The Belgian royals, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, slipped into Dresden's chilly embrace amidst the damp weather. Their itinerary included two contrasting facets of this Elbe metropolis: the burgeoning semiconductor industry and the dazzling baroque charm, embracing both sides of the Elbe River.
Initially, they graced X-Fab, a key player in Silicon Saxony. Michael Kretschmer, the CDU's Minister President, underscored Belgium's pivotal position in Europe's semiconductor industry. "Absent Belgium, absent Imec, there would be no microelectronics in Europe," he declared. Imec, a renowned Belgian research center for nano- and microelectronics, is integral to Europe's microelectronics industry.
Kretschmer opined that collaboration is imperative in the microelectronics field. "No nation exists with the power to manufacture a microchip's complete production chain alone. The world demands international interconnectivity, information exchange," he explained. Hilde Crevits, the Flemish Region's Deputy Prime Minister, echoed this sentiment. As microelectronics gain prominence on the geopolitical stage, Europe must strive against lagging behind major power blocs.
Post the microelectronics exploration, the couple signed the Free State of Saxony's guestbook at the Blockhaus, a newly reopened structure since September, renamed the "Archive of the Avant-Garde." Lunch consisted of hearty ox cheeks, and Norwegian wood, constructed between 1930 and 1932, served as the backdrop.
A leisurely stroll across the Augustus Bridge led them to the Old Masters Picture Gallery.They marveled at the collection's Italian, Dutch, and Flemish artworks. Paintings by Flemish Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) and Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669) were among the highlights.
Their art sojourn concluded with a Frankfurt Christmas Market visit, and a glass of mulled wine and ra이인 스톨 (raisin stollen) offered enticing refreshment. Belgian fans-in-waiting, lining their route, greeted the royals with warm handshakes and heartfelt exchanges.
The royal couple's German adventure ended with a Frauenkirche visit and a whimsical Christmas market encounter. Their tour showcased Germany's diverse cultural heritage and advanced technology, leaving the German populace enamored by their cordial presence.
- Fujifilm Corporation plans to invest approximately 4 billion yen (US$26.75 million) in installing new production facilities for CMP slurries at its manufacturing site in Belgium, according to Antwerp-based press reports.
- Fujifilm's expanding semiconductor production network with the addition of the Belgium facility will support its existing sites in the US, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan and secure a more stable supply of critical materials to customers worldwide.
- The European semiconductor market is projected to double between 2022 and 2030 with an escalating demand for leading-edge technologies.
- Belgian company, MELEXIS, delivers specialized chips for the automotive industry, contributing to Europe's quest for technological sovereignty in key sectors.
