European innovation in focus: Vice-President Ansip visits world-leading research hub in Leuven

Today European Commission Vice-President Ansip, in charge of the Digital Single Market, and Belgian Deputy Prime Minister De Croo, responsible for the Digital Agenda, will visit imec – a world-leading research and innovation hub in nanoelectronicsanddigital technologies based in Leuven, Belgium. On this occasion, results of EU investments in research and innovation will be presented, such as microchips used for better diagnosis and health monitoring. Imec has been participating in EU projects since its creation in 1984. Imec is involved in ECSEL, a European initiative representing EUR 1.2 billion of EU investment for the period 2014-2020, to be leveraged by an equal amount from participating states and twice as much from industry (a total of EUR 4.8 billion). EU’s research and innovation projects and electronics strategyhave contributed to imec’s success, based on cross-border cooperation, scientific excellence and collaboration with the industry and SMEs. A wide range of applications has benefitted from imec’s solutions, including in computing, health, energy, security, communications, and transport. Vice-President Ansip said: “I would like to see more centres like imec across Europe. Imec not only provides innovative solutions to improve people’s lives, it also creates jobs. For that to happen, we need to continue investing in research and innovation, and invest even more. We also need to make progress towards a Digital Single Market – and I am pleased to have Belgium’s strong support.” Follow Vice-President Ansip‘s visit via @Ansip_EU. Further information and full programme are available here.Photo and video footage will be available on EbS.