Past Events

14 May 2013 – Brussels

Fltr: Mrs. Mette Werdelin Azzam of the World Customs Organization, Mr. Qaisar Hijazin, SG of the ABLCC, Mr. Valère Van Geel, General Counselor at the FPS Economy and Mr. Wouter Van Gulck, General Manager of the Belgian Chambers.

On the 14th of May, the ABLCC participated in an information meeting on E-Certification for Export organized by the Belgian Federal Public Service for Economy. As was mentioned by Mr. Eli Vanslembrouck, Attaché at the DG Economic Potential - Trade Policy of the FPS Economy, Belgian chambers of commerce delivered 280,404 certificates of origin in 2012, an increase of 10,170 certificates or 3.8% compared with 2011. Arab countries are well represented in the top ten of main destinations in 2012, with Saudi Arabia – which accounts for 7.8% of the total of certificates of origin delivered by Belgian Chambers in 2012 – occupying a second position. Other Arab countries that were able to secure a spot in the top ten include the United Arab Emirates (7.5%), Egypt (3.4%), Algeria (2.6%), and Qatar (2.0%). In charge of the legalization of commercial documents destined for the Arab world, the ABLCC had been invited to give a presentation on its activities and services. An overview of ABLCC member advantages can be consulted here.

Mrs. Mette Werdelin Azzam, Technical Officer at the Origin Sub-Directorate of the World Customs Organization, elaborated on the topic of E-certification, while Mr. Christophe Coulie intervened on behalf of Belgian Chambers to inform participants about the electronic issuance of non-preferential certificates of origin. Online issuing of certificates of origin has been operational since 2009 via www.digichambers.be. In April 2013, the Federation of Belgian Chambers of Commerce and Industry moreover reinforced the global integrity of chambers by joining the ICC World Chambers Federation (WCF) Certificate of Origin (CO) Accreditation Chain.

Those who wish to improve their know-how on international trade, will certainly be interested in learning more about the International Trade Executive Programme that was presented by Mr. Rudi Thomaes of the International Business Institute. The 2013-2014 edition will start the 18th of October and targets export managers, business developers and international sales, procurement and supply-chain executives. For more information on the programme, please visit http://www.iccbelgium.be/index.php/international-business-institute.

For more information on e-certifications, please contact Mrs. Mette Werdelin Azzam at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.digichambers.be.

For more information on legalization of commercial documents destined for the Arab world, you are welcome to contact the ABLCC at +32 (0)2 344 82 04 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Source: Belgian FPS Economy