Chamber News and Recent Activities

ABLCC Business Handbook

The Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the publication, both in hard and soft copies, of its new Business Handbook, which is a first-class guide to Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg official institutions, professional organizations, and to the ABLCC growing network of companies along with their contact details.

This Business Handbook also provides valuable economic information on Belgium and Luxembourg in the Arabic language.

Last but not least it is meant to reach a target audience of more than 10,000 people, be they trade officials or stakeholders, in Belgium, Luxembourg, and 22 Arab countries.

To consult the online version: click here

EU engagement with Jordan

13 April 2016

The Secretary General of the ABLCC met with H.E Dr. Yousef Batayneh, Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, in order to discuss ways to strengthen relations between Jordan and the European Union in the context of the new association agreement and the simplified rules of origin.

8th EBBA visit to Brussels

09 May 2016

For the eighth consecutive year, the Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with BECI, Europe Enterprise Network (EEN), and the Embassy of Egypt in Brussels, received a delegation of Egyptian-Belgian Business men (EBBA) on Monday 9 May, 2016, in BECI headquarters.

In this year’s edition, around 30 Egyptian Businessmen and more than twenty Belgian companies took part in an afternoon of B2B Business Networking, which offered a great opportunity for the various participants to meet potential cooperation and business partners.

Likewise, on the occasion of the visit of the Egyptian business delegation, Brussels Invest and Export held an Economic Forum entitled “Business opportunities in Egypt, the number one partner of Belgium in Southern Mediterranean”, in the house of the Region followed by a networking lunch.

Mr. Qaisar Hijazin, Secretary General of the ABLCC, was glad to moderate the panel discussion on economic relations between Belgium and Egypt and business opportunities in Egypt with:

• H.E. Cécile Jodogne - Secretary of State for Foreign Trade & Investment for the Brussels-Capital Region
• H.E. Ehab Fawzy - Ambassador of Egypt to Belgium and the EC: The Egyptian Belgian Business relations, a stability despite all
• Mr. Mohamed Youssef - GAFI (General Authority for Investment and Free Zones): Business opportunities in Egypt
• Mr. Rafik Attia - Chairman of EBBA (Egyptian Belgian Business Association): Egyptian Belgian cooperation from a business perspective

We hope to continue this excellent cooperation in the coming years and we are looking forward to welcoming the EBBA delegation again next year!

Should you have any comment and/or suggestion about this annual event, do not hesitate to send us an email @ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

A Wind of Economic Renewal within Arab Countries: “The case of Tunisia: understanding the challenges and opportunities”

24 May 2016

The seminar “A Wind of Economic Renewal within Arab Countries: The case of Tunisia - understanding the challenges and opportunities”, jointly organized by the Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce and FIPA Tunisia for the Benelux, with the support of the Embassy of Tunisia in Brussels, on 24 May, 2016, was appreciated by all the participants who numbered around 100. This Seminar was held in BNP Paribas Fortis beautiful premises which were kindly made available for the whole day.

On this occasion, we had the immense privilege to welcome as our guests of honour, H.E. Mr. Ridha Ben Mosbah, Minister and Economic Advisor to the Tunisian government, and H.E. Mrs. Cécile Jodogne, Brussels’ Secretary of State for Foreign Trade.

The attendance of both Ministers to the seminar is clear evidence of their commitment to further deepening bilateral relations between our two countries.

After a welcome note by Mr. Andre Deltenre, Head of Cash Management & Trade Finance for BNP Paribas Fortis, Mr. Qaisar Hijazin, Secretary of General of Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce and H.E. Mr. Tahar Cherif, Ambassador of Tunisia to the Kingdom of Belgium, we had the pleasure to listen to Their Excellencies Ben Mosbah and Jodogne.

Afterwards, Mr. Frederic Du Bois, Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy of Belgium in Tunisia, Mr. Enzo Helou, Manager, Business Development, European Bank For Reconstruction and Development, and Mr. Bruno Denis, Head of Division, Public Sector/South, Neighbouring Countries Department, European Investment Bank, shared their presentations and experience with the audience.

A Wind of Economic Renewal within Arab Countries: the case of Tunisia… Tunisia’s economy has suffered in recent months in part because of a significant drop in tourism. However, the government is strongly focusing on bringing growth back on track and making Tunisia a safe destination for foreign trade and investment. Key economic reforms are first on its agenda to improve the business climate.

