flandersfocus on THE DUTCH SPEAKING PART OF press review weekly, does not appear in July • number 9 • 1 March – 7 March 2003

INTRODUCTION fla r la ndr Ryanair to fly to Ostend su e • s f he activists of the Forum u o c c o u f for Peace Action (Forum s

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a • its ferry service between Ostend and Dover f o s k u its action differently. Around 150 of them were clapped in irons by the local police in a parish centre of the n 1 May the Irish budget airline the airport’s name is being changed to municipal district of Melsele on Saturday even O Ryanair will begin daily flights be- Ostend-Bruges (FF). before they could unfurl their banners. In doing tween Ostend and London Stansted air- so the CD&V Mayor from Beveren wanted to port. The scheduled Ryanair flight is a BERT LAUWERS • DE FINANCIEEL- prevent the campaigners from stopping 18 rail transports of heavy American army equipment, windfall for Ostend airport. Until re- ECONOMISCHE TIJD • 7 MARCH which arrived at the Port of intended cently it only handled charter flights for the Gulf. The police detained the demon- and freight flights. Besides, several Initially Ryanair will be making one strators for 12 hours and the Mayor hid behind freight flights with Russian aircraft daily flight with a Boeing 737-300 with a circular from Foreign Affairs Minister Antoine were recently scrapped because of noise 149 seats. Ostend is setting its sights Duquesne (MR), which bans any obstruction of standards. Ryanair’s arrival is also a mainly on British tourists who want to military transports to explain away his ‘preven- boost for the region around Ostend after visit Bruges. Ryanair, which before the tive intervention’. De Standaard questioned the the British shipping company Hover- transaction entered into an agreement constitutionalness of banning a demonstra- speed announced in December that it with Aviapartner, is known for its tion, and Het Volk (3 March) wondered why the was getting rid of its ferry service be- tough negotiating policy and demands activists were treated like terrorists. De Morgen (7 March) wonders what Duquesne was trying tween Ostend and Dover, with the loss contributions from the smaller airports to achieve by announcing a totally undemocra- of several hundred jobs. Primarily to de- it serves. The contributions Ryanair ex- tic ban on demonstrations as a member of the velop the tourist potential of Bruges, acted at its Belgian base of operations in Purple-Green government, which disapproves Charleroi even led to an investigation of the war. On top of this, not every mayor CONTENTS by the European Commission into dis- agreed with this circular. , SP.A tortion of competition and possible ille- mayor of the adjoining municipality of Sint- Politics gal government support from the Wal- Niklaas, immediately let Duquesne know that Parties prepare for electoral campaign 2 loon Region. his police had better things to do than see to it New action against inequality in Ostend does not want to fall into the that the Americans could prepare for their war. electoral legislation 3 same trap as Charleroi and is immedi- Among the campaigners arrested in Melsele was the Green MP Peter Vanhoutte. There is no Splitting of electoral lists in ately laying its cards on the table so as longer anything unusual about MPs demon- Flemish-Brabant 3 not to make the European Commission strating, and certainly this is appreciated by the Janssens and Van Campenhout orga- suspicious: in Ostend Ryanair received Green grassroots. But the MP now wants the nise clean hands operation in Antwerp 4 a discount ‘seen as normal’ of 30% on anti-war action to be extended into diplomacy. landing rights, says Paul Catrysse, the In De Morgen, Vanhoutte stated that Belgium Economy division head for airports of the Flemish would be better expelling its American diplo- Employers denounce increase in administration. Catrysse stresses that mats if the USA decided to go to war against municipal taxes 4 other companies can also expect a sim- Iraq without a UN mandate and is calling for a Sauwens calls for regionalisation of ilar discount if they ‘provide an equiva- blockade of the Port of Antwerp against the employment policy 5 lent added value to the airport and the transport of war materials. Vanhoutte is far from being the only one against war in Iraq, but Saverys Family splits up CMB 5 economy of the region’. In return, his suggestion is a bridge too far, says Het Be- Bayer Antwerp closes Isocyanates Ryanair is undertaking to carry at least lang van (6 March). Making it clear to division 6 450,000 passengers over the first five the Americans that we do not support a war in Degussa puts Antwerp investment years, 600,000 in a second period and Iraq is one thing, but there is no need to offend under review 6 750,000 in a third. ‘If these minimum them as well, says the paper. Vanhoutte is also Bankruptcies do away with 5,100 jobs 6 numbers are not achieved, the contract embarrassing his party. Agalev Parliamentary KBC pushes profits up by 1% 7 will be re-negotiated,’ says Catrysse. Party Leader in the Chamber, Joos Wauters, Agfa: strong profit growth 7 called the statement not very wise and feels that the government ‘has thus far defended the Culture: Arts decree must restore peace line superbly in the Iraq dossier.’ primacy of politics 7 Frank Vandecaveye | editor in chief

