This Tuesday, a meeting of the steering committee of the inter-federal MAKE2025-2030 plan was held, dedicated to industrial competitiveness and the future of employment in Belgium. The meeting was co-chaired by the Prime Minister and Minister of the Economy David Clarinval, in the presence of ministers Vincent Van Peteghem, Mathieu Bihet, Matthias Diependaele, Pierre-Yves Jeholet and Rudi Vervoort.
Representatives of the main federations and the industrial sector also took part in the discussions, including Pieter Timmermans (FEB), Frank Beckx (VOKA), Frédéric Panier (AKT), Thierry Geerts (BECI), as well as Frank Veranneman (Sioen Industries / Fedustria), Jan Ingels (Tiense Suikerraffinaderij / Fevia), Jan Remeysen (BASF Antwerpen / Essenscia) and Alain Quevrin (Thales Belgium / Agoria).
Jointly launched by the various levels of government, and co-led by the Prime Minister and the Minister of the Economy, MAKE2025-2030 is a strategic inter-federal plan aimed at durably strengthening the competitiveness of Belgian industry. Faced with geopolitical tensions, competitive distortions and supply disruptions, supporting our industry has become a strategic priority. MAKE2025-2030 aims to deliver concrete responses, built on realities on the ground and in close dialogue with economic sectors.
Validation of the first action plans
The meeting provided an opportunity to review progress made since July 2025 within the four working groups and to validate the first action plans.
The working group on “Defending economic interests”, chaired by federal Minister of the Economy David Clarinval, has produced a plan structured around 20 measures, including:
- The creation of an inter-federal centre of expertise on State aid
- The establishment of a permanent consultation structure with sectors
- The development of a national strategy for critical raw materials.
David Clarinval, Minister of the Economy: “Industrial competitiveness is no longer just an economic issue: it is now a matter of sovereignty, security and long-term prosperity. We must, more than ever, strengthen our competitiveness and defend our economic and strategic interests. With MAKE2025-2030, we are complementing major structural reforms already undertaken at federal level: reducing labour costs, reforming the labour market, improving the investment framework. The creation of an inter-federal centre of expertise on State aid will provide clarity on European rules and maximise access to funding. Permanent consultation with the sectors will ensure public policies stay attuned to realities on the ground, while a strategy on critical raw materials will secure supplies essential to our industry.”
Mathieu Bihet, Minister of Energy: “The MAKE 2025-2030 plan shows that Belgium is capable of working in a coordinated, pragmatic and ambitious way. The results reflect thorough work with the Regions and the sectors, leading to concrete actions. This is an essential step in strengthening our industrial base and our position in Europe.”
The implementation of the energy standard aims to give businesses greater visibility on their energy costs, an essential condition for supporting investment and preserving jobs.
In terms of administrative simplification, more than 20 measures aimed at easing the burden on industry were validated, at the initiative of Minister Van Peteghem.
Continuation of the work
The committee decided to set up new working groups, which will meet over the next six months on the following topics:
- Permits: simplifying and speeding up authorisation procedures for industrial projects
- Internal market: identifying and removing the 10 “terrible ten”
- Energy: strategic electricity production capacity
- Strategic perspectives of the EU Presidency
- State aid
Through MAKE2025-2030, the federal and regional authorities confirm their shared commitment to act in a coordinated way to provide Belgian industry with a more competitive, more predictable and resolutely future-oriented framework.