Through this event, the Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce wished to express its support for closer cooperation between Belgium and Tunisia through trade. Indeed, Belgium and Tunisia already enjoy a deep friendship, and we believe that trade is one avenue to deepen the connections between them.

To bring to a close this interesting seminar, the participants had the opportunity to establish contacts during a networking cocktail where they could exchange with Tunisian officials and companies.

Qatar – Belgium Business Forum: “A Smart Partnership: Expanding Cooperation in Key Areas”

25 May 2016

On the Occasion of the visit of H.E. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Jassim Al Thani, Minister of Economy and Trade of the State of Qatar, with an Economic and Business Delegation of CEO, to the Kingdom of Belgium, the Embassy of the State of Qatar and the Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce (ABLCC), in collaboration with the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and regional foreign trade agencies (AWEX, FIT, BIE), were delighted to organize a Business Forum on Wednesday, 25 May, 2016, from 9.00 am to 12.00 pm, at Hotel Steigenberger.

The event, which attracted over 150 people, was a roaring success and we were delighted to welcome such a great number of participants!

Behind this considerable success lies the fact that 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 share their experience and know-how to its growing market.

After a welcome address by Mr. Johan Beerlandt, Chairman of the ABLCC and CEO of BESIX, and H.E. Sheikh Ali Bin Jassim AL THANI, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Kingdom of Belgium, we had the pleasure to listen H.E. Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani, Qatari Minister of Economy and Trade, H.E. Mr. Pieter de Crem, Belgian Secretary of State for Foreign trade, and Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman of Qatari Businessmen Association.

In his introductory speech, H.E. Sheikh Ali Bin Jassim AL THANI pointed out that this business forum was a perfect follow up to the large economic delegation led by Princess Astrid of Belgium to Qatar last year.

Likewise, H.E.M. Pieter de Crem highlighted the fact that subsequently to the Belgian Princely Mission to the State of Qatar in March 2015, “our bilateral trade volume has substantially increased in 2015 to reach almost 1.5 billion EUR. The Belgian exports increased by 56% to reach 318 million EUR while the Qatari exports grew by 17% to reach 1.127 billion EUR. The economic mission has no doubt contributed to it.” "Our cooperation has already developed in all the sectors of the ambitious Qatar National Vision of 2030," he added.

In his speech, H.E. Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani pointed up that by now there are 61 Belgian companies operating in the State of Qatar. His Excellency also mentioned Qatar's National Economic Vision 2030 intended to guide economic, human and environmental development of the country and reduce dependence on oil and gas.

The main subject of the Forum “A Smart Partnership: Expanding Cooperation in Key Areas” was addressed in three plenary sessions:

Session I: Public Investment for World Cup 2022 + other Major Projects: challenges and opportunities for Qatari-Belgian Cooperation

• HE Mr. Nasser Ali Almawlawi, CEO, Public Works Authority
• HE Mr. Abdullah Bin Abdelaziz Alsbii, CEO, Qatar Rail
• Mr. Youssed Al Moslih, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy

Session II: Investment funds and investment opportunities

• Mr. Kamal Naji, CEO for Strategy & Business Development, Qatar Financial Centre
• Mr. Ahmed Albouinin, Business Development Director, Katara Hospitality
• Mr. Mohammad Al Malki, Manateq (Economic Zones Company)
• Mr. Fathi Abdelati, Qatar Airways
• Sheikh Turki Bin Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani, President of the Belgian Business Club in Qatar

Session III: Challenges in the Energy Sector - business opportunities, joint investments and cooperation in research, development and innovation

• Mr. Ali Abdallah Salat, Ministry of Energy & Industry
• Mr. Abdennasser Al Ansari, Deputy Executive Director, Qatar National Research Fund
• Mr. Ali Manie Al Ahbabi, Business Development Director, Nebras Power

The Forum was an efficient way to shedding light on the various investment opportunities offered by the fastest growing economy in the Gulf region. It also offered the participants the opportunity to establish multiple contacts outside the meeting room as well as during the business lunch hosted by the Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce and the Embassy of the state of Qatar.