Cross-Border Entrepreneurship Thrives Between Belgian and Dutch Limburg
Cross-border entrepreneurship forms a crucial pillar for economic growth and innovation in both Belgian and Dutch Limburg. This was once again underlined during the visit of more than 100 real estate entrepreneurs from the Real Estate Network of Voka – KvK Limburg to Maastricht. This working visit, aimed at fostering cooperation and investment across borders, highlighted inspiring examples of successful Belgian-Dutch projects in both the private and public sectors.
More than 100 real estate entrepreneurs from the Real Estate Network of Voka – KvK Limburg gathered at the Gouvernement, the provincial government building of Dutch Limburg in Maastricht, to emphasize the importance of cross-border entrepreneurship. First, the full “The M” project was unveiled for the first time – the largest construction and residential project in decades, located in the trendy Sphinx Quarter of Maastricht.
This ambitious project – a collaboration between Belgian companies Vestio and Group Machiels together with the Dutch RO-group – focuses on high-quality urban development in the heart of Maastricht. “The M” offers a unique living experience with modern architecture and sustainable development, fitting perfectly into the transformation of the Sphinx Quarter into a vibrant and attractive residential area.
“This project demonstrates how entrepreneurs from Belgian Limburg are successfully investing in and contributing to urban renewal in the Netherlands,” says Danny Somers, chairman of the Real Estate Network of Voka – KvK Limburg. “The complementarity between the two regions ensures that knowledge, expertise, and capital are optimally utilized.”
In addition to private investments, public collaboration also offers enormous opportunities for the Euregio. An excellent example of this is the joint effort of Belgian and Dutch Limburg to bring the Einstein Telescope to the region. This groundbreaking scientific project, which focuses on detecting gravitational waves, has the potential to develop the Euregio into a global hub for fundamental research and technological innovation.
“The Einstein Telescope is a once-in-a-generation project that puts our region on the global map as a region of knowledge and innovation,” says Tom Vandeput, Provincial Deputy for Economy and European Affairs. “It is a multi-billion euro investment involving three countries, with enormous opportunities for businesses, jobs, and the reputation of Limburg, attracting talent, innovation, and investment like a magnet. It will be crucial to work together more broadly and deeply across national borders. The strength of this project lies not only in technology or science but in connecting companies, knowledge institutions, and governments in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. We must strengthen this cross-border mindset – especially among entrepreneurs. Those who already think and operate internationally today will be one step ahead tomorrow. This is how we build a strong, innovative, and open economy in which Limburg fully takes its place in Europe.”
Voka – KvK Limburg also emphasizes the importance of such visionary entrepreneurship. “Borders should not be barriers, but rather bridges for cooperation and development,” says Johann Leten, Managing Director of Voka – KvK Limburg. “The joint efforts surrounding the Einstein Telescope show how public and private players can work together to build the future of the Euregio.”
The working visit of the Real Estate Network of Voka – KvK Limburg confirms the growing ambition of entrepreneurs to look beyond borders. The successful projects of “The M” and the Einstein Telescope underscore that cooperation between Belgian and Dutch Limburg is not only possible but also extremely valuable. This visit is therefore not the end, but a new beginning of further collaborative initiatives between the two regions.
