Belgium among top four most innovative economies

Belgium has one of the world’s most innovative economies, according to the German Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW), reports De Tijd. The researchers evaluated 35 developed countries and gave them a score based on the extent to which their economy supports the areas that are of key importance for a nation’s innovation capability: economy, science, education, government institutions, and civil society.

Switzerland is the most innovative, according to the report, followed by Singapore, Finland and Belgium. In 2010, Belgium ranked tenth in the ZEW’s Innovation Indicator. This year, Belgium’s fourth place puts it ahead of neighbouring countries, Germany (6th), the Netherlands (8), and France (17).

According to the researchers, Belgium is a leader in innovation and research and development thanks to a strong sector of independent small businesses, as well as a competitive high-tech industry.