Belgium Unlimited 5 En

© OPT

Belgian frigate for Operation Atalanta

On August 17, 2009 the frigate Louise Marie of the Belgian Navy left Zeebrugge to participate for four and a half months in Operation Atalanta. This is the European Union's operation to combat piracy off the Somali coast. Last year Belgium committed itself to participate in the EU's Atalanta EUNAVFOR, which was launched on December 8, 2008. The Louise Marie is participating since September 1, 2009. The mission will last until December 13, and the return to Zeebrugge is planned for December 23. The frigate's mission will mainly consist of escorting ships carrying goods from the World Food Program, patrol the Gulf of Aden, and take action against pirates in accordance with Resolution 1851 of the UN Security Council. http://www.mil.be

New composition federal government

On July 17, 2009, the Belgian federal government underwent a number of changes and shifts. Some ministers were replaced, and others' powers were amended. At Foreign Affairs Yves Leterme has taken the place of Karel De Gucht, who is now European Commissioner. http://www.belgium.be

Yves Leterme

© Jos Hansoul - Defense

Belgium on the international stage

NASA calls on Belgian to analyze snowfall on Mars

On May 25, 2008, NASA's Mars Lander Phoenix landed on the red planet, and operated until November 2 of that year. It was the first mission to the far northern part of Mars. Dr. Frank Daerden, scientist at the Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy (BIRA), was the only European to take part in the analysis of the latest data on clouds and precipitation in the Martian atmosphere.

The Phoenix carried a Canadian weather station to measure the local Mars weather. One of the instruments aboard this weather station is the LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), which is able to very precisely detect clouds in the Martian atmosphere using a laser beam.

The LIDAR discovered that during the local summer and autumn, a nocturnal cloud layer is formed at an altitude of 4 km. These clouds were found to be composed of water ice. This newly discovered type of clouds on Mars is very similar to our familiar cirrus clouds on Earth. Photos of the Martian clouds taken by the cameras on the Lander were able to confirm this. The most notable discovery was that of precipitation of ice crystals coming from these clouds. In many cases, this precipitation reached the Martian surface. This phenomenon had never been seen on any planet other than Earth. One can actually call this ice rain, or possibly even snow. BIRA-scientist Frank Daerden has many years of experience in the study of ice clouds on Earth and on Mars. The Phoenix team therefore invited him to join them to analyze the cloud and precipitation measurements. Based on the LIDAR measurements, Dr. Daerden was able to determine the size of the falling ice crystals. On average these ice crystals measure 127 µm (micrometers). Ice particles of this size have never before been observed on Mars. These ice crystals are very similar to particles of ice precipitation on Earth. Under Dr. Dearden's leadership, BIRA also developed a computer model for the study of ice clouds on Mars, which will be very useful in further analysis of the Phoenix measurements. On July 3, 2009 the results of the study were published in the scientific journal Science. http://www.aeronomie.be http://www.urania.be http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMLNS6CTWF_Belgium_fr_0.html

Science

© NASA

Researchers at Catholic University of Leuven discover explanation for self-cleaning system atmosphere

Contrary to popular wisdom that plants and trees filter the air, scientists -until recently- were of the opposite opinion because trees and plants give off massive amounts of isoprene, a chemical compound that has an annoying feature: it breaks down hydroxyl radicals, naturally occurring substances with the special ability to cleanse the atmosphere. In regions with high isoprene levels like tropical rainforests one would expect, at least according to standard chemical models, low levels of hydroxyl. But recent measurements of different research teams have shown that the conventional wisdom has it quite right: wooded areas with high isoprene emissions, such as in the Amazon, are rich in hydroxyl radicals. This is entirely contrary to the model predictions. A team from the Catholic University of Leuven (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. KUL), led by professor emeritus Jozef Peeters, has determined the cause of this anomaly using theoretical chemical research. The oxidation of emitted isoprene namely ensures a recycling of the hydroxyl radicals. This explains why the level of hydroxyl radicals over rainforests is vastly greater than previously assumed. Further research is to confirm this process. Exact knowledge of the chemical processes is the main prerequisite to be able to put in place long-term effective measures to preserve the self-cleaning capability of our fragile atmosphere. Professor emeritus Peeters' research, just published in the premier journal PhysChemChemPhys, is also highlighted in the leading magazine Highlights in Chemical Science. http://www.kuleuven.be

Ghent University and IMEC Reveal New Optical Forces

The University of Ghent (UGent) and the nanoelectronics research center IMEC demonstrated repulsive and attractive nanophotonic forces, depending on the spatial distribution of the light used. These fundamental research results might have major consequences for telecommunication and optical signal processing.

