{"id":11043,"date":"2025-10-09T14:46:44","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T14:46:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newyorkmirror.us\/?p=11043"},"modified":"2025-10-09T14:46:44","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T14:46:44","slug":"google-backs-belgium-with-historic-e5-billion-technology-expansion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pappusaha.com\/euronews24\/google-backs-belgium-with-historic-e5-billion-technology-expansion\/","title":{"rendered":"Google Backs Belgium with Historic \u20ac5 Billion Technology Expansion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Major Investment Fuels AI Growth and Job Creation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Google commits \u20ac5 billion to expand its AI and data infrastructure in Belgium. The initiative stands as the company\u2019s largest Belgian project to date, adding 300 new jobs and increasing Wallonia\u2019s data capacity. This record-breaking investment reinforces Google\u2019s role in advancing Europe\u2019s digital and sustainable future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The tech firm expands its Saint-Ghislain data hub to strengthen access to AI and cloud services across Europe. \u201cWith today\u2019s announcement, Google deepens its partnership with Belgium, expands our footprint, and drives AI-led transformation,\u201d said <strong>Bikash Koley<\/strong>, Google\u2019s Vice President for Global Infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prime Minister <strong>Bart De Wever<\/strong> welcomed the announcement as a landmark for Belgium\u2019s technology and green economy. \u201cGoogle\u2019s investment reflects deep confidence in Belgium\u2019s digital capabilities and sustainable energy transition,\u201d he said. \u201cExpanding AI and cloud infrastructure creates skilled jobs, strengthens our energy independence, and solidifies Belgium\u2019s leadership in Europe\u2019s digital future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The new centres will operate on 100% carbon-free power, connecting directly to the country\u2019s renewable grid in alignment with EU 2030 climate objectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Wallonia Takes the Lead in Europe\u2019s Data Revolution<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wallonia embraces Google\u2019s continued investment as a defining milestone in its digital evolution. The company launched its first Belgian data centre there in 2009 and now reinforces the region\u2019s standing in Europe\u2019s technological landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe \u20ac5 billion investment highlights Wallonia\u2019s vital position as a European data and innovation hub,\u201d said <strong>Pierre-Yves Jeholet<\/strong>, Vice President of the Government of Wallonia. \u201cIt boosts job creation, spurs innovation, enhances local infrastructure, and develops critical AI skills. It also strengthens our region\u2019s digital sovereignty and aligns perfectly with our new digital strategy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Local authorities expressed strong enthusiasm. \u201cThis project builds an innovative ecosystem and creates opportunities for businesses across the region. We\u2019ll continue working closely with IDEA to ensure smooth integration,\u201d said <strong>Florence Monier<\/strong>, Mayor of Saint-Ghislain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">National Security and Digital Cooperation Advance Together<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Defence and Foreign Trade Minister <strong>Theo Francken<\/strong> underscored the importance of balance between global cooperation and national interests. \u201cBelgium values partnerships with global tech companies like Google,\u201d he said. \u201cWe strengthen our cyber capabilities while protecting sovereignty and national security.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The new investment also expands Google\u2019s collaboration with telecom operator <strong>Proximus<\/strong>, which develops sovereign cloud infrastructure in partnership with the U.S. firm. \u201cWe welcome Google\u2019s renewed commitment to Belgium,\u201d said <strong>Fabrice De Windt<\/strong>, CEO of Proximus. \u201cThis expansion strengthens our nation\u2019s position as a European leader in digital innovation and reinforces our partnership.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With this bold expansion, Google cements Belgium\u2019s place at the heart of Europe\u2019s digital transformation \u2014 combining innovation, sustainability, and technological sovereignty in a single forward-looking strategy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Major Investment Fuels AI Growth and Job Creation Google commits \u20ac5 billion to expand its AI and data infrastructure in Belgium. The initiative stands as the company\u2019s largest Belgian project to date, adding 300 new jobs and increasing Wallonia\u2019s data capacity. This record-breaking investment reinforces Google\u2019s role in advancing Europe\u2019s digital and sustainable future. The<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11392,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11043","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-business-economy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pappusaha.com\/euronews24\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11043","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pappusaha.com\/euronews24\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pappusaha.com\/euronews24\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pappusaha.com\/euronews24\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pappusaha.com\/euronews24\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11043"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/pappusaha.com\/euronews24\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11043\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pappusaha.com\/euronews24\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11392"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pappusaha.com\/euronews24\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11043"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pappusaha.com\/euronews24\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11043"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pappusaha.com\/euronews24\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11043"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}