focus on FLANDERS • 1 March - 7 March 2003 • Number 9 2 POLITICS

ELECTIONS

debts to be further reduced. A green Parties prepare for light for optimism and entrepreneurial spirit. election campaign Last weekend his two coalition part- ners showed significantly less devotion Premier Verhofstadt (VLD) addresses an open letter to the people to the Purple-Green record. The slogan which the SP.A-Spirit cartel unveiled - politics is about people - has a striking Eleven-and-a-half weeks before 18 May tion themes. No linear tax cuts for busi- meekness about it. Clearly the Social- it looks as if the parties have begun nesses without guarantees in relation ist strategists detect a groundswell of their election campaigns. Premier Ver- to employment and rational energy use, dissatisfaction with an overly self-con- hofstadt (VLD) sent an open letter to according to Agalev Secretary Jos Gey- scious political style in their incessant the people in which he explains in as sels. The Green party itself wants to opinion polls. Something to which Lib- many as sixty proposals what he wants make the fight against poverty a priori- erals driven by voluntarism perhaps to achieve in the next period of govern- ty and in so doing is poaching on the pay too little attention. ment and in 40 points what his Purple- SP.A’s territory. Geysels also empha- The Greens are displaying their suspi- Green government has accomplished sised once again that his party does not cion even more clearly. They are even in this last term of office. The letter want a war in Iraq and above all that the rejecting godparenthood of the active will be published in all newspapers this nuclear weapons must be removed welfare state. ‘Agalev makes the differ- week and people can react to it on the from Kleine Brogel NATO base. ence’ means that the party is boasting website www.openbrief.be or at the Finally, the Christian Democratic about having been in opposition in the VLD’s debate days, to be held in every CD&V has opted for ‘people and values’ government and is planning to do so province in March. Once all the reac- (‘mensen en waarden’) as a baseline for again. In this way the Greens are trying tions are known, everything will be its campaign. These are the building to survive if the campaign suddenly de- brought together at the end of March blocks, the foundations of a stronger generates into a titanic struggle. into ‘a contract with the people’, which community, a greater feeling of solidar- Against this diffuse battle array, the will form the VLD election manifesto. ity, says Chairman Stefaan De Clerck, CD&V has produced a manifesto Economic recovery remains the main who had chosen a village café in Gooikt based on ‘people and values’. It is the concern. Alongside new tax cuts and that is used as décor for a popular TV classic third way, that does not expect less bureaucratic red tape for business- chat-show to launch his campaign. De salvation from the State or the people, es Verhofstadt is also calling for a fur- Clerck wants to tackle rising individu- but from safety in family, networks ther cut in corporation tax and personal alism and egoism, but is also in favour and society. It too is avoiding the income tax, more funds for healthcare, of a strict budgetary policy. According choice of a potential coalition partner. a more efficient legal system and a low- to the party, no single measure must en- This means the voter will be faced with ering of the voting age to sixteen. danger the reorganisation of public fi- a problem on 18 May. The parties are At a joint meeting in the Flemish Par- nances. The party is going for a surplus creating a profile for themselves based liament in Brussels the SP.A-Spirit car- of 0.9% of GDP from the end of the pe- on what distinguishes them from the tel unveiled its general election slogan: riod of office in 2007, but still wants others. But everyone knows that the ‘Politics is about people’ (‘Politiek gaat more money for healthcare and a more policy to be implemented will be based over mensen’). In an interview in Het alert reaction to unfavourable econom- on what binds them. This paradox Laatste Nieuws (1 March), figureheads ic developments than is currently the gives the whole spectacle an unreal (SP.A) and Bert Anciaux case with the Purple-Green govern- character and makes voters doubt (Spirit) explained the slogan. It can be ment. According to De Standaard, a their contribution. It will be difficult to translated as ‘bringing politics closer to few conclusions can be drawn from the keep people interested for another two the people’. In relation to the USA’s differences in emphasis of the various months. plans for war, Stevaert argues that a party campaigns. government of Liberals (VLD) and www.openbrief.be Christian Democrats (CD&V) would Opinion www.sp.a.be www.spirit.be never have adopted a single bold atti- www.cdenv.be tude without the Socialists. Both politi- www.agalev.be cians are at the top of Flemish politi- BART STURTEWAGEN • DE STANDAARD • cians’ pop poll. But popularity is not 4 MARCH something to turn your nose up at, they feel. Stevaert believes that if political One important conclusion is that only opponents find his policy populist, it is the VLD is resolutely proceeding to a compliment as long as it is good poli- make the achievements of the previous cy. Both politicians have planned a joint period of government its own. Hence election tour of Flanders, but are not the aplomb with which the party listed prepared to enter into detail. no fewer than forty achievements last The Greens of Agalev are heading for Friday. In the same breath, Premier the elections under the slogan ‘Agalev Guy Verhofstadt added sixty new ob- makes the difference’ (‘Agalev maakt jectives, but these were not dominated het verschil’). At a meeting in Ghent by continuity: more tax cuts, allowing they turned their differences of opinion more people to find work, so that the with the Liberal VLD into clear elec- economy can grow more, allowing

focus on FLANDERS • 1 March - 7 March 2003 • Number 9 POLITICS 3

ELECTIONS ELECTIONS Suspension of new New action against inequal- electoral act leads to ity in electoral legislation splitting of lists in Flemish-Brabant the chance of the whole Electoral Act being abandoned before the elec- tions on 18 May and all parties having to submit new lists is felt to be not very high by FF EDITOR

