The Wallonia Minister of the Economy, Jean-Claude Marcourt has laid down a new project for the Wallonia government referred to as "Creative Wallonia", within the scope of the Marshall Plan 2 Vert.

In order to maintain its position in the globalised economy, the companies must demonstrate creativity and innovation. “Creative Wallonia” therefore aspires to propel this state of mind via a series of initiatives and a financial solution to projects heading in this direction.

This plan involves three main axes: “Promoting a society of creativity”, “Boosting innovative practices” and “Promoting innovative production”. Behind these headers hides a series of concrete actions aiming at diversifying approaches in the training of future entrepreneurs (integration of lessons in the more creative fields of activity - theatre, design, arts, etc. - in the curriculum for students at the HEC Liège (Liege business school) and in promoting the creation of Co-Working, i.e. meeting and working places where entrepreneurs can exchange information and experiences, or even create future collaborations.

One Wallonia observatory of trends will also be provided with the reports from Awex advisors with the aim of decompartmentalising the sectors and fields via online exchange platforms, where large company representatives, SME managers and artists can be found, each seeking ideas and skills from the other party.

Improving these exchanges will pass via a step involving strengthening the fibre optic network that is currently used in Wallonia.
The minister also proposes the creation of a “Public bank for innovation”, a financial support mechanism for innovators.

Moreover, “Creative Wallonia” proposes other initiatives, however is also based on the creativity of entrepreneurs, who, if capable of demonstrating audacity, should obtain financial support from the region.


Le soir - Jeudi 6 mai 2010