Summer / Ramadan 2014

Dear Members,
Dear Partners,
Dear Friends,

Summer and Ramadan are there...

It has been a pleasure welcoming each of you to all the events we have organized during the first six months of 2014. More events are yet to come for the rest of the year and we are looking forward to seeing everyone on these great occasions.

In the meantime, the Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce team wishes you all a nice summer and Ramadan Karim!

Johan Beerlandt Chairman

Qaisar Hijazin Secretary-General

New Members of the Chamber

Regus

Brussels Airport Pegasus, 5 Pegasuslaan / Avenue Pégase, 1831 Diegem - Belgium

Regus Business Centres offer a global network of fully equipped offices, virtual offices, meeting rooms and a la carte services. Available immediately to hour, day, month or year. Thus, regardless of the time and place where you want to work, Regus can provide you with flexible solutions tailored to your needs.

Our products and services allow our customers to concentrate 100% on their own core business, and use their talent to be best effect.
Be they the largest global corporate or an entrepreneur with an idea, we help them be more flexible, more cost-effective and more agile- and better able to face the unexpected challenges of business in the 21st Century.

What we offer : Offices, virtual offices, meeting rooms. Video conferences, business lounges, business world, workspace disaster recovery.

Our locations in the Middle East are located in : Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Dubai, Morocco, Tunisia Algeria And Egypt.

Contact: Maarten Digneffe (General Manager)
Tel.: +32 2 709 2079 - Fax: +32 2 709 2222
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Website: www.regus.com

Tagrimount Go Big

Intersection 2ième étage, Carfour, Chabet El Ameur Boumerdes – Algeria

Our company has four activities:

1. Company of secretarial work and administrative assistance: Assistance to public and private administration & Assistance to Foreign Service.
2. Consulting firm in organization, market research and polls: Advise and assist companies in managing the planning control of public relations and communication, Realization of all market research and customer behavior, Supervision and implementation of research center and ensure its implementation and operation, Monitoring and control of implementation.
3. Consulting firm, studies and assistance in investment: Advice, research and assistance for the development and implementation of all investment projects, advice on training and staff recruitment.
4. Business office: All activities of intermediaries, interesting the economic and commercial field excepting regulated activities; Representation of trade and business agency.

Contact: Mourad Khacheni (Company Manager)
Tel.: +213 661 50 17 09
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Website: www.tagrimountgobig.com

Healthcare Solutions

5 Rue Prince Jean, 4740 Pétrange – Luxembourg

Activities : Distribution of defibrillators, as well as medical and rescue equipment, emergency training and DEA

Contact: Yves Leduc (Sales Director)
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Website: www.cardiocare.lu

Amal Holding

294 Hubert Frère-Orbanlaan, 9000 Ghent - Brussels

Activities: Contracting / Consulting

Contact: Catherine Vanderstricht (CEO)
Tel.: +32 496 120 500
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Economic News

Bahrain Joins ATA Carnet System

The Kingdom of Bahrain has joined the ATA Carnet System which will be operational from June 1st, 2014. The Carnet eliminates the need to purchase temporary import bonds. As long as the goods are re-exported within the allotted time frame, no duties or taxes are due. The Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry considers the adoption of the ATA Carnet System a method of simplifying customs procedures and supporting the national economy.

Source: Atacarnet

Christine Lagarde praises Saudi role in stabilizing economy

The Head of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, expressed "the IMF's appreciation for Saudi Arabia's important role in supporting the global economy, including its commitment to stabilize the oil market and its active participation in both international financial institutions, such as the IMF, and global economic policy discussions in the context of the G20." She pointed out that the Kingdom, which has played a prominent role in supporting its neighbors affected by the world crisis, is one of the countries that have helped the global economy overcome its crisis.

Lagarde declarations came on the sidelines of the annual spring meetings, organized by the IMF and the World Bank in Washington and attended by finance ministers and central bankers in the world.