n Brabant there has been a return to al elements suggest that it is unlikely Due to the suspension of the new Elec- I the old electoral legislation, the ward there will be a second suspension. ‘In toral Act in Flemish-Brabant, all the is limited to the old electoral districts its previous ruling, the Court explicitly Flemish parties had to again split their of Leuven and Brussels-Halle Vilvo- linked the electoral threshold to the joint list for Leuven and Brussels-Halle- orde, there is no electoral threshold and provincial electoral description. That Vilvoorde into two separate lists. For electoral lists of both constituencies may be seen as an impetus to account the SP.A cartel list this meant that their are grouped to obtain remaining seats. for the inequality that has now been leading candidate, Social Affairs Minis- In the other provinces the new Elec- created.’ A further aspect is that the in- ter Frank Vandenbroucke, had to toral Act is being applied: the wards equality that has now emerged was choose between Brussels and his home have been extended to the entire caused by the Court of Arbitration it- town of Leuven. In the end he opted for province, there is an electoral threshold self. If it hurries and suspends the Elec- the capital. Spirit figurehead Bert Anci- and electoral lists are no longer grouped toral Act before the elections, there is a aux is in second spot there. The same together. A violation of the principle of real chance of it ‘limiting its judgment Vandenbroucke-Anciaux duo was also equality, claim two parties, which both to the future’. In that case the status at the head of the SP.A-Spirit cartel list run the risk to fall short of the electoral quo will prevail during the coming elec- unified list for Leuven and Brussels- threshold. The Nieuw-Vlaamse Al- tions. If the Court of Arbitration sus- Halle-Vilvoorde. liantie of Geert Bourgeois and the small pends immediately, the old regulations With Vandenbroucke’s electoral shift – anti-pay tampering party Vivant have would come back into force and on the from Leuven to Brussels – the cartel brought a new action with the Court of eve of the elections the parties will be wants to make the difference in the Arbitration against the new inequality faced with the impossible task of draw- larger BHV ward, where 22 seats are up this has created. It is difficult to assess ing up new lists. The fact that the Court for grabs. The Leuven ward only has 7 the chances of the Court of Arbitration of Arbitration counts politicians seats. People in the cartel believe the again suspending part of the Electoral amongst its ranks makes this chaotic Federal SP.A Social Affairs Minister can Act. But the chance of the whole Elec- option less likely. If the Court of Arbi- steal votes from the Francophones in toral Act being abandoned before the tration suspends (part of) the Electoral the capital. In Leuven the 28-year-old elections on 18 May and all parties hav- Act after the elections, this will not af- Alderman for Culture, Education and ing to submit new lists is felt to be not fect the results of the elections. Once Integration Policy Saïd El Khadraoui is very high by specialists (FF). the Chamber and Senate have approved the new leading candidate on the cartel the credentials, the result can no longer list. El Khadraoui is the son of a Moroc- TOM COCHEZ • DE MORGEN • be declared invalid. Any suspension can father and a Flemish mother and 4 MARCH would then only affect the future. abandoned a diplomatic career in favour of the office of alderman in Leu- According to constitutional specialist www.belgium.be ven. Second on the list will be Leuven’s Paul Van Orshoven (KU Leuven), sever- Social Affairs Alderman Karin Jonflé. Another Leuven Alderman, Carl De- vlies, will be the CD&V’s leading can- didate in Leuven. The only national fig- urehead in Leuven will therefore be the VLD’s Rik Daems, Minister for Public Enterprises in the Federal Government.

2002 RESULTS SOLVUS (EX CREYF’S) (TEMPING AGENCY) in million euro 2001 2002 Operating result 94 43 Cash flow 68 14 Group profit 44 -40 Turnover 1,458 1,522 2002 RESULTS TELINDUS GROUP (TELECOM)

in million euro 2001 2002 % Turnover 565.0 655.0 -14 Operating result -5.9 2.6 -327 Net profit -22.0 -12.0 -76 Staff 2,286 2,410 -5

