Jan Van Doren: ‘Brussels knowledge engine is sputtering’
The Brussels region is still the largest knowledge economy in the country, but the knowledge engine is simmering. This is apparent from a study that the Brussels Studies Institute has drawn up at the request of the employers’ organization Voka Metropolitan. Director Jan Van Doren (Voka) explains.
The Brussels knowledge engine is stalling. What is going on?
Brussels still retains its position as an important Belgian knowledge cluster. Of the 751,000 jobs in Brussels, 340,000 are for knowledge workers, or 45 percent. In Flanders and Wallonia it is only 31 percent. But the growth falters. Over the past twelve years, the number of knowledge jobs in Brussels has increased on average by only half a percent, compared to the new one and a half percent in Flemish and Walloon Brabant. That’s three times as much. For example, a number of IT, accountancy and management consultancy companies left Brussels for Zaventem, Machelen and Diegem. The Big Four – KPMG, Deloitte, EY and PwC – are all located in the Noordrand.
Why are these knowledge jobs so important?
Each job in the knowledge economy shows more than two jobs, the study shows. With one hundred knowledge jobs you create more than two hundred extra jobs, half of which are jobs for the low-skilled, catering, reception, cleaning, transport, security. When looking for a solution for the low-skilled unemployed, the Brussels political economy all too often overlooks the knowledge economy. The focus is mainly on small manufacturing workshops, microbreweries and bicycle workshops, for example. Interesting, sympathetic, but they do not provide the great bulk of employment.
How can Brussels become more attractive for knowledge-intensive companies?
Brussels must be more accessible. That becomes important in the war for talent. Now many irregular interventions are taking place, transforming the A into a city boulevard, the circulation plans. People think: companies will pay attention to passengers. Yes, they do, they swerve. International accessibility is also crucial. Brussels Airport must be given every opportunity for growth.
The digital connection could also be improved. Instead of putting a brake on the roll-out of 5G, the Region should be a forerunner. Finally, supporting the sustainable energy transition, keeping local taxes in check, creating space for companies and ensuring a safe living environment. The overall picture must be correct.