27]
Ortis laboratories, which make plant based food supplements with
the objective of improving daily health, have set up a garden with 200
medicinal plants Herba Sana at the cost of more than EUR
250,000, in the Haute-Fagnes. Thousands of visitors now visit
the garden which took more than two years to prepare. It is
dedicated to healing plants. It can be from May to September on
the first Saturday of the month from 10.00hrs - 16.00hrs or by
appointment. Information from Isabelle.cornette@ortis.com
http://www.ortis.com
LEISURE
RUSSIAN CHORAL MASS
[LEI: Maastricht, September 15]
Maastricht's Cappella Sancti Servatii, conducted by Peter Serpenti,
will sing the Missa per Coro a Cappella by the Russian
composer, Peteris Vasks, at the High Mass to be celebrated at the
Saint Servatius Basilica on September 22 at 10.00hrs, in memory of KRO
Broadcasting's Wico Clements who died recently. Mr Clements presented
many programs with the choir.
http://www.webcontentnow.com
http://www.cappellasintservaas.nl
CARMEN
AT THE MECC
[LEI: Maastricht, September 12]
There will be performances of Bizet's opera Carmen in the South Hall
of the MECC in Maastricht on December 28, 29 and 30 of this year
followed by January 3 and 4 2003. This is the fourth time in
succession that the Royal Walloon Opera is to put on the show and for
the first time they will be accompanied by the Limburg Symphony
Orchestra providing a truly Euroregional event. A cast of 250
will be directed by Friederich Pleyer as conductor in the December
performances and by Maastricht's own Edouard Rasquin in January.
The title role of Carmen will be played by a young mezzo soprano from
Moldavia, Elena Cassian and by the young French mezzo Patricia
Fernandez. There are also a couple of stalwart Bulgarian tenors.
The Director of the Royal Walloon Opera, Molière-award winning
Jean-Louis Grinda famous for his musicals and currently enmeshed in
the ring cycle, confided that he would be presenting a musical of
'Some like it hot' at the beginning of next season. He also
expressed his confidence in Euroregional cooperation on the opera
front [a new chance for Operazuid perhaps, Ed.] and hoped that
this would be extended and expanded in the future. The
Press conference, which included servings of NH Hotel Maastricht's
Spanish tapas and a piped music version of Carmen in the gentlemen's
lavatory, was brought to a fitting conclusion with an inspired
monologue by Jacques Giesen, Director of Theater aan het
Vrijtof. He covered the nature of tragedy, linking Maastricht,
Carmen, the Gods of Ancient Greece and 9/11, almost without taking a
breath.
http://www.mecc.nl
HOMAGE
TO LIEGE
[LEI: Eijsden, September 12]
The publication by Artibus ad Mosam of a book of essays
dedicated to the City of Liège, called Bloed, Zweet en Treinen
has already been reported on in previous newsletters. However,
its reception in Liège on Sunday September 1 is certainly worth a
footnote. The good ship, Bateau des Bonshommes, set sail
from Maastricht with a complement in excess of 220 souls and duly
arrived in Liège, where the party hastened to the great abbey church
of St Jacques for the official presentation. They were
welcomed at the church by Mayor Willy Demeyer, the Chief Alderman of
the City, William Ancion, the Alderman responsible for the arts,
Hector Magotte and the priest in charge, Father Houssa. The
mayor received the first copy of the book from the hands of Alderman
Jacobs, deputizing for the Mayor of Maastricht, and gave an impressive
thank you speech in Dutch. After a concert of organ music, the
congregation moved to the city hall where they was plenty of
opportunity for networking, assisted by generous libations of pékèt
and splendid renditions of both the Liège and Maastricht
national(?) anthems by a sparkling Hortense Brounts. The book,
stocks of which are rapidly disappearing from Galerie Wolfs,
and support for it, is motivated by three factors: in the first
instance, by the personal commitment of Artibus ad Mosam, its authors
and their involvement in the topics; secondly, by a strong sense of
nostalgia for an old relationship with Liège that still exists in
some quarters in Maastricht and thirdly by a sensible business
interest - particularly on the part of the real estate fraternity, who
have not been slow in realizing the investment opportunities offered
by a Liège reborn.
http://www.webcontentnow.com
CHRISTIAN
LAGERWAARD ON THE CATWALK
[LEI: Maastricht, September 3]
On Sunday September 15 at 14.00hrs, Christian Lagerwaard will present
his new collection for winter 2002 in the Derlon theatre, Plein 1992,
Céramique. The tone of the collection will be between Baroque
and High-tech. Lagerwaard has chosen innovative materials and a
classical touch for this exhibition. Lagerwaard won the Prix
Guy Laroche in 1985 as the best young talent and, in 1992, he
worked for the studios of Emanuel Ungaro in Paris and has been there
ever since. In 2000, he presented his collection at the
residence of the Dutch Ambassador in Paris.
http://www.vvvmaastricht.nl
MULTIMEDIA
ART
[LEI: Liège, September ]
There will be an exhibition of the work of Jacques Louis Nyst (Liège
1942 - 1996) in Liège at the Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art
Contemporain (MAMAC) from September 20 - October 27. His
paintings and photos will be shown at the MAMAC. Paper,
aquarelles and silk screens will be shown at the Cabinet des
Estampes and films and video installations will be shown at
L'Espace Brasseurs in the middle of the city. The Comptoir du
Livre which is dedicated to small art publishers will present
various editions of books and catalogues to which he contributed.