focus on FLANDERS • 1 March - 7 March 2003 • Number 9 4 POLITICS

LOCAL POLICY tract with the poster agency JC Decaux, which was negotiated appallingly bad- Janssens (SP.A) and Van ly, raising questions as to the compe- tence of the negotiators, or ‘even worse’, Campenhout(VLD) organise as SP.A Chairman put it, thereby opening the door to further speculation. Janssens is operating on clean hands operation in the premise that it is better to clear everything up rather than to have to Antwerp continue living in an atmosphere of in- Janssens and Van Campenhout are unhappy about the difficult relations sinuations, in the fear that sooner or between the city administration and the Bench of Aldermen later one or two genuine scandals could appear. An argument that is defensible, but on the other hand - at least as long wo weeks ago the Gazet van Bench of Aldermen to withdraw a re- as this level of clarity has not been T Antwerpen began a series of juicy markable deal on the installation of achieved - rather contributes to the stories about outings, costly teambuild- street furniture whereby the city had problem by strengthening the sugges- ing weekends and the creative use of been duped in an unheard-of and clearly tion that the Town Hall and police sta- Visa cards among the executive staff of infantile manner. ‘This is laziness, in- tions are tinkering with things so much Antwerp’s police force. It subsequently competence or worse,’ gibed the SP.A that it is no longer funny, while no evi- emerged that this had been leaked to Chairman. dence of this has yet been produced. the press after a row among police boss- In a joint interview with De Standaard, Antwerp’s problem is not that some al- es about internal reorganisation. The Janssens and Van Campenhout stressed dermen or police officers may have accusations do not involve huge sums that everything had to be investigated spent injudiciously a few thousand eu- of money and anyway, all the expenses ‘to the bone’. Janssens: ‘A leaking tap ros, the problem is much more that were approved by the Bench of Alder- doesn’t stop by itself. Some people are there is apparently insufficient leader- men. But the city of Antwerp is short of accusing me of recklessness. Because I ship to be able to manage a city budget money and gradually the idea spread don’t know where it will end. But we of tens of millions of euros. amongst people of Antwerp that at the do. Ultimately all I want is a profes- very least moral standards had become sionally run city.’ The two accuse the blurred at Antwerp Town Hall. Last Bench of Aldermen, under the leader- week, SP.A Chairman Patrick Janssens, ship of Mayor Leona Detiège (SP.A), of Employers denounce also his party’s leader on the City Coun- not initially being prepared to start an increase in municipal cil, felt it was time to act. He felt that audit into the suspected unethical con- the city had been duped by the advertis- duct itself. taxes ing agency JC Decaux when it decided The investigation could signal the end to entrust the adaptation of the city fur- for City Secretary Fred Nolf (SP.A). He FF EDITORIAL TEAM niture to the agency. Janssens, together is suspected of having bought, among with his fellow Parliamentary Party other things, his wedding rings with po- The local tax burden on municipalities Leader from the VLD Ludo Van Camp- lice money. Janssens and Van Campen- continues to rise. This is evident from enhout, demanded that the City Coun- hout are unhappy about the difficult re- an application made by the Flemish cil organise an audit in which all accu- lations between the city administra- Economic Federation (Vlaams sations would be investigated. Mayor tion, personified by Nolf, and the Bench Economisch Verbond, VEV) and the Leona Detiège and City Secretary Fred of Aldermen. They want rid of the ad- Chambers of Commerce to the Flemish Nolf, both party colleagues of Janssens, ministration’s pig-headed mentality to local authorities last January. In 2003, are incredibly annoyed by their Party mainly invest in blocking change. around one fifth of municipalities in- Chairman’s actions. But Janssens and The imminent Federal elections appear creased their surcharges on personal in- Van Campenhout are pressing on. After not to be undermining the alliance be- come tax or on the mill rate. Since the all the ‘revelations’ they want every- tween Antwerp’s leading SP.A candi- last local elections in 2000 the sur- thing open and on the table and the last date Janssens and VLD candidate Van charges on personal income tax have al- rotten apple out of the basket, to stem Campenhout as far as the city is con- ready risen by an average of 7.9%, and the flow of rumours. The fact that cerned. Janssens: ‘At this moment the those on the mill rate by as much as heads could roll in his own party is of elections will not be fought on 20%. The VEV and the Chambers are secondary importance, Janssens states Antwerp-related themes.’ Van Camp- no longer prepared to allow municipali- in an interview in De Standaard (1 enhout agrees: ‘If we carry on working ties to solve their budgetary problems March). Sound administration takes quietly in Antwerp’s City Council, by raising taxes. Nor do they find it ac- precedence over political persuasion, then we’ll all win. It’s known as the ceptable that the Federal and Flemish says Janssens, a view endorsed by his prisoner’s dilemma.’ Governments are continually assigning VLD colleague Van Campenhout. Both new tasks, forcing them to put up taxes. are after a clean-hands operation in the Opinion Scheldt city (FF). www.vev.be

BART BRINCKMAN - DE STANDAARD - YVES DESMET - DE MORGEN - 1 MARCH 1 MARCH The only dossier that may still be any- On Tuesday Patrick Janssens forced the thing more than tiny is that of the con-

