Wallonia and EIB sign cooperation deal for La Louvière redevelopment

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Wallonia and EIB La Louvière deal

Highlights

The Walloon government and European Investment Bank signed a memorandum of understanding for collaboration on La Louvière redevelopment following a roundtable at Château Boël.
The EIB will provide technical and financial expertise to review and support projects aligned with European priorities such as sustainable reindustrialisation, circular economy, health, and training.
The strategy targets establishing La Louvière as a reference hub for industrial innovation, medical excellence, training, urban regeneration, and sustainable development projects.

Cooperation framework for long-term projects

As reported by the European Investment Bank, the Walloon government and the EIB signed a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday following a roundtable at Château Boël in La Louvière. The signing takes place during a visit by the King of the Belgians aimed at supporting the renewal of a territory with a strong industrial heritage and new development ambitions.

The memorandum sets out a collaboration framework to review projects that could benefit from the EIB's technical and financial expertise. Robert de Groot, vice-president of the EIB, says the bank's mission is closely tied to the economic resilience of territories and that the vision for La Louvière and the Centre region matches several European priorities, including sustainable reindustrialisation, the circular economy, innovation, health and training.

He adds that, under the agreement, the EIB will work with regional authorities and local stakeholders to identify solid projects that bring added value for citizens and support the territory's durable transformation.

Regional strategy targets industry, health and urban renewal

The strategic vision for the Centre region is built around a long-term ambition to position La Louvière and its surrounding area as a reference hub for sustainable reindustrialisation, the circular economy, health, training and urban regeneration. The plan is structured around four complementary priorities, innovative industrial and circular economy development, the creation of a medical excellence hub, stronger training and research, and improvements to living conditions and the area's attractiveness.

Under the partnership, the EIB is making its expertise available to help regional authorities and project promoters identify initiatives that can advance sustainable territorial development. Potential cooperation may cover circular economy projects, industrial innovation, social and health infrastructure, training, energy efficiency, urban infrastructure and climate transition.

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