Photon impulse is usually considered to be relatively weak. In our macroscopic world, photons bumping into an object exert an almost negligible force on this object. Nevertheless, this picture changes dramatically when the object size is shrunk to nanoscale dimensions. When light is confined to very small cross-sections and large gradients exist in the spatial field distribution of the light, the optical gradient force induced per photon increases dramatically.

Using advanced fabrication technologies, including DUV (Deep Ultraviolet) lithography and critical-point-drying, the researchers created two parallel waveguides on a silicon-on-insulator chip. The waveguides are freestanding, acting as movable strings. They have a width of 445nm, a height of 220nm, a length of approximately 25µm and they are separated by a 220nm gap. By sending laser light through the waveguides the researchers generated optical forces between them. Depending on the spatial distribution of the light (both in amplitude and phase) the strings were attracting or repulsing each other. The repulsive force that had never been demonstrated before makes this experiment of fundamental scientific importance.

The experiment might eventually have a major impact to achieve very high speed telecommunication for optical forces provide an interesting option for implementing all-optical signal processing functions on a chip. All-optical routing is one of the key challenges in developing faster communication networks (such as the internet) and the new technique opens up new routes towards solutions for this bottleneck.

The detailed experimental results were published in the August issue of the premier scientific journal Nature Nanotechnology.

http://www.ugent.be http://www.imec.be © UGent – IMEC

Detection of colon cancer thanks to a swallowable capsule Results of a study recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine show the efficacy of a new instrument, a capsule, to detect colon cancer. The group of European physicians responsible for this publication was lead by two Belgian gastroenterologists, Jacques Devièvre and André Van Gossum, both of the Erasmus Hospital in Brussels. To date, colonoscopy is the most common technique for the detection of colon cancer. However, for the patient this method is rather uncomfortable. The new capsule, produced by the company Given Imaging-Israel, is to be swallowed by the patient with a full glass of water. Throughout the journey through the intestine, the capsule takes 4 photos per second. Tests performed on 328 patients have demonstrated that the system works quite well. Nevertheless, at present the capsule's results are less satisfactory than a colonoscopy, and will therefore not (yet) replace that procedure. Still, the two techniques could be complementary in nature. Work is already in progress on a second version of the capsule, which will allow for the taking of more images, at a better angle. http://www.erasme.ulb.ac.be http://www.givenimaging.com

World first in Belgian

hospital: cultured cells heal heart A Belgian hospital (Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg / ZOL) has implanted heart muscle cells into a cardiac patient that were grown from his own bone marrow. This is a world first. ZOL is the only Limburg hospital to take part in a global pilot project led from the United States. Research is being conducted on how stem cell therapy - where cells are removed from a patient's very own bone marrow - can help heal damaged heart muscle. A severe heart attack tends to cause up to fifty percent of the heart muscle to die back. Until now, these patients could only be treated with medication, and a defibrillator. Today, stem cell therapy actually cultures heart muscle cells, which are subsequently placed back into the heart. The research is promising and may eventually lead to a technique to avoid heart transplants altogether. http://www.zol.be http://www.c3bs.com

Paralyzed foal can walk again thanks to University of Ghent researchers

Researchers at the faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Ghent University have succeeded to help a paralyzed foal walk again. Research showed that the paralysis in the three week old colt was due to a spinal cord injury. During the operation, which was conducted in early July, a vertebral bone (lamina) as well as a cyst which pressed on the spinal cord was removed. This technique is relatively commonly applied to small animals, but was never before performed on larger ones. Surgeons from various large and small animal research groups closely cooperated during the operation. During post-treatment, the foal received antibiotics, severe pain treatment, and physiotherapy. After the fourth week the animal is scheduled to undergo intensive rehabilitation treatment, whereby it will use a specially designed trolley to support and readjust the hindquarters. The colt, named Vitelle, is now taking a daily stroll through the lobby of the animal clinic. It has already successfully moved both rear legs. http://www.ugent.be