focus on FLANDERS • 1 March - 7 March 2003 • Number 9 ECONOMY 5

LABOUR POLICY COMPANIES

Sauwens calls for regionali- Saverys Family splits sation of employment policy up CMB and Exmar regional accounts make it all too clear that in Belgium, regional flows he Belgian shipping group CMB of government money primarily benefit Wallonia T has sold its last 20% in the Antwerp transshipment company Hesse Noord Natie to the Singapore or the first time the National Ac- Opinion group PSA for the sum of 121 million F counts Institute (Instituut voor Na- euros. Last year CMB sold 40% in tionale Rekeningen) is unveiling re- ERIC DONCKIER • HET BELANG VAN HNN, for which it received 232 million gional accounts. And this makes it all LIMBURG • 5 MARCH euros. PSA bought the remaining 40% too clear that in Belgium, regional from the transshipment company No- flows of government money primarily Flanders is better off with a rich neigh- ord Natie. As a result, Antwerp’s largest benefit Wallonia. Redistribution via so- bour than a poor one, if only because goods handler is now 100%-owned by cial security and direct taxes ensure Wallonia is actually our first trading PSA. CMB also announced that it plans that Flanders keeps 60.8% of the 62.4% partner. But solidarity with Wallonia to split off its gas tanker company Ex- of primary income. 1.6%, or 2.3 billion has to have a purpose. To make sure mar and float it on the stock market. euros, goes to Wallonia. But also within that Wallonia can change the economic The split is a step in the commercial di- Flanders there is talk of a small transfer situation, that there too economic ac- vision between the children of Philippe to, e.g., West Flanders. CD&V MP Jo- tivities pick up and over time reach a Saverys, who died in 2002, and could in- han Sauwens, in a previous life a VU level that is comparable to Flanders. volve a share swap. After the announce- Minister, compared the INR figures Unfortunately, after years of transfers ments the price of the CMB share rose from the period 1995-2001 and came to from Flanders to Wallonia the situation by 9.3% (FF). the conclusion that during that period does not appear to be improving. On the the economy in Flanders grew by 16.1% contrary. The final result is that via tax- MARC DE ROO • DE FINANCIEEL- compared to 11.8% for Wallonia. With- es on employment the Flemish econo- ECONOMISCHE TIJD • 5 MARCH out healthcare costs, Wallonia’s social my is being prevented from being able security deficit amounts to 1.17 billion to carry on paying for solidarity with With the stock market flotation and the euros, whereas on the Flemish side Wallonia. The trend is towards more planned share swap the former CMB there is a surplus of 4.52 billion euros. taxes to provide benefits for more and will be clearly divided between the Sav- Therefore, the ‘catching up operation’ more people. But through this there is a erys children. Preparations were made to which Wallonia’s Minister-President risk that the Flemish economy will no for the operation last year. Following Jean-Claude Van Cauwenberghe refers longer be able to face up to foreign com- the death of father Philippe Saverys in does not exist, he concludes. The exist- petition. And without Flemish compa- February last year the family holding of ing financial transfers will not cure the nies there will be no more taxes and the Saverys family, Almabo, went into unstable Walloon economy and job therefore no more benefits. This trend liquidation at the end of November market, says Sauwens. He is therefore must be stopped as quickly as possible. 2002. At that time Almabo held 46.1% calling for a separate employment poli- And a first step in this direction is, as Jo- of CMB. The 3.64 million shares of the cy and wage negotiations in the North han Sauwens suggests, the regionalisa- Almabo holding were divided amongst and South. Wages must be lower in tion of wage and employment policy. the private companies of the families of Wallonia, he feels (FF). www.cdenv.be Marc Saverys (Saverco), Nicolas Sav- erys (Saverex) and Virginie Saverys (Vic- REDISTRIBUTION VIA SOCIAL SECURITY AND DIRECT TAXES trix). This increased their direct inter- est in CMB to 21.5%, 20.15% and 8.67% respectively. The Saverys family also dissolved the consultative model 10.8 11.0 ANTWERP with the shareholders group based EAST-FLANDERS LIMBURG WEST-FLANDERS 16.9 16.5 around the Van Damme family. 14.4 14.0 7.4 7.3 Through its companies, this owned FLEMISH-BRABANT more than 4% of CMB. It is goes with- 12.8 12.0 out saying that if the splitting off of Ex- * BRUSSELS WALLOON-BRABANT mar is approved, Saverex will become 9.5 9.5 LIEGE HAINAUT 4.1 3.9 8.3 8.8 the controlling owner of Exmar and 9.8 11.0 Saverco will gain the slimmed-down

NAMUR and more economically sensitive CMB, 3.8 3.9 possibly together with Victrix.

www.cmb.be

LUXEMBURG 1.9 2.0

YEAR 2000

BEFORE AFTER

focus on FLANDERS • 1 March - 7 March 2003 • Number 9 6 ECONOMY

COMPANIES Degussa puts invest- Bayer Antwerp closes ment in Antwerp Isocyanates Division: under review he strategy of that other German T chemicals giant Degussa could 271 jobs at risk well have negative consequences for its Antwerp site too. Chairman Utz-Hell- arely a day after the bad news about JOSSE ABRAHAMS • DE MORGEN • muth Felcht announced that it had Bthe rising number of bankruptcies 5 MARCH completed most of its restructuring and closures among medium-sized phase. 11% of jobs were scrapped, and a companies, a new closure was an- The trade unions have thwarted the further 1,000 jobs will have to go by nounced in the Port of Antwerp. Bayer management’s plan to outsource activi- 2004. But investment budgets were and Shell announced their intention to ties. The unions’ strategy is aimed at a also scrapped: 400 million euros in close their joint-venture Bayer Shell redistribution of labour. Herman Baele 2002 and also in 2003 would cut an ini- Isocyanates (BSI). This will put 271 of the Socialist trade union refers to the tial investment budget by 14%. The jobs at risk. Isocyanates are foam plas- solution that was conceived several Chairman is putting question marks tics that are used as a basis for the pro- years ago for the ABS production at next to an investment of 300 million duction of polyurethane, used in plas- Monsanto in the Port of Antwerp. euros for the expansion of the Antwerp tics for insulation, seat fillings, etc. The There the trade unions and manage- site (FF). bad news is not entirely a surprise. ment agreed to introduce a five-shift When Bayer announced a restructuring system in which everyone worked 33.6 GUY VANDEN BROECK • DE FINAN- in October 2002 that would cost 430 hours a week. Of the 340 people who CIEEL-ECONOMISCHE TIJD • 5 MARCH jobs, reference was made to the possible worked there, 160 took early retire- closure of BSI. Now this has become ment. The others were able to continue Last year the Antwerp site received a fact: the joint-venture will end by June working, but at a slower pace. Baele be- considerable investment, namely for 2003. BSI’s production has ceased to be lieves in a similar solution for the BSI the expansion of the plant for methion- profitable. Not only is there overcapac- plant. ‘The Renault Act forces manage- ine, an amino acid mainly used in ity on the world market, the Antwerp ment to remain open to such solutions,’ chicken feed. This is a project worth production site was small and was says Baele. For the time being the man- 250 million euros with a capacity of therefore one of the first to be consid- agement is remaining open to all possi- 150,000 tonnes. ered for closure. Bayer has already bilities and is not precluding the ABS The project has been on ice for a year. closed an isocyanate production plant solution out of hand. ‘The purpose of Now Felcht is also dubious about the in Mexico, and other sites in Spain and consultation under the Renault Act is site. There is a real chance that the pro- Germany are now being examined by to allow us to look for possible alterna- ject in Singapore will be pushed through, the group. The closure is part of the tives together,’ says Bayer spokesper- despite being designed for Antwerp. Bayer Master Plan 2004, in which the son Lisette Mertens. ‘The final allocation depends on the so- group is scrapping 15,000 jobs world- cial climate in the chemicals plant of wide. The trade unions at the Bayer’s www.bayer.be Degussa Antwerp,’ said Chairman Antwerp site are, however, hoping to be Felcht in an interview. Degussa mainly able to save some of the jobs (FF). wants to expand in China and Brazil. www.degussa.de

