Dreding - Deme
Antwerp-based dredging com- pany Deme has won a contract worth €261 million to build two offshore wind farms located 32 kilometres off the north coast of the Netherlands. The deal comes a week after the company finalised contracts worth €250 million in Russia and Angola.

Economy - Confidence
Consumer confidence rose in August to its highest level in almost three years as econom- ic indicators improved again. Meanwhile, the National Bank indicator on future business prospects was also higher last month.

Gas transport - Fluxys
The national gas transport operator Fluxys is to acquire a 19% stake in the German Wingas share of the North European Gas Pipeline, which will bring Russian gas to Europe. The company is also considering the acquisition of a 25% share in a gas terminal to be built in Dun- kirk, France. The project is likely to compete with anticipated developments at the Liqui␣ed Natural Gas (LNG) terminal in Zeebrugge, barely 75 kilometres from Dunkirk.

Pharmeuticals - Thrombogenics
Leuven-based biotechnology company Thrombogenics is poised to bring its first medicine to the market to cure ocular deficiencies after completing the required testing procedures. The company will introduce its approval requests to the US Federal Drug Administration and to the European Emea authority shortly.

Public finances - Banks
Belgian banks have paid the treasury some €700 million in taxes and guaranties as compensation for the state bailout during the financial crisis of 2008-2009. This welcome boost to the public finances includes dividends paid by BNP Paribas on the stake held by the state in the French-owned bank.