Source: Reuters

Gulf states provide the world with 23 percent of its oil needs

The Secretary General of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC), H.E.M. Abbas Ali Al-Naqi, has stressed the strategic importance of GCC countries as they provide the world with 23 percent of its oil needs and about 12 percent of its needs in natural gas. Likewise, GCC countries possess 39 percent of the international oil reserves and 21 percent of the natural gas reserves.

He highlighted Kuwait’s permanent coordination among GCC and OAPEC member countries as regards territorial and international fields in order to tackle all issues related to oil resources and the challenges that such a vital industry encounters.

Furthermore, it seeks to reinforce the concept of ‘energy security’ in the region as well as worldwide to keep providing oil and gas from the Gulf area and countries of the Middle East to the rest of the world.

Source: Arab News

Ernst & Young expects 4.1 percent growth for the UAE

Ernst & Young, an institution specialized in financial services, predicts growth in the UAE to reach 4.1 percent in 2015, up from 3.3 percent in 2012, with a growth of 4.7% in the non-oil sector.

This increase will be driven primarily by the recovery of key sectors, including financial services and construction. What is more, fiscal policy "will remain accommodative in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with several infrastructure projects in the pipeline".

Moreover, according to the report, economic growth in the UAE is set to increase by an average of 4.3 per cent over the next four years, largely attributed to Dubai's successful bid to host the World Expo 2020.

Source: Gulfbankers

News from Our Members

Inauguration of Banque Chaabi du Maroc new building

On June 26, 2014, Banque Chaabi du Maroc has held the inauguration of its new headquarters, next to its existing main offices, in the very heart of Brussels.

The opening ceremony of this modern and state-of-the-art building was graced with the presence of Mr. Brahim Abouyoub, Director of Banque Chaabi du Maroc, along with Political Leaders, Representatives from the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco, and customers of the Bank.

COPRABEL celebrates its 25th anniversary

Last 21st of May, Coprabel celebrated its 25th anniversary. On this occasion, all distributors and customers of Coprabel gathered in Chateaux du Lac Genval for a big reception. Participants from the various countries for which Coprabel exports (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Qatar, Bahrain, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria), along with personalities of the Belgian business community and major suppliers, staff and friends of the company attended the event.

COPRABEL S.A. is a Belgian Producer/Exporter of paints, which owns the Registered Marks Coprabel’s EASY COLOR® for paints and varnishes in general (especially metallic pigmented paints “Gold, Bright Gold, Copper and Silver”) and Coprabel’s NARI® for products related to wood treatment. All products are used by customers with high satisfaction for many applications, such as interior wall designs, exterior frontages, wood decoration and protection as much for new works as for renovations.

COPRABEL S.A. is also in charge for the marketing and export of reputed international manufacturers of raw materials for the paints, inks, adhesives, detergents and plastic master batches industries. Some products: metallic powders, pigments, colorants, dryers, additives, pastes, glitters, tall oil, pine oil, linseed oil, etc.

Kuwait Petroleum International creates history in Luxembourg

Since early May 2014, Kuwait Petroleum International (Q8) has opened its first highway site in Capellen, Luxembourg. This is Q8’s largest site ever as well as the third largest site worldwide. The Service Station, which is located on the trans-European E25 motorway in Luxembourg, is very close to the borders of Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands.

The 7th hectares site includes 41 brand new fuel pumps with 28 filling positions for trucks, 11 for cars, and 2 for LPG, a big Delhaize Shop and a Go centre.

It is predicted that, each year, this new station should welcome over one million customers and that over 100 million liters of fuel should be served. This represents four customers filling up the tank of their vehicles every minute of the day.

During the opening ceremony, Kuwait Petroleum International President, Bakheet Al-Rashidi, stated that “Luxembourg may be a small country, but just like Kuwait, it stands tall on the international scene”. He also expressed his hope that this would be the beginning of more ties between Kuwait and Luxembourg.