The exhibition is Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 14.00hrs to
18.00hrs and Sunday from 11.00hrs to 16.00hrs. l'Espace des
Brasseurs is closed on Sunday. Entry to MAMAC and Cabinet
des Estamptes is EUR 5, entrance is free to the Brasseurs
and Comptoir du Livre.
http://www.mamac.org
http://www.lecomptoir.be
VEGETABLES
ON DISPLAY
[LEI: Maastricht, September]
The Hotel Crowne Plaza Maastricht (Hotel Maastricht) is presenting an
exhibition of the work of the Eindhoven painter Jacques van Erven from
the Wanda Reiff gallery to mark 25 years of hospitality on the Meuse.
The vernissage starts on September 19 at 17.00hrs at the Crowne
Plaza.
http://www.bilderberg.nl
MUSIC
IN THE BARN
[LEI: Fourons, September]
On Sunday afternoon September 22 at 15.00hrs there will be a concert
by the Kwinten Trio with Thomas van Brakel on the piano, Céline
Bodson, violin and Jasper van Aalst, cello, who will play the Mozart
piano trio, the Haydn piano trio and the Mendelssohn piano trio.
Entrance is EUR 15 per person. Their telephone number is 00 32 (0)4
381 2367
http://www.webcontentnow.com
EURIADE
2002
[LEI: Aachen, September]
The Euriade Euroregional Association is holding a concert on November
15 in the Ballsaal of the old Kurhaus in Aachen as part of the
Apollo and Dionysos program. There will be a string trio playing
works of Johann Sebastian Bach and Jean Francaix. Tickets EUR 15
and EUR 12.
http://www.euriade.net
FASHION
IN HASSELT
[LEI: Hasselt, September ]
Hasselt will be looking at cycling gear through December 29 at the
Fashion Museum, Gasthuisstraat 11, Hasselt.
http://www.toerismelimburg.be
ROAD RACING
PROGRAM
[LEI: Hasselt, September ]
To celebrate the 2002 World Cycle road racing championship in Hasselt
there will be an extensive program of activities, including the
fashion prolog mentioned above. Other activities will include visits
to the gin museum, the city's Stellingwerfff-Waerdenhof Museum,
the Japanese garden, the Bovy park in Heusden-Zolder and the
center for durable construction in Heusden-Zolder.
http://www.toerismelimburg.be
AUTUMN
IN THE WOODS
[LEI: Malmedy, September ]
East Belgium has come out with its autumn catalogue of events which
includes walking in the woods, music, the theatre and visits to the
Ardennes center. See the link for more news.
http://www.eastbelgium.com
THEATER
ARTS
[LEI: Maastricht, September]
There will be a theater arts festival with groups from Belgium
and the Netherlands at the Maaslandcentrum in Elsloo. October
19 van Sophocles 'Antigone', November 16 'Closer' by Patrick Marber,
November 23 'de presidentes' by Werner Schwab, November 30 'Hebriana'
by Lars Norén, December 7 'Kunst' by Yasmina Reza, December 14
'malade imaginase' by Molière in Dutch, December 21 'Mussen en Zwanen
2' by van Haye van der Heyden and on January 11 there will be a final
evening with the award of prizes. Information at 00 31 (0)46 437
17 14.
http://www.webcontentnow.com
LEISURE
CRUISES
[LEI: Maastricht, September]
The Stiphout shipping line offers cruises on the Meuse from September
17 to October 27, daily except for Monday, leaving every hour from
12.00hrs to 16.00hrs and a cruise to St Pietersburg caves September 17
to October 27, every day except for Monday, departure is hourly
12.00hrs to 14.00hrs every day and Sunday from 13.00hrs. Every
Saturday evening there is a candlelight cruise through to December 21
and every Sunday morning a brunch cruise through to December 22.
There are trips to Liège from October 6 to December 22 every Sunday
leaving Maastricht at 10.00hrs.
http://www.stiphout.nl
PARADE
D'AUTOMOBILES 2002
[LEI: Maastricht, August]
With the assistance of the well known Maastricht based automotive
expert, Rob Leclercq, the Bassin business community in Maastricht will
be holding a Parade d' Automobiles on Saturday October 19 from
12 noon. There will also be the opportunity to get to know the Bassin
and to join them for a drink.
http://www.webcontentnow.com
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