© Given Imaging Israel

© UGent

© c3bs

Formula 1 Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps (28-29-30 August, 2009)

In late August the Formula 1 Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, an annual sports event that guarantees many surprises, sensations and emotions, took place. The names of the greatest F1 drivers ever adorn the records of achievement of this legendary circuit. It is a very technical circuit where long, straight lines alternate with breakneck corners. With its outward sloping turns, creeping hairpin turns (La Source), and the famous "Raidillon" (Eau Rouge), this circuit offers both drivers and spectators thrills that no other circuit can match. At one time, Michael Schumacher described the Spa-Francorchamps circuit as follows: "Putting pedal to the metal, burning rubber driving full throttle up the amazing Raidillon of Eau Rouge is absolutely an indescribable thrill. In my opinion this is by far the best circuit, period!” (From L’humanité, 2001) Likewise, the 2009 version of the Grand Prix was extraordinary. The originally advertised participation of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, who would replace the injured Felipe Massa for Ferrari, provided for excellent ticket sales. And the victory went to … Ferrari’s Kimi Räikkönen from Finland! It’s was his fourth victory in five years. The Italian driver Giancarlo Fisichella (Force India) finished second, close to a second behind Räikkönen. http://www.spa-francorchamps.be/ http://www.spagrandprix.com/ http://www.formula1.com/races/in_detail/belgium_817/circuit_diagram.html

33rd Belgacom Memorial Van Damme meeting, September 4, 2009 (King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels) The memory of Ivo Van Damme (1954-1976), the most accomplished Belgian athlete ever in the 800 and 1500m middle-distance run, lives on in one of the most important athletics meetings in the world: the Memorial Van Damme.

Ivo Van Damme attained his most remarkable results at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games, where he won silver medals on both the 800 and 1500m. Van Damme lost his life in a traffic accident on his way home from training camp in the south of France. A year later a number of sports journalists, inspired by Wilfried Meert, organized the Memorial Van Damme for the first time as a posthumous tribute to the young athlete.

The 33rd Memorial attracted top-level athletes like Usain Bolt, (Jamaica) - 200m, Tyson Gay (USA) - 100m, Asafa Powell (Jamaica) - 100m, Kenenisa Bekele (Ethiopia) - 5000m, Yelena Isinbayeva (Russia) - pole vault, Sanya Richards (USA) - 400m, Shelly-Ann Fraser (Jamaica) - 100m, Blanka Vlasic (Croatia) - high jump... This year the Memorial Van Damme added a main attraction: a men's 4x1500m.

That specialty still held the oldest world record: 32 years ago, on August 17, 1977 in Cologne, the West German team led by Thomas Wessinghage ran the distance in 14:38:80. For this event at the 33rd Memorial Van Damme, Kenya dispatched its most accomplished world-class 1500m athletes with only one goal in mind: to crush the world record. And they were successful: W. Biwott, G. Gathimba, G. Rono and A. Choge improved the 1977 world record at the 4x1500m relay with more than 2 seconds: 14:36.23!

The sprint events displayed very fast times. The Jamaican Asafa Powell won the 100m in 9.90 and beat the American runner up Tyson Gay. With 19.57 Usain Bolt broke Tyson Gay's stadium record at the 200 m. At the 5000m, Kenenisa Bekele finished in 12.55.31. After an exciting end of the 2009 Golden League meetings Yelena Isinbayeva, Kenenisa Bekele and Sanya Richards can share the 1 million dollar jackpot among them. They each won their respective 6 Golden League events.