Source: KUNA

Hospitals finally pass JCI accreditation for negative (or positive) pressure rooms

MedicCleanAir® stands for an efficient and proven solution to reduce nosocomial infections and feasible easy installed devices that make negative or positive isolation rooms from existing patient rooms. Level ISO8 – 7 or even ISO6 with pressure difference up to 20 Pascal. Installation time and results: 1 day max. No more discussions about air quality in my department.

MedicCleanAir will be at:

Patient Safety Dubai – 16-18th September 2014 // Rencontre Internationale Francophone des Infirmiers et Infirmières en Hygiène Hospitalière Bruxelles 2+3 Octobre 2014// Medica Düsseldorf 12-15th November 2014 // Zdravo Moscow 8-12th December 2014

Chamber News and recent Activities

Doing Business in the State of Qatar

7 May 2014

The State of Qatar is experiencing a development considered by experts as one of the fastest in the world. The country, which is working to diversify its economy away from the oil and gas sector, offers Belgian businesses ample opportunities to export their experience and know-how to its growing market.

For that reason, Club Wallonia Export and the Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, in presence of Mr. Saoud Al-Binali, First Secretary at the Embassy of Qatar, had the pleasure to welcome, a large number of Belgian investors, to an interactive meeting with a view to shedding light on the various investment opportunities offered by the fastest growing economy in the Gulf region.

For a great start to the day, the ABLCC offered the participants a breakfast in the Arab style.

Then, all participants were ready to attend the seminar in order to learn more on ways of investment in the State of Qatar.

In their opening speech, Mrs. Monique Oger, Head of Communication at Club Wallonia Export, and Mr. Qaisar Hijazin, Secretary General of ABLCC, pointed out the remarkable ascent of Qatar on the international stage, as well as the strong partnership opportunities. Furthermore, Mr. Hijazin encouraged Belgian companies to take full advantage of the good reputation of the label “made in Belgium”.

Afterwards, Mr. Jean-Marc Damry, Editor at Trends Tendance, took the floor and presented a comprehensive overview of the economic and social evolution of the region.

Mr. Benjamin de Seille, Specialist in the Gulf Region, provided the participants with practical information to set up a business in Qatar, while drawing attention to some of the cultural and legal aspects.

Finally, Mr. Denis Rutot, Managing Director of Chassis Hanin, Mr. Romain Olieslager, Partner Account Manager of Market IP, and Mr. Nicolas Kadri, Managing Partner at Mobilu, shared their experience in establishing their companies in Qatar. Then a debate took place in the form of a question and answer session.

To bring to a close this interesting seminar, the participants had the opportunity to establish contacts during a buffet-lunch.

Visit of an Algerian Delegation

13 May 2014

On May 13, 2014, Brussels Entreprises Commerce and Industry (BECI) in cooperation with the Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce (ABLCC), had the pleasure to welcome an Algerian Delegation made up of fifteen business leaders and headed by Mr. Saâdane Kadri, Secretary General of the Algerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACI).

The Delegation included exporters in the sector of agri-food products as well as importers looking for opportunities of partnerships and investment in the following areas: tool machines and industrial equipment, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, glass, plastics and composites, renewable energy.

Morning session: Seminar

After a welcome note of Mr. Olivier Willocx, BECI’s Chief Executive, and Mr. Belkacem Belgaid, Minister Counsellor at the Embassy of Algeria, a memorandum of agreement between the Algerian Chamber of Commerce and Brussels Chamber of Commerce was signed.

Then, Mr. Saâdane Kadri took the floor and provided a complete picture of Algeria and its commercial exchanges with Belgium.

Afterwards, the participants had the opportunity to learn more about the needs and opportunities of the Algerian outsourcing market, thanks to a detailed account by Mr. Ramdane Toukal, Secretary General of Bourse Algérienne de la Sous-traitance et du Partenariat (BASTP).

After a short break, Mrs. Wassila Mouzai, Auditor for WM audit firm, provided all necessary legal information and conditions to access the Algerian market.

To bring the seminar to an end, Mr. Qaisar Hijazin, Secretary General of ABLCC, chaired a dynamic question and answer session. He seized the opportunity to remind the importance of the Algerian market and thanked Mrs. Sabine Soetens, International Business Development Manager at BECI, for the efficient organization of the event.

