We are living in
West-Flanders, and known for being hard workers. I was not surprised to read in
an article that, besides being a top region for recreation and being a quality
region, our province is very enterprising. The provincial government will focus
in this spearhead and deepen and capitalise on this winning asset in the
further future. This is good news for us, young entrepreneurs…
I am very proud to live in this wonderful province that gives me
opportunities in life…
This
article was adapted from:
Economy
The coastal province is
bustling¹ with economic activity.
Sectors such as agriculture and fisheries are historically interwoven with the
province. But there is also strong industrial presence and trade and
distribution are well developed as well.
The industrial recovery of companies in
West-Flanders afterWorld War II is enduring². Turnover³ and exports continue to rise. Expansion, automation
and environmental investments are guarantees for the future.
Unemployment
is low and there is a high demand for skilled technicians. At present, there is
extensive employment in metallurgy, the textiles and clothing sector,
nutrition, chemicals and plastics
Small and medium-sized Enterprises are of great importance
for the economic development of West Flanders. This form of entrepreneurship
has grown through history. Family owned and operated companies with West
Flemish roots still form the cradle⁴ of regional growth. They are the engine of West Flanders. Not only are they an important source of employment,
but they also underlie the quality of life and wellbeing of the region. West
Flanders moreover enjoys a favourable investment climate for companies large
and small. So, the future remains secure.
The Flemish Coast, Bruges
and Westhoek are the traditional magnets of West Flanders. Tourism is one of
the most important mainstays of the West Flemish economy. The sector keeps
registering continuous growth. Furthermore, tourism is expanding ever further
over the entire region. Flemings and the international public alike find a full
range of days and accommodation tourism in West Flanders. Many tourists come
from neighbouring countries, but also from elsewhere in Europe, America and
Japan.
Agriculture,
horticulture5 and fishing
West Flanders is the most
agricultural province in Flanders, with the family embedded mixed concerns and
land crops 6. Livestock7 breeding, agriculture and
horticulture supply quality Foods and constitute an important pillar of the
countryside in Flanders.
The supply of raw materials
and processing of agricultural produce led to a sound8 industry and a source of
growing indirectly employment. West Flanders has acquired a unique position at
world level on this front.
Fishing is an industry
typical of West Flanders. The total value of the fish that Belgian vehicles
bring into harbours such as Zeebrugge, Ostend and Nieuwpoort exceeds 81 million
euros. Specialised personnel are increasingly called upon for the high-tech
fishing vessels9.
Education
When it comes to education,
Flanders is said to have one of the best education systems in the whole world.
There are no universities in West-Flanders. However, the province does have
three university-colleges (HOWEST, KATHO, KHBO), as well as the KULAK - the
bachelor campus of K.U. Leuven (Catholic University of Louvain) in Kortrijk. In
addition, some of the schools in West Flanders offer a few unique, sector-oriented
training programmes, such as maritime techniques in Ostend and textile
production techniques in Waregem.
1 bustling - full with
2 enduring - continuing, lasting
3 the turnover - the amount of business
done in a given time
4 the cradle- the origin
5 the horticulture - the cultivation of
fruits, vegetables, flowers or ornamental plants
6
land crops - the amount of cultivated
plants, vegetables, fruit… in any particular season
7
livestock - domesticated animals raised
in an agricultural setting to produce commodities such as food, fibre, and labour
8
sound - healthy
9 a
vessel - a passenger or
freight-carrying ship or boat