http://www.sport.be/belgacommemorialvandamme/2009/eng/

© B. Lorquet

© Helena Van De Velde

© Helena Van De Velde

Rogier van der Weyden 1400/1464 – Master of Passions (M Leuven, 20 September – 6 December 2009) The exhibition Rogier van der Weyden 1400/1464 – Master of Passions illustrates the originality and importance of the most influential painter of the 15th century and the first to depict real people with real emotions. In bringing more than 100 masterpieces to M, Leuven’s new museum which opens on September 20th, it promises to be one of the cultural highlights of 2009. The beginning of the 15th century saw the emergence of a talented generation of painters in the Low Countries. With their exceptional eye for detail, they were an innovative force in Western painting. These artists went down in history as the Flemish Primitives. Rogier van der Weyden and Jan van Eyck tower above the others. Van Eyck is an outstanding observer and van der Weyden is the inimitable master of passion and subdued emotion. Van der Weyden is generally regarded as the most influential painter in the Southern Netherlands in the 15th century. Indeed, his artistic idiom was copied all over Europe. The prestigious exhibition in Leuven is a unique opportunity to discover or rediscover the artist. His originality and influence are illustrated by means of over 100 masterpieces on loan from major European and North-American collections. Some works return to Flanders for the first time in six centuries. http://www.rogiervanderweyden.be/en/ http://www.mleuven.be

Exhibition dedicated to Belgian artist James Ensor at Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York and Musée d’Orsay in Paris

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) dedicates an exhibition (23 June – 21 September 2009) to the Belgian artist James Ensor (1860-1949) and presents approximately 120 paintings, drawings and prints. The exhibition will travel to Paris (Musée d’Orsay), from 20 October 2009 to 4 February 2010. James Ensor, a native of the Belgian coastal town of Ostend, was a major figure in the Belgian avant-garde of the late nineteenth century and an important precursor to the development of Expressionism in the early twentieth. In both respects he has influenced generations of later artists. This exhibition examines Ensor's contribution to modernity, his innovative and allegorical use of light, his prominent use of satire, his deep interest in carnival and performance, and his own self-fashioning and use of masking, travesty, and role-playing. Most of the works in this exhibition were made during Ensor’s most creative period, from 1880 to the mid-1890’s. http://www.moma.org http://www.musee-orsay.fr James Ensor, Skeletons Fighting over a Pickled Herring, 1891 Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels The intrigue, 1890 Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Antwerp

Rogier van der Weyden, St. Mary Magdalene Reading National Gallery London

Belgians at the Venice Biennial for Contemporary Art (June 3 to November 22, 2009)

The Venice Biennial is a leading international art celebration being held in Venice every two years. Various disciplines are covered: visual arts, architecture, music, theater and dance. 77 countries are represented in national exhibitions across various pavilions in the Giardini, and other sites in Venice. Besides the artists selected by the participating countries, a curator composes a themed exhibition in the Arsenale.

The Belgian pavilion in Venice is alternately utilized by either the French or Flemish communities. This year was the Flemings turn. Flanders was represented by Jef Geys for the current edition of this leading international art event. Over the past 50 years, Jef Geys has established an impressive artistic body of work consisting of paintings, drawings, spacial installations and projects.

Jef Geys' submission for the Biennial is a project entitled "Quadra Medicinale". For this project four of Geys' acquaintances collected twelve street plants in the surroundings of their homes (New York, Moscow, Brussels and Villeurbanne). The result is an inventory of the common plant. It is a pavilion on instinct, on survival in the big city, an ode to the ordinary.

© Jef Geys « Quadra Medicinale », 2009 Belgian Pavilion, 53rd International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia Photocredit : Katrin Greiling

Besides Jef Geys several other Belgians are in attendance in Venice:

• Wim Delvoye built “Torre”, a Gothic tower in the Peggy Guggenheim museum. • Alex Vervoordt organizes an exhibition at the Palazzo Fortuny: “In-finitum”. • Jan Fabre fills the Arsenale Novissimo with the installation “From the Feet to the Brain”. • Jacques Charlier's drawings in poster form titled “100 sexes d’artistes”, were found to be too explicit by

the organizers. Consequently, Charlier took refuge to a boat moored in front of the Giardini.

http://www.labiennale.org/en/Home.html http://www.wiels.org/site2/event.php?event_id=182&lng=en http://www.wimdelvoye.be/ http://www.janfabre.be/Pages/index.php http://www.artinfo.com/galleryguide/26444/13203/121217/palazzo-fortuny-venice/exhibition/in-finitum/press_release/ http://www.jacquescharlier-venise2009.be/projet/

Brussels, Art Nouveau's capital

5th Art Nouveau-Biennial: “From Art Nouveau to Art Deco” (Brussels, 3 - 25 October, 2009)

The 5th Art Nouveau-Biennial, organized by Voir et Dire Bruxelles, will take place in October during the first four weekends in that month. The Biennial 2009 theme is “From Art Nouveau to Art Deco”.