Bankruptcies do away with more fully unemployed entitled to benefits than 5,000 jobs in January and February rose by 11.6% to 147,559. In February, the degree of unemployment (% of FF EDITOR ders textiles firm Sofinal-Cotesa (273), working population) rose from 6.7 to the maintenance firm Weisspunkt 7.3%. The number of young people In January and February 2003, bank- (169), the Limburg-based builders Claes looking for work rose by 14.6% to ruptcies of Belgian companies caused (161) and the medical gloves manufac- 48,439. There was one tiny ray of hope: the loss of some 5,100 jobs (De Finan- turer Maxim Medical Belgium (159). compared with January, the number of cieel-Economische Tijd, 4 March). Ac- Unemployment in Flanders also contin- unemployed fell in February by 2.3% cording to the commercial information ues to rise. Over one year, the number of (4,607 fewer). bureau Graydon, many more medium- sized businesses were declared bank- EVOLUTION OF FLEMISH UNEMPLOYMENT rupt in this period than in previous 230000 FEB 1999: 198,112 years. Eight companies with more than 220000 FEB 2000: 173,666 FEB 2001: 159,044 1999 100 employees and 20 with more than 210000 FEB 2002: 177,876 200000 FEB 2003: 194,163 2003 50, to be precise. The worst-affected sec- 190000 2002 tors are the wholesale trade (15.4%), the 180000 2000 170000 hotel and catering industry (14.4%) and 2001 the building trade (14.1%). The main 160000 150000 bankruptcies were those of the printing 140000 jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec firm Brepols (455 jobs), the West Flan-

focus on FLANDERS • 1 March - 7 March 2003 • Number 9 ECONOMY AND CULTURE 7

COMPANIES velopment of the second market in cen- tral Europe. In the former Yugoslavia KBC pushes profits up by 1% success in this area is varied. The take- over of the Croat Kvarner Banka threat- ens to be blocked by territorial disputes FF EDITOR ance division. The operational result between Slovenia and Croatia (De Fi- Last year KBC Bank en Verzekeringen also rose by 25%. The merger between nancieel-Economische Tijd, 6 March). (Bank and Insurances) managed to keep Cera and KB to form KBC is almost After all, KBC is viewed as Slovenian by profits stable. The group was, however, complete. Of the 1,490 offices, 980 re- the Croat authorities because it has a forced to accept a reduction in the value main. By 2005 a further 180 will close. 34% interest in the Slovenian bank of the share portfolio of 501 million eu- KBC bank has two objectives for the fu- NLB. Central Europe’s contribution to ros as a consequence of the stock mar- ture: consolidate its market position in KBC’s profits has also taken a knock ket crash, but compensated for this Belgium in insurance. Not only by with the loss of the Polish subsidiary with ‘one-off proceeds’, consisting of cranking up sales, but also through pos- Kredyt Bank (97 million euros). There increases in value on a bond portfolio in sible take-overs. At present several are also opportunities for acquisitions the banking division and shares in the Swiss insurance groups (Swiss Life and n the region. KBC keeps its eye on the insurance division and by dipping into a Zürich Belgium) want to pull out of Bel- Hungarian Postabank and the Polish in- reserve fund in this same division. The gium and have put their branches up for surer Warta. net profit therefore comes to 1.034 bil- sale. Another priority is the further de- www.kbc.be lion euros, 1% higher than the previous year. Chairman of the Management 2002 RESULTS KBC (IN MILLION EURO) Board Remi Vermeiren calls it a ‘decent Operating result 2,381 30.0% result in difficult times’ and empha- Profit banking division 708 1.4% sised that the solvency of the KBC Profit insurances division 348 -3.3% group is still very healthy, twice the Net group profit 1,034 1.0% statutory minimum in the banking di- Net profit/share 3.42 euro 1.0% vision, three times that in the insur- SOURCE: DS-INFOGRAFIEK

Agfa records a growth ciency. The figures also show that Agfa division, which also includes medical in profits is increasingly moving away from being solutions, was the largest division for a supplier of products to being a suppli- the first time in 2002. The consumer di- In 2002 the Antwerp image-processing er of digital services and solutions, vision (the photo market) fell 12.5%. group Agfa-Gevaert recorded a net prof- claims De Financieel-Economische www.agfa.com it of 194 million euros, compared with Tijd (7 March). The technical imaging a loss of 288 million euros in 2001. Thanks to the weak economy and the AGFA: OMZET PER AFDELING (IN MILJOEN EURO) drop in the dollar, turnover fell by 4.6% Turnover of divisions (in million euro) 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 to 4.7 billion euros. The growth in prof- Graphic systems 2,009 1,945 2,065 1,890 1,813 its is mainly due to the success of the Technical imaging 982 1,352 1,708 1,823 1,822 Horizon restructuring plan, which Consumer imaging 1,371 1,434 1,487 1,198 1,048 scrapped 4,000 jobs and boosted effi-

