The week in brief: 3 October

Flemish economy minister Philippe Muyters has been named as the “most enterprise-minded politician in Flanders” by NSZ, a union that represents the self-employed. Muyters won the award for his reforms to the government’s system of hiring target groups, such as young  people, older workers and those with a handicap.

The headstone belonging to sergeant-major Andrew Gale, a British casualty of the First World War, was changed last week from the notation used for unknown soldiers to his full name and rank, in the presence of his great-grandson. Gale was identified thanks to the detective work of an employee of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission working in her off-duty time.

German rail authority Deutsche Bahn (DB) is considering cutting off all rail connections with Belgium because of the Passenger Name Records (PNR) system the Belgian government is preparing to introduce in the coming months. PNR means that passenger names have to be recorded by the government, making it impossible for tickets to be sold up to the last minute of departure, DB said. An EU directive has brought in PNR for air traffic, but Belgium is extending it to train travel.

Belgium climbed two places in this year’s competitiveness ranking of the World Economic Forum, from 19th to 17th, while gaining praise for its education system and strong technological development. On the minus side, Belgium lost points for tax policy, administrative red tape and obstructive labour laws. Switzerland is in first place, followed by Singapore and the US.

Eddy Bruyninckx, CEO of the Antwerp Port Authority, was a featured guest speaker at the Oesterpartij, a meeting of key stakeholders in the Scheldt estuary region that takes place every year in the Netherlands' Zeeland province. The ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp, the largest and second-largest in Europe, should work together more closely to create a common policy for the hinterland, he said. The ports of northwest Europe handle 60% of Europe’s maritime traffic, he said, and, although they are competitors, they have common interests.

The Flemish government’s mobility and public works department has issued a critical advice on the planned new national football stadium at Heizel in Brussels. Although the stadium will be owned and managed by the city of Brussels, it is to be located on the territory of Grimbergen, which is in Flemish Brabant. The advice says the mobility effects will extend far beyond those described in the environmental report. Contractors Ghelamco hope to begin work in 2017 for completion in time for the European Championships in 2020.

EU Commissioner Marianne Thyssen has warned the Flemish government that the Commission will include spending on the Oosterweel motorway link in Antwerp as part of the 2017 budget when judging whether the budget is in line with EU rules. Last week the Bourgeois government presented a budget it said was balanced, but which excluded Oosterweel spending, as well as a portion of investment in hospitals. Opposition party Groen said the news from the EU meant the government’s claim of a balanced budget was “a fairy-tale”.

Police in the Westkust zone have been testing a new super-scanner that uses camera imagery, sound recording and laser beams to monitor whole sections of the coastline in order to pick up traces of anyone or anything crossing the beach, entering the water or burying something under the sand. The privacy commission has expressed misgivings. “It can’t be permitted to scan every tourist, listen in on conversations and record people 24 hours a day,” the chair of the commission said.

The government of Flanders is sending a team from its Audit Vlaanderen agency to go through the records of the city of Hasselt, following the resignation of mayor Hilde Claes last month amid allegations of misconduct. Among other complaints, Claes is accused of awarding a contract to the partner of her chief of staff without a public call for tenders. The auditors will have automatic access to all the city’s buildings and documents.

Bianca Debaets, Brussels minister for road safety, has begun an investigation into moving advertising panels, after the Belgian Institute for Road Safety (BIVV) argued they are illegal. The panels, operated by Clear Channel, show three advertisements in rotation and can be distracting to drivers, BIVV said. Belgian law forbids any red or green background to be placed within 75 metres of a traffic light unless situated more than seven metres high.

Expats living in Ghent are invited to the International Friends event on the evening of 6 October at the Bijloke Music Centre. Sponsored by the business support network De Community Gent, the event features information stands on getting settled in the city, language classes, job and study opportunities, starting your own business and volunteering. Attendance is free, but registration is required.