Brussels, 27/07/2001 (Agence Europe) - On Friday, the European Commission adopted a support programme for the Brussels-Capital region. Stemming from "Objective 2" of the structural funds, this programme will allow the region to enjoy a Community participation of EUR 43.930 million for the 2000-2006 period. In total the intervention of the Community credits will lead to the mobilisation of more than EUR 106 million, of which EUR 57.496 million from the Belgian State authorities and EUR 4.465 million for the private sector. This new programme should permit the creation of 350 jobs and 45 companies. It will also contribute towards the economic revitalisation of the districts and the establishment of a framework for sustainable urban development. The programme is centred on two priorities: - economic revitalisation (EUR 30 million in Community funds) based on the development of new information and communication technologies; sustainable urban development (redevelopment of industrial cankers, changing the status of certain public areas structuring the districts or even the creation of new collective equipment).
The programme will cover a wide area centred on the industrial axis Antwerp-Brussels-Charleroi characterised by old industrial districts in the process of being pauperised and urban de-structuring.