CULTURAL POLICY enough to the actors. With an Arts De- Arts decree must restore cree Van Grembergen is now giving structure to the balance. The problem primacy of politics is that now everything is coming from a single pot, this will only be a source of a working document on which the whole sector can have its say jealousy. Van Grembergen is still leav- ing the assessment of subsidy applica- lemish Culture Minister Paul Van marily an instrument with which the tions to assessment committees peo- FGrembergen wants to create order in Minister can again put his stamp on pled with ‘connoisseurs’. Above this, the chaos of decrees and regulations policy, claims Knack (FF). however, he is installing an advisory with which the Flemish Government committee, that will co-ordinate every- subsidises artistic life. There must be a MARC REYNEBAU • KNACK • 5 MAART thing and put things into perspective. single decree, the Minister feels, with a Its main role will be as a buffer between uniform, fair and transparent regula- Despite the efforts of Van Grember- him and the sphere of action. Which is tion for all artistic disciplines. But be- gen’s predecessor, Bert Anciaux (Spirit), good for him, because he is leaving no cause the cultural sector is based on the Flemish cultural budget remains a doubt as to the fact that he will have the participation, Van Grembergen has mere trifle. This paucity is making final say over all dossiers. Previously first bashed out a working document on artists afraid that others are getting too this lay with the experts and ministers which the whole sector can have its say. much and they not enough. This is how who went against their advice were The aim is that the final version of the visual artists see performance arts, but quickly accused of interference and Arts Decree will take account of these in the theatre they feel that too much favouritism. comments. But the Arts Decree is pri- money goes to the companies and not For Van Grembergen, it is not only

focus on FLANDERS • 1 March - 7 March 2003 • Number 9 8 CULTURE

‘quality’ or ‘allure’ that determine what tees will still only be made up of ‘con- make any more art for everyone, but merits subsidy, but also ‘orientation to- noisseurs’. Jan Lauwers of the interna- only for you.’ wards the public’. He is refusing to say tionally active theatre company Need- what that implies, and this also goes for company sees the storm coming. ‘We the question of whether the commit- have decided,’ he told his public ‘not to