Since its first occurrence in 2001, the Biennial's visibility has continued to increase, as have its visitor numbers. Thus, the Biennial attracted over 5000 visitors in 2007, and has since become an event with a truly international scope. During the Biennial each district of the Belgian capital opens mansions, private homes, schools and shops, and public buildings exclusively to the public, who are invited to uncover Brussels' stunning interiors. Every weekend another Brussels neighborhood stands in the spotlight. Besides visiting interiors, the public can also attend various conferences and participate in other activities around the Art Nouveau and Art Deco theme. Voir et Dire Bruxelles also offers several professionally guided tours, which can be taken either on foot or by bus, or even by bike!

http://www.voiretdirebruxelles.be

38th Festival de Wallonie

(June 13– October 13, 2009, in Brussels and in various Wallonian cities)

The Festival of Wallonia has become one of those not-to-be-missed events in Wallonia's musical life. Six festivals invite the public to discover the architectural and musical heritage of the region. Each year a shared theme forms the common denominator of the entire festival's programming. This year the main theme is "Brittannia". The Festival of Wallonia takes us to England, the country of origin of the four composers whose birthdays the festival this year celebrates: Purcell, Händel, Haydn and Mendelssohn. The guest of honor for this occasion is James Bowman. The avant première took place on June 13 and 14, 2009 in Brussels (Flagey). Thereafter, each of the festivals took/will take place in various Wallonia cities:

Namur: July 3-11, 2009 Saint-Hubert: June 27-July 26, 2009

Stavelot: August 2-15, 2009 Brabant wallon: September 13 - October 10, 2009

Liège: September 5 - October 13, 2009 Hainaut: September 18 - October 10, 2009

http://www.festivaldewallonie.be

KlaraFestival Forza Musica! – 6th “International Brussels Music Festival”

(Brussels, August 28 – September 11, 2009) The Klara Festival, which is co-produced by the Festival of Flanders Brussels, Bozar Music, Flagey, and Klara broadcasting, each year manages to offer the best of classical music but always with an interesting special perspective. Added original concepts have engaged a wide audience. Classical music is no longer corny and boring, but bursting with energy! Forza Musica! No other slogan can embody what the Klara Festival truly signifies. On the occasion of the First Night of the KlaraFestival, listeners who had planned to show up as well as unsuspecting passers-by are presented with classical concerts on various city squares, and in train and subway stations. Every festival day, three scheduled events could always be counted on: at 12:30 pm lunch concerts in Flagey, evening concerts at 8:00 pm (alternately at the Palace of Fine Arts and in Flagey), and around 10:00 pm late nights, held in turn at café Belga one evening, then outside the Heilig Kruisplein / Place Sainte-Croix in Brussels the other. Artists with established reputations, as well as new talent got a chance to perform. This year's program allowed the perception of two specific lines of force: the Far East, which is poised between traditional and contemporary creations, and Sweden, an honored guest on the occasion of its presidency of the European Union. For two weeks straight the Klara Festival was able to be followed live on radio Klara.

http://www.klarafestival.be

Festival van Vlaanderen (Festival of Flanders)

The magnificent architectural heritage of Flanders represents great opportunities and infrastructure for musical events. For over five decades, the Festival of Flanders has used this to rouse the interest of young and the old toward classical music.

By supporting young Flemish artists, and by being at the forefront of innovative trends, the organisation contributes to the cultural effluence of Flanders. Seven festivals, each in their own obstinate yet unique way, amplify their own activities. Some examples: in Antwerp - “Laus Polyphoniae”; in Bruges – the “Musica Antiqua” festival; in Brussels – the “KlaraFestival”; in Ghent – “OdeGand”; in Limburg – the “Basilica Festival” (in Mechelen and Vlaams-Brabant). Regional accents support the entire classical repertoire from the Middle Ages to the present, with occasional excursions to traditional world music.

