Chamber News and Recent Activities

Focus on the UAE and Qatar

27th January 2015

On the framework of the Belgian Economic Mission to the United Arab Emirates March 2015, AWEX and the Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce organized a visit in Liege with a focus on the United Arab Emirates and Qatar on the 27th of January 2015.

A morning visit of the Trilogiport with DP World followed by a lunch, in presence Mr. Jean-Claude Marcourt, Walloon Minister of Economy, at the Chateau Colonster, and a visit of the Galler factory in the afternoon gave the participants a clear idea of the economic benefits of the focus countries investments in the Region.

This is Bahrain

28th January 2015

The Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce took part to the 3rd Edition of “this is Bahrain” organized by The Bahrain Federation of Expatriate Associations (BFEA) and which showcased the Kingdom's best attributes.

A two-hundred strong delegation, representing Governmental parties, religious institutions, and civil society organizations, took part to the event so as to bring forward their achievements and join ranks to promote the real Bahrain.

6th Arab-Belgian Diplomatic Business Workshop

02 February 2015

On Monday, 02 February 2015, the Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, with the generous support of its partner Linklaters and the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, held its famous “Diplomatic Workshop” for the 6th consecutive year on the occasion of the Belgian Diplomatic Days.

For entrepreneurs, the developments in the Arab world require accurate and up-to-date information. This annual event is thus an inestimable occasion to gain vital information about the Arab world and to develop business relations during the networking reception afterwards.

The 2015 edition of this renowned annual ABLCC event provided the participants with the exclusive opportunity to benefit from the insights of Belgian Ambassadors in the Arab world, which currently finds itself in a period of far-reaching change, and to exchange with both Belgian and Arab Ambassadors.

“As trade and investment continue to grow rapidly, economic diplomacy remains more than ever one of the priorities in the relations that bind Belgium and the Arab world. For that reason, Belgian Ambassadors play a vital role in promoting Belgium's economic interests abroad” underlined Mr. Qaisar Hijazin, Secretary-General of the ABLCC, in his introduction speech.

We were thus particularly honoured and delighted to welcome:

1. H.E. Mr. Thomas Baekelandt, Belgian Ambassador to Jordan
2. H.E. Mr. Geert Criel, Belgian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia
3. H.E. Mr. Andy Detaille, Belgian Ambassador to Kuwait
4. H.E. Mr. Gilles Heyvaert, Belgian Ambassador to Egypt
5. H.E. Mr. Alex Lenaerts, Belgian Ambassador to Lebanon
6. H.E. Mr. Frédéric Meurice, Belgian Ambassador to Algeria
7. H.E. Mrs Dominique Mineur, Belgian Ambassador to the UAE
8. H.E. Mr. Christophe Payot, Belgian Ambassador to Qatar

In turn, each of these distinguished guests provided the particpants with up-to-date information about business climate and investment opportunities along with their insightful analysis of their country of accreditation – Download full report here.

To bring to a close this interesting workshop, the participants had the opportunity to establish contacts during a cocktail reception hosted by our partner Linklaters.

Lunch with Lebanese Minister of Economy and Trade

09 February 2015

On the occasion of the visit of H.E.M. Alain HAKIM, Minister Of Economy and Trade of Lebanon, the Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the Embassy of Lebanon, organized a lunch meeting on Monday 09 February 2015 in the premises of Hotel Sofitel Louise.

The main objective of this meeting was to gather concerned parties in order to address Lebanon economic and financial situation as well as the challenges facing Lebanon.

This gathering was a good opportunity for participants from both sides to share experiences, promote dialogue, and consolidate key partner relations.

Briefing session in presence of HRH Princess Astrid

09 March 2015

In the framework of the Belgian Economic Mission to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates at the end of March, the Belgian Foreign Trade Agency, with the collaboration of the Regional Agencies for the promotion of foreign trade and investment (AWEX, Brussels Invest & Export, FIT), have organized, in the premises of BNP Paribas Fortis Bank, a briefing session in presence of HRH Princess Astrid, the Ambassadors of Qatar and the UAE, and Belgian participants to the Mission on 09 March, 2015.

After a welcome word by Mr. André Deltenre, Head of Cash Management & GTS Belgium at BNP Paribas Fortis, Mr. Marc Bogaerts, Director General of the Belgian Foreign Trade Agency, and the representatives of AWEX (Mrs. Pascale Delcomminette), Brussels Invest & Export (Mrs. Benedicte Wilders), FIT (Mrs. Claire Tillekaerts), and FPS Foreign Affairs (Mrs. Michèle Deneffe) introduced the Mission and briefly described the relations between the UAE, Qatar, and Belgium.

Afterwards, Mr. Sam Verdonck, Business Development Manager at CONMEC, delivered some "tips and tricks for doing business in Qatar and UAE". Likewise, Mr. Philippe Dessoy, Besix general manager for the Middle East, presented a testimonial covering more than 40 years of experience in Arab Gulf countries.

To bring to a close the seminar, the participants had the opportunity to establish contacts during a networking cocktail.

Belgian Economic Mission to Qatar and UAE

21-27 March 2015

Fltr : H.E. Suleiman Hamed Al-Mazroui, H.E. Pieter De Crem, H.R.H. Princess Astrid of Belgium, H.E.M. Hisham Abdullah Al Shirawi, H.E. Philippe Muyters, Mr. Ghassan Ejjeh

Saturday, 21 March, Princess Astrid of Belgium, accompanied by a large ministerial team, undertook an Economic Mission to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. This mission, which was a real success, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, promoting opportunities for further cooperation between the two countries, as well as promoting Belgian know-how in several fields of expertise. This Multi-sectoral Economic Mission gathered just about 475 participants representing government entities as well as executives of about 267 companies, which makes it the largest delegation ever organized in the framework of a Belgian Economic Mission.

This Mission was punctuated by several high level meetings as well as by the signing of a certain number of agreements celebrating new partnerships between Belgium, Qatar, and the UAE.

To bring this Mission to a close the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) in close cooperation with the Arab-Belgian Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, and with the support of the Embassy of Belgium in the UAE, organized the “UAE-Belgium Business Forum”. During the forum, Dubai Chamber signed two Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with the Federation of Belgian Chambers of Commerce (FBCC), the Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce (ABLCC) and Brussels Enterprises Commerce & Industry (BECI), as well as another MoU with the Voka-Antwerpen Waasland Chamber of Commerce taking aim at promoting economic and commercial cooperation as well as exchange of trade information between Dubai and Belgium.

Signature of Memorandum of Understanding between Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce and Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry

In his presentation on Business Opportunities in Belgium, Mr. Ghassan Ejjeh, on behalf of Mr. Johan Beerlandt, Chairman of the Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce and CEO of Besix, informed that Belgium is the 13th largest most importing exporting country in the world as well as 7th largest trading partner for the Arab countries.

He added that Belgium has a vibrant pro-business environment, rooted in technology and innovation and investing in Belgium is an ideal move into the European market as the country occupies key position at the very heart of Europe with access to 500 million consumers and 80 per cent of the region’s purchasing power.

In a nutshell, the Belgian Economic Mission to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates paved the way for the negotiation and the signing of agreements as well as for establishing business connections. This Economic Mission has thus been an opportune event for Belgian, Qatari and Emirati businessmen and businesswomen.

The Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce wishes to this collaboration wonderful achievements!