Afternoon Session: B2B Business Networking

After a buffet-lunch, during which they had the opportunity to establish contacts, the participants took part to a B2B business networking with their Algerian counterparts.

5th EBBA visit to Brussels

14 May 2014

On Wednesday May 14, the ABLCC received a delegation of the Egyptian-Belgian Businessmen Delegation (EBBA) at the BECI headquarters, and this for the fifth consecutive year.

Egypt, one of the biggest markets in the Middle East and North Africa region, remains of great interest for Belgian companies. And Belgium also remains an interesting country for Egyptian enterprises who want to export their goods.

Sixteen Egyptian enterprises and more than twenty Belgian companies participated in this year's edition, a number that keeps rising every year. The number is in direct relation to a growing trade balance, said Mr. Rafik Attia (EBBA president) and Mr. Qaisar Hijazin in their joint statement on beurtv.

Lunch Conference: The Economic Outlook of the Arab World three years into the Arab Spring

11 June 2014

On the occasion of its annual General Assembly, the Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce continued the tradition of bringing together its board members, Arab Ambassadors, and its dear members, for a lunch-conference in the Cercle Royal Gaulois to learn from top analysts about economic exchange in the Arab world.

After the completion of the board of directors meeting and the General Assembly - under the chair of Mr. William Pissoort, Lawyer at PG Partners and Board member of the ABLCC -, during which Mr. Hijazin underlined the strong financial position enjoyed by the Chamber, all participants gathered for the usual lunch-conference.

Mr. Pissoort launched the conference with an introduction on “the business climate in the Arab world” and throw into relief that despite the recent events that have shaken the Arab world great progress has been made.

He then left the floor to our guest speaker, Mr. Nassib Ghobril, Chief Economist and Head of the Economic Research & Analysis Department at the Byblos Bank Group.

Mr. Ghobril is a first-class lecturer; he has indeed been awarded “best economist in Lebanon and the Diaspora for 2009”, “best Sovereign Risk Analyst of 2010” and has received the “2013 Excellence in Economic Research Award”. He gave the audience an accurate and complete picture of “the Economic Outlook of the Arab World three years into the Arab Spring”.

If we had to summarize Mr. Ghobril’s address in one key sentence, this would , beyond the shadow of a doubt, be: “the Arab Spring will blossom”!

We thank you all for coming in such a large number and for your continuing support.

Visit to the Port of Ghent

18 june 2014

On the 18 June, 2014, ABLCC members were offered the possibility to gather in the Port of Ghent for a private behind-the-scenes boat tour.

The introduction by Mr. Daan Schalck, CEO of the Port of Ghent, along with the boat tour led by Mrs. Sandra De Mey, Commercial Manager of the Port, allowed the participants the opportunity to see the important development of the Port of Ghent , as well as its economic and strategic influence, and its growing relations with the Arab World.

At the end of the tour, everybody was delighted with the quality of the visit.

Upcoming Events

25 September 2014

Doing Business With Arab Countries: Theory & Practice"

25 September 2014
Antwerp

The Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with SGS Belgium NV, is organizing a seminar entitled “Doing business with Arab countries: Theory and Practice”, on September 25, 2014.

This Seminar is to be held in the premises of SGS (87, Noorderlaan – 2030 Antwerp).

Look for more detailed information on our website soon!

30 November – 05 December 2014

Economic Mission to the Kingdom of Morocco

30 November – 05 December 2014
Morocco

The Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, in close cooperation with the regional foreign trade agencies AWEX, BIE and FIT, will be organizing a multi-sectoral Economic Mission to the Kingdom of Morocco from 30 November to 05 December 2014.

Please mark your calendars and make sure to attend this major event!

Look for more detailed information on our website soon!

Announcements

Brilliance Group for Trade & Procurement

Brilliance Group for Trade & Procurement, specialized in trade, importing and exporting chemical products, wishes to expand its international market and to export Pure Sodium Chloride, Salt (white or colourless crystals, in its natural mineral halite form).

