The setting up of the Microsoft Innovation Center was announced on 20 January with the aim of developing the local economy through innovation in collaboration with the Wallonia Region and numerous partners. This technical innovation centre will draw special attention to the eHealth domain and will support several dozen innovative projects each year.

The official opening of the Microsoft Innovation Center in Mons will take place on 4 March 2009 at 2.00 p.m. The event will be attended by Rudy Demotte, Prime Minister of the Wallonia Region, Marie-Dominique Simonet, Minister for Research, New Technologies and External Relations of the Wallonia Region and Elio Di Rupo, Mayor of Mons.