The Minister for Economy takes part this Tuesday, 15 September, in the relaunch meeting of the Pharmaceutical Sector Observatory, in the presence of sector representatives, academic experts and the relevant administrations.
With nearly 45,000 direct jobs, €75 billion in exports, accounting for almost 15% of Belgian exports, and €6 billion invested in R&D, the pharmaceutical sector is a pillar of the Belgian economy. It also directly contributes to the development of innovative medicines for the benefit of patients.
Belgium has a leading pharmaceutical ecosystem. However, this position is not guaranteed. International competition is intensifying and the balance of power is shifting rapidly. To maintain its standing, Belgium must be able to objectively measure its performance and quickly identify any weaknesses in its model.
In this context, the Minister for Economy wants a precise picture of the sector's situation and its evolution. The Observatory's work will examine the sector's main competitiveness indicators. It should lead to concrete recommendations to inform public authorities' decisions.
“Belgium is today a world reference in the pharmaceutical sector. We must do everything to maintain and strengthen this position. All participants at this morning's meeting stressed the urgency of acting. This means facing the facts: where are we performing well, where are we losing ground and what levers can we use? I want decisions in favour of our pharmaceutical industry to be based on objective data and thorough analysis. The Observatory's work must help us make decisions that allow Belgium to stay at the forefront.”, the Minister for Economy stressed.
The relaunch of the Observatory is part of a broader approach aimed at sustainably strengthening the competitiveness of the Belgian pharmaceutical sector and reinforcing its contribution to the economy and innovation.