A new study from the World Trade Organization reports no significant intensification of trade or investment restriction since September 2009. This is good news for anyone who values global prosperity, and that includes Belgium.

During the twentieth century, the global population increased by 6 billions (four times more) and the industrial production increased by a factor 40. Our energy consumption went up by a factor 16 and CO² emissions by a factor 10.

Marc De Vos points out how Opel Antwerp’s destiny is both an economic and politic story. Politics has a big influence on multinationals’ restructuring, but Belgium had to give up in front of big countries like the US and Germany.

The financial crisis reminds us once again at the wisdom that the free market, just like a football game needs rules to be able to function in an efficient and competitive way. We come out of a period where the sophism which means that new financial instruments can reduce the risk, was at its best.

In view of the difficult budgetary negotiations the debate about the healthcare expenditure growth rate is everywhere. For some, a more modest rate stands for the beginning of the end of a solidary social security; for others the status quo will condemn our welfare state to bankruptcy.

Among all the regional agreements, the Flemish one sadly stands alone when it comes to numerically clarifying the way politicians are going to manage public money.