Wallonia's Welcome Offices

WALLONIA’S WELCOME OFFICES

EXPORT INVESTMENT THE HEART OF EUROPE Wallonia - Belgium, economic and cultural crossroads at the very heart of Europe

WALLONIA-Belgium is located in the immediate vicinity of Western Europe’s major cities and in the heart of the most important distribution area in Northern Europe. Only a few hours away from Paris, Strasbourg, London, Amsterdam, The Hague, Luxembourg, Cologne, Frankfurt, Munich and Geneva, Wallonia-Belgium is directly linked to the most important decision-making centres in Europe.

Wallonia also provides a direct link to the sea ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam. Its exceptional geographical position, transport, and communication network with state-of-the-art multimodal facilities give Wallonia a great potential to increase your profits. A qualified, hardworking and multilingual workforce, and the readily available industrial and logistics parks, allow very low investment and operating costs. Symbols of innovation and competitiveness, the universities and research centres in the region, also provide significant added value in the logistics supply chains.

With many entertainment opportunities, highly regarded gastronomy, tourism opportunities, and the high quality of life in the historical centre of Europe, Wallonia is the best place for distributing products within the European market.

Amsterdam London Brussels Namur Frankfurt Paris Wallonia-Belgium, Qualified workforce Serving innovation economic and Wallonia-Belgium has Wallonia-Belgium, with cultural crossroads developed an extended, its nine university centres at the very heart of high-performance network housing 300 research facilities of colleges, universities and 11,000 researchers, is Europe and graduate schools. internationally recognized for • Belgium ranks #1 for logistic The training meets market being innovative and research investments & distribution requirements and a large driven. This region has in Europe (2009 Cushman & majority of graduates are able received of 6 Nobel Prizes. Wakefield’s survey) to secure employment right Original, creative, technology- • The most developed and out of school. Businesses intensive, and good value for secure road network in the benefit from a hard-working money, Wallonia’s expertly world (lighting, safety, toll- workforce: productivity is 20% designed and manufactured free) higher than the European goods compete with the • 500 million consumers average. world’s best products, and within a 4-hour drive (65 % productivity is amongst the of the European market) highest in the world. • 2 international and cargo airports (accessible 24 The information and hours a day, 7 days a week, communication technologies European hub of worldwide market is growing by 10% express integrator TNT) a year and is supported by • Host of the EURO-CAREX 2,500 graduates. platform (Cargo High Speed Train in Northern Europe) • Liège : third largest river port on the European continent directly connected to Europe’s major seaports • 11 multimodal logistics platforms • 224 business, industrial and science parks

Location London Amsterdam Paris Frankfurt Luxembourg Cologne Düsseldorf Rotterdam Brussels Lille Distance 350 km 282 km 243 km 436 km 210 km 247 km 261 km 228 km 69 km 78 km Time 4h20 2h55 2h40 4h20 2h50 2h35 2h45 2h20 0h50 0h55 BUSINESS - AT THE HEART OF WALLONIA’S STRATEGY Wallonia’s Business and Competitiveness Clusters

The Wallonia Cluster Policy is based on two organisational structures: Business Clusters and Competitiveness Clusters. These are complementary tools forming part of a government policy focusing on creating the right conditions to develop clusters in Wallonia. Whereas Business Clusters are funded to develop an economic drive, Competitiveness Clusters are mainly supported within the framework of the Marshall Plan to implement investment, R&D and training projects, in line with their competitive positioning strategy. Both types of clusters are intended to promote innovation with regard to industrial, commercial and technological partnerships. Wallonia’s Business and Competitiveness Clusters incorporate 13 Industry and Business Networks:

Competitiveness MECATECH : this Mechanical Business Clusters: Engineering cluster has clusters: defined 4 strategic lines of • CAP 2020 (Building industry) LOGISTICS IN WALLONIA: development: • ECO-CONSTRUCTION the Transportation and • Materials and surfaces of the (Green building) Logistics cluster was created to future; • INFOPOLE (ICT) promote Wallonia’s transport • Comprehensive forming • CLUSTER PHOTONIQUE and logistics sector both technologies; (Photonics) within the country and abroad, • Microtechnologies and • PLASTIWIN (Plastics by coordinating activities, mechatronics; industry) defining a common strategy • Intelligent maintenance. • TWEED (Technology and optimizing human and www.polemecatech.be of Wallonia, energy, technological resources. environment and sustainable energy) www.logisticsinwallonia.be WAGRALIM: the Agro- • TWIST (Cinema and digital industry cluster’s object is media) SKYWIN: the Aerospace cluster to improve the competition http://clusters.wallonie.be established a sound strategy in between companies in the order to face the technological food industry and boost challenges that are currently business and employment in ICT Platform required