• 19 March: Die Deutsche Kammerphilhar- info: wwwmuseumdrguislain.be monie Bremen conducted by Daniel Hard- 09/216.35.95 Diary ing with compositions by I. Stravinsky, WA • Until 31 August: The big Sexperiment, Mozart and L. van Beethoven, PSK, scientific exhibition, Technopolis, MUSIC, DANCE THEATRE Brussels; info: www.sofil.be Mechelen; info: 015/34.20.00 • 20 March: Gundecha Brothers (India), • Until 29 June: Music Planet; one century • 14 March: Michael Rose and Sly & Rob- PSK, Brussels; info www.sofil.be of pop music in an exhibition, Brewery bie, Ancienne Belgique, Brussels; • 18 to 22 March: Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui & Belle Vue, Molenbeek; info: 02/548.24.24 www.abconcerts.be Les Ballets C de la B / Capilla Flamenca, info: www.euroculture.be 02/513/29/84 • 15 March: 3 doors down, Ancienne De Vooruit, Ghent ; info: 09/267.24.24 • Until 6 April: Maria Magdalena, sinner Belgique, Brussels; info: 02/548.24.24 www.vooruit.be from the Middle Ages until today, exhibi- www.abconcerts.be • 20 March: Enon (USA), De Vooruit, tion, Museum of Fine Arts, Ghent; • 16 March: Soulfly, Ancienne Belgique, Ghent ; info: 09/267.24.24 www.vooruit.be info: 09/222.17.03 Brussels; info: 02/548.24.24 • 13 March: Jadwiga Rappé and Mariusz • Until 30 March: Synesthetics - Pop & Art www.abconcerts.be Rutkowski with Lieder by Chopin, in Belgium, pop music and visual arts, De • 13 March: Bryan Adams, Sportpaleis, Lutoslawski, Szymanowski, Schubert and Garage, Mechelen; info: 015/29.40.00 Antwerp ; info: 0900/26060 Brams Flanders Opera, Antwerp; www.cultuurcentrummechelen.be • 14 March: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sport- info: 03/248.28.28 www.desingel.be • Until 13 April: Jacques Charlier and Leo paleis, Antwerp ; info: 0900/26060 • 14 and 15 March: Die Zehn Gebote – Copers, exhibitions, SMAK, Ghent; • 15 March: Jackson Browne, Elisabethzaal, Christoph Martahler und Volksbühne am info: 09/221.17.03 www.smak.be Antwerp: info: 0900/26060 Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz, De Singel, • Until 20 April: ‘Abroad’, exhibition with • 17 and 18 March: Van Morrison, Elisa- Antwerp ; info: 03/248.28.28 www.desin- work by Raveel, Richter, Pistoletto and bethzaal, Antwerp: info: 0900/26060 gel.be Tapies, Roger Raveelmuseum, Machelen • 13 and 14 March: The night of the bad • 18 March: Spectra Ensemble conducted by aan de Leie (near Deinze), taste (a journey through the worst cinema Filip Ratté with compositions by Goethals, www.rogerraveelmuseum.be on earth) Ghent and Antwerp; Logghe, Huber and Birkenkötter De Singel, • Until 30 March: ‘Minnelijk Akkoord’, the info: 02/474.26.00 Antwerp ; info: 03/248.28.28 www.desin- rise of the bourgoisie and the literary life • 13 March: Apartment House Ensemble, gel.be from the 14th to the 17th Century in Brus- De Bijloke, Ghent; info: www.bijloke.be • 20 March: Rotterdam Philharmonic Or- sels, exhibition, City Hall, Brussels • 16 March: Flanders Symphonic Orchestra chestra conducted by Paavo Berglund with • Until 20 April: Narcolepsy, retrospective conducted by David Angus, Britten, Schu- work by Shostakowitch, Sibelius and Schu- exhibition with work by Dave Mc Kean, mann, Rachmaninov, De Bijloke, Ghent; mann; De Singel, Antwerp; Auditorium Tweebronnen, Leuven; info: www.bijloke.be info: 03/248.28.28 www.desingel.be info: www.beeldbeeld.org • 13 March: Counter Phrases, Coproduction • 12, 13, 20 March: Father murder, the se- • Until 23 March: Silent Painters, exhibi- Ictus - Rosas - Avila - The Kasander Film quel, Stuk, Leuven; info: 016/320.320 tion, Caermersklooster, Ghent; Company, PSK, Brussels; info: www.sofil.be www.stuk.be info: 09/269.29.10 www.caermersklooster.be www.pskpba.be • 13 to 15 March: Dis-figure Study, Meg • Until 30 March: Modern and Contempo- • 13 March: Danyel Waro (Réunion), Stuart and Damaged Goods, dance, Kaaithe- rary Painters from the collection of the mu- Zuiderpershuis, Antwerp; ater, Brussels; info: 02/201.59.59 seum, KMSK, Brussels; • 14 March: Daa-Zaa-To (Guinée), Zuider- www.kaaitheater.be info: www.kmskb.be pershuis, Antwerp; info: www.zuiderpers- • 14 and 15 March, Martial Solal Trio, • Until 6 April: Lacaton & Vassal, Archti- huis.be Studio Flagey, Brussels; info: 02/641.10.11 tects, Bordeaux – Paris, exhibition, De Sin- • 15 March: Turqumstances (Turkey/Hol- www.flagey.be gel, Antwerp; info: 03/248.28.28 land), Zuiderpershuis, Antwerp; • 13 March: Brodsky Quartet (UK), www.desingel.be info: www.zuiderpershuis.be Handelsbeurs, Ghent; info: www.handels- • Until 30 March: Drawings by children • 14 and 15 March: National Orchestra of beurs.be with a name (Wim Delvoye, Roger Raveel, Belgium, conducted by Yuri Simonov with • 14 March: Maria Amelia Proença (Port), Luc Tuymans and others in their child- Mussorgsky, Rakhmaninov and Tchaikov- Handelsbeurs, Ghent; info: www.handels- hood), Academy of Fine Arts, Sint-Niklaas, sky, PSK, Brussels; info: www.sofil.be beurs.be 03/776.33.00 • 17 March: Renaud Capuçon, Gautier • Until 4 May: Louis Van Lint, retrospective Capuçon and Frank Braley with Maurice EXPO exhibition, Museum of Elsene, Ravel, Sonate nr 2, PSK, Brussels; info: 02/374.94.74 info: www.sofil.be • Until 23 March: Vanitas, group exhibi- • 18 March: François Espinasse (organ) with • Until 30 March: Twins, (the fascination by tion, contemporary Art, De Markten, compositions by Luciano Berio, Gilbert scientists, artists and the public) exhibition, Brussels; info: 02/512.34.25 Amy, Pierre Farago and Benoît Mernier, Museum Dr. Guislain, Ghent; • From 1 March onwards: The Groeninghe- Sint-Michielskathedraal, Brussels; museum in Bruges reopened after facelift; la fland info: www.sofil.be ur re info: 050/44.87.12 s • s f u o c c o u f s

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• Advisory panel: Luc Demeester (Lannoo), Rik Van s • Printing: Drukkerij Lannoo nv, Tielt u

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k Cauwelaert (director Knack), Koen Clement (Man- u • Responsible editor: aging director, De Morgen), Frans Crols (Director, Luc Demeester, Marke Trends), Francis Decoster (Information Officer, • Subscription rate by post and e-mail: 220 euro Flemish Community), Mark Deweerdt (Journalist, Focus on Flanders provides a weekly • Either transfer the sum to account no.: Financieel-Economische Tijd), Michael Stabenow 472-1010001-19 with the KBC in Roeselare overview of articles from the Flemish press (Correspondent, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung), Or give us the number and expiry date of your cred- Luc Standaert (Journalist, Belang van Limburg), Jan and appears in English, French and German. it card (Visa/Eurocard): Van Doren (Deputy Director, Vlaams Economisch This newsletter is published Telephone: 051/42.42.99 Verbond), Bernard Bulcke (De Standaard) Fax: 051/40.11.52 • With thanks to: Concentra nv, De Vlijt nv, de by Uitgeverij Lannoo nv, E-mail: [email protected] Vlaamse Uitgeversmaatschappij nv, De Persgroep Kasteelstraat 97, 8700 Tielt nv, Uitgeversbedrijf Tijd nv and Roularta Media and can also be obtained Group nv and their editorial teams for supplying the articles. by e-mail.

focus on FLANDERS • 1 March - 7 March 2003 • Number 9