For more information kindly contact:

Mr. Sameh Hassan – General Manager
261 El Geish Road, Stanly, Alexandria, Egypt
Tel/Fax: +203 5439931
Mobile: +201 000094054 / +201 205078787
e-mail:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website:www.brilliancegroupeg.com

Business Proposals

The ABLCC now sends tenders and business proposals directly to ABLCC members via e-mail.

Would you also like to benefit from these and other ABLCC services? You can. Become a member and enjoy the full range of advantages offered by the ABLCC.

Brochure and subscription form
Brochure en inschrijvingsformulier
Brochure et demande d’adhésion
مزايا الانضمام لعضوية الغرفة و طلـب انتســـاب الغرفة

You are welcome to return the completed form to us by e-mail (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) or fax (32 2 347 57 64).

Fairs, Conferences and Exhibitions

First International Exhibition of Najaf for Machines, Mechanisms Vehicles, and Equipment

Najaf (Irak) – 01-04 September 2014
More information: www.goldenfalconfairs.com
Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Patient Safety Middle East

Dubai (United Arab Emirates) – 16-18 September 2014
More information: http://www.patientsafety-me.com/
Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Arab Women Leaders in Leadership and Business Summit

Dubai (United Arab Emirates) – 22 -23 September 2014
More information: http://micequotient.com/the-arab-women-in-leadership-and-business-summit/
Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

40th Edition of the Arab Health Exhibition

Dubai (United Arab Emirates) – 26-29 January 2015
More information: http://www.arabhealthonline.com/ or http://www.awex.be/fr-BE/Nos%20services%20%C3%A0%20l%27export/Programme%20d%27actions/Pages/2015-AFPMO-EAU-ArabHealth.aspx
Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

New ABLCC Services

Visa Service and Registration of Documents for Saudi Arabia

The Chamber is delighted to provide a visa service to Belgian and Luxembourgish citizens and persons legally residing in Belgium or Luxembourg who want to undertake business travels to, or work in, Saudi Arabia. You are welcome to contact the Chamber for more information on the visa obtainment procedure.

Fees for visa service: €50 (VAT not included)
Member advantage: ABLCC members can simply drop off and pick up their documents at the Chamber within 48 hours, or have them sent to them by mail, and save valuable time. For ABLCC members, the Chamber takes care of the document certification at the Saudi Embassy. The ABLCC is not responsible for any possible delays in visa issuance.

Since recently, the ABLCC is also authorized by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to register all documents for which you have to obtain legalization at the Saudi Consulate in Brussels.

Fees for document registration: €10 members - €15 non-members (VAT not included)

Don’t hesitate to contact us for information on the visa obtainment and/or document registration process.
Tel.: +32 (0)2 344 82 04 – E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Facilitation of Business Cooperation through the EEN Business Cooperation Database

Looking for business contacts in the Arab world? The ABLCC is your first point of contact! Over the years, the ABLCC has managed to develop a strong network in the Arab world comprising businesses, officials, diplomats, trade associations, financial institutions and chambers of commerce on all levels.

Thanks to Enterprise Europe Brussels, the ABLCC can now also offer its members access to the Business Cooperation Database of Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), one of the world’s largest tools for business matchmaking. Contact us to obtain your Business Co-operation Proposal Form and have your company profile published in the EEN Business Cooperation Database. The kind collaboration of BECI/Enterprise Europe Brussels enables us to send you the expressions of interest of companies established in the Arab world for your company profile.

More information:www.brusselsnetwork.be (Enterprise Europe Brussels)

Contact us atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Would you also like to benefit from these and other ABLCC services? You can. Become a member and enjoy the full range of advantages offered by the ABLCC.

Brochure and subscription form
Brochure en inschrijvingsformulier
Brochure et demande d’adhésion
مزايا الانضمام لعضوية الغرفة و طلـب انتســـاب الغرفة

You are welcome to return the completed form to us by e-mail (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) or fax (32 2 347 57 64).