All in all this adds up to a noteworthy supply of concerts of more than 550 performances and educational projects in over 80 cities and towns.Visitors from in- and outside the country can discover the activities at the Festival of Flanders from June through October. The broad offerings guarantee that there is clearly something for everyone!

http://www.festival.be

Belgium eighth world exporter

The annual World Trade Report 2009 published by the World Trade Organization (WTO) shows that in 2008 Belgium, with 477 billion U.S. dollars, was the eighth largest exporter in the world. http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/pres09_e/pr554_e.htm

Verhaert Space from Kruibeke prepares mini satellite for launch In July and August 2009, Verhaert Space, a company from Kruibeke (Oost-Vlaanderen province) readied the Proba-2 mini satellite for transport to the Plesetsk launch site in Russia. All research, engineering, testing and assembly of Proba-2 took place at Verhaert Space. Plesetsk is where Verhaert Space will once again piece the satellite back together, and conduct final testing before its anticipated launch on November 2. Proba-2 is built at the order of the European Space Agency. The launch of Proba-2 is scheduled eight years after that of Proba-1, the first Belgian satellite which, indeed, is still in working order. The Proba-2 will be orbiting the Earth at an altitude of 728 km in order to be able to optimally observe the Sun.  Two instruments to study the sun are loaded on the Belgian satellite. LYRA acts as a UV radiation meter, and records the Sun's behavior by means of timelines. The SWAP telescope will take images, and thus create a motion picture of the sun and its activity, to include (invisible) solar eruptions. Redu ground station will receive and forward all Proba-2 data.

Smiths Detection sets up Global Government Relations Office in Brussels Smiths Detection, part of the Smiths Group (United Kingdom), is a major player in the provision of threat detection and screening technologies for Military, Transportation, Homeland Security and Resilience applications. Smiths Detection offers advanced security solutions in civil and military markets worldwide, developing and manufacturing government-regulated technology products that identify explosives, chemical and biological agents, weapons and contraband. Smiths Group employs around 22,000 people in more than 50 countries. The company is of the opinion that it is vital to maintain high-level relationships with regulators and policy makers around the world. Opening a Brussels office underlines its commitment to developing a long-term working relationship with the EU to help formulate policy and regulation for the protection of critical national infrastructure. http://www.investinbrussels.com http://www.smithsdetection.com/eng/1025_4715.php

Scania, the Swedish truck manufacturer, expands distribution center Opglabbeek

Swedish truck manufacturer Scania has decided to expand its Opglabbeek (Limburg province) distribution center. Scania delivers parts from its Opglabbeek facility to 900 of its clients in 75 countries. The company has been located in Opglabbeek for over fifteen years; two years ago it acquired six hectares of additional business park sites. At that time Scania also took an option on three additional acres. The acquisition required an investment of € 1.3 million. The expansion of the Opglabbeek distribution center is the result of that location's take-over of the activities of the Södertälje distribution center in Sweden. Initially this doubled the capacity to 64,000 m². This move now adds another 32,000 m².

© Verhaert Space

© Smiths Detection

http://www.scania.com

© Scania

http://www.verhaertspace.com/

Belgian artificial turf for sports fields Mexican football will from now on have a Belgian touch. The Mexican Football Federation has signed an agreement for a long term collaboration with Desso Sports Systems, a Belgian company from Dendermonde (Oost-Vlaanderen province).

Desso Sports Systems is an artificial turf world leader. It annually produces 3 million m² of artificial turf for, among others, football, tennis, hockey and rugby fields. Top clubs like Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid, AZ, PSV Eindhoven and RSC Anderlecht play or practice daily on this artificial grass cover. The Mexican Football Federation selected Desso Sports Systems because of the myriad of positive references it received from top level European clubs already using Desso fields.

Desso is also a pioneer in sustainable manufacturing, and continually seeks to avoid waste production.

http://www.dessosports.com

Belgian technology wins Wimbledon (again) Every single point that Roger Federer scored during his historic victory at Wimbledon 2009 was (in part at least) the result of Belgian state-of-the-art technology: the racket strings Federer uses are manufactured in Antwerp, by the company Luxilon.

Luxilon specializes in the extrusion of monofilaments, and manufactures products which are used in aviation, the medical sector, telecoms, textiles and – increasingly – sports. The first racket strings by Luxilon were developed in 1997 and were an immediate hit, thanks to the Brazilian player Gustavo Kuerten who won Roland Garros with this revolutionary product.

Through the years, the Luxilon strings – also known under the brand name Big Banger – have changed the way tennis is played dramatically; they allow players to hit the ball harder and more precisely. That’s why not only Federer but almost all the top-ten ranked players choose Luxilon strings. Also, a growing number of amateur players are discovering these Belgian-made, hi-tech strings.Meanwhile, the small company Luxilon –with only 25 employees – keeps investing in innovation and regularly issues a new version of its products. A partnership with tennis racket manufacturer Wilson and several top-flight tennis players allow Luxilon to optimally evaluate and improve its new Big Banger strings.

http://www.luxilon.be http://www.investinflanders.be

© Desso Sports Systems

N. Van Malderen (Luxilon) & Roger Federer, 2008

Belgian solar energy company builds solar parks in China The solar energy firm Enfinity from Waregem (West-Vlaanderen province), specializes in the development, implementation, management and financing of renewable energy projects, and particularly in projects concerning wind and solar energy. Enfinity focuses its activities on solar and wind energy investments in countries with special incentive programs. The West-Flemish company already has several projects in Europe under development, and intends to establish new offices in Europe, U.S. and Asia to support its expansion. Recently Enfinity pocketed a contract to build a 10 megawatt solar park in the Chinese Danhuang region. The solar park is being built in cooperation with Chinese nuclear power producer CGNPC and Chinese solar cell manufacturer LDK Solar. Ultimately, Enfinity intends to increase the Danhuang region solar power plant's capacity to 500 megawatts. In addition, the company also received authorization to build a solar park with a total capacity of 10 megawatts in the Shizuishan region.

British company Chiltern expands European operations with new office in Brussels

Chiltern is a leading global clinical research organization, with extensive experience conducting and staffing international Phase I to Phase IV clinical trials across a broad range of therapeutic areas for a wide variety of clients. Chiltern has conducted trials in more than 40 countries and employs 1,400 staff across 29 countries. The company announced that it has opened a new office in Brussels and appointed Maurizio Passanisi as new country manager for Belgium and The Netherlands. Passanisi has over 15 years of experience working in both Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research areas. “Belgium and The Netherlands have always been attractive locations to conduct clinical trials,” Passanisi commented. “The quality of the research is outstanding. Belgium and The Netherlands have many key opinion leaders involved in clinical research lending additional weight to the data and keeping these countries at the forefront of modern research.” Chiltern’s primary goal is to deliver expert, high quality services around the world and these actions demonstrate its commitment to regional expansion in order to serve its clients needs globally.

http://www.chiltern.com

http://www.enfinity.be

GUPC Consortium with Jan De Nul is awarded contract for Panama Canal project The GUPC consortium of which Belgian construction and dredging company Jan De Nul forms part was awarded a multi billion dollar contract in Panama. The consortium scored highest on the technical evaluation and delivered the best price proposal for one of the most prestigious hydraulic engineering projects in the world. GUPC – Grupo Unidos por el Canal – had the “best value” proposal. With the offer of US $ 3.12 billion the consortium did not exceed the Panama Canal’s allocated price of US $ 3.48 billion. The construction of the 3rd set of locks is the most important part of the of the Panama Canal expansion project.

This mega project is one of the largest and most prestigious hydraulic projects of the last decades. The work includes the construction of 6 lock chambers. Each of these lock chambers has a similar size to the “Berendrecht lock” in Antwerp, Belgium, at this moment the largest lock in the world. The project will take 5 years and create more than 6,000 jobs. During that period 40 million m³ of soil will be excavated and 5 million m³ concrete will be poured. The project will allow larger vessels to sail between the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean trough the Panama Canal. Once completed, the capacity of the Panama Canal will be increased with approximately 80 %.

The consortium consists of Spanish constructor Sacyr Vallehermoso, the Italian builder Impregilo, Belgian company Jan De Nul and local construction company Cusa. Works are expected to start early 2010.

http://www.jandenul.be

© Enfinity

© Jan De Nul Group

Important contract for Tractebel in India Tractebel Engineering, one of Europe's largest engineering consultancies, offers a wide range of engineering services for the energy sector, the industry, the tertiary sector, as well as for communities and national or international organizations. Tractebel Engineering has signed an important contract in India. Indian Gas Limited has entrusted a consortium including Tractebel Engineering and other Belgian companies, such as G-Tec, FITA and Logistics in Wallonia, with the study of a master plan for the development of the port of Manappad, at the far south of India. It involves gathering the basic information, drawing up the traffic and capacity forecasts, determining the works schedule and the phases of the project and lastly designing the infrastructure plans of the port and the terminal. The new port should be operational in 2012. http://www.tractebel-engineering.com

Three Belgian beers awarded in Hong Kong Three Belgian beers won first prize at the Hong Kong International Beer Awards. The aim of this competition was to reach a definitive conclusion of the finest beers available in Hong Kong. The beers were judged by a jury. Belgian beers won first prize in three different award categories. The framboise (raspberry) beer from Lindemans brewery was elected best fruit beer. Hoegaarden’s (< AB InBev) white beer won the “Belgium Style Standard Strength Speciality Beer (- 6%)” category. Last but not least, Delirium Tremens from Huyghe brewery was awarded 1st prize in the “Belgium Style Strong Ale (+ 6% ABV)” category. This beer was also elected second best beer in all categories. http://www.restaurantandbarhk.com/en/event_beer_awards.html

© Tractebel Engineering

© Restaurant & Bar Hong Kong

Agenda EVENTS IN BELGIUM

For general touristic information about Belgium: http://www.visitbelgium.com/ http://www.agenda.be http://www.opt.be/accueil/fr/index.html http://www.wallonie-tourisme.be/contenus/agenda__culturel/fr/181.html http://www.cfwb.be/index.php?id=portail_theme_culture http://www.visitflanders.com http://www.cultuurweb.be/CNETPortal/Home2.aspx http://www.opbrussel.be/ CURRENT EXHIBITIONS AND EVENTS Chris Burden. 30 May - 27 September 2009 Antwerp, Museum Middelheim http://www.middelheimmuseum.be Beaufort 03, Art by the sea. Beaufort Inside & Beaufort Outside, Triennial for Contemporary Art 28 March - 4 October 2009 Different locations http://www.beaufort03.be REUNION. From Quinten Metsijs to Peter Paul Rubens. Masterpieces from the Royal Museum reunited in the Cathedral. 5 June - 15 November 2009 Antwerp, Cathedral of Our Lady http://www.dekathedraal.be Castles in the air. Gaasbeek castle 11 September - 15 November 2009 http://www.kasteelvangaasbeek.be Omo: people and design. 7 November 2008 - 3 January 2010 Tervueren, Royal Museum for Central Africa http://www.africamuseum.be Persona. Ritual masks and contemporary art. 24 April 2009 - 3 January 2010 Tervueren, Royal Museum for Central Africa http://www.africamuseum.be 2009, year of the comic strip. 28 February 2008 – 31 December 2009 Brussels http://www.brusselscomics.be

UPCOMING EVENTS 2009 Europalia China. October 2009 – February 2010 Brussels and other Belgian cities http://www.europalia.be Whales and dolphins. 14 October 2009 - 29 August 2010 Brussels, Museum of Natural Sciences http://www.naturalsciences.be Ambiorix, King of the Eburones. 5 December 2009 - 13 June 2010 Tongeren, Gallo-Roman Museum http://www.gallo-romeinsmuseum.be SPORTS Brussels Marathon 4 October 2009 Brussels http://www.sport.be/runningtour/brusselsmarathon/2009/eng/ MUSIC FESTIVALS http://www.festivals.be http://www.a-z.be/muziekfestivals.html FAIRS http://www.beurskalender.be http://mineco.fgov.be/enterprises/fairs/home_nl.htm CONFERENCES http://www.conferencealerts.com/belgium.htm http://www.conference-service.com/conferences/be/index.html http://www.epsilonevents.com FILM FESTIVALS International film festival Flanders-Ghent 6-17 October 2009 Ghent http://www.filmfestival.be/ http://www.insidefilm.com/europe.html