Hello Johan Billiet...
...Flanders Investment and Trade Agency, why are there so many Belgian companies represented at Biotech Forum?
What is your impression of the fair?
" It is very well organized, Stockholm International Fairs and Bella Center do a terrific job, it is sad that there are so few biotech companies here. This is the fifth year we come to the fair and there used to be around 70 companies represented. This year, other organizations like UK Trade and Investment, Biotech Umeå and Stockholm Uppsala Life Science are missing and I think it is because of lack of interest from their companies because it is too expensive to come here. This is a contradiction to me since you have very strong clusters here and we have met a lot of them on international fairs like Bio Europe. I suppose they want to go where the market is, and show themselves to potential partners and customers there."
What do you think about the future of Biotech Forum?
"I think it is time to face the truth and ask ourselves if we really need a biotech fair in Scandinavia. Maybe it would be better if the companies from this area got together and arranged a pavilion at the international fairs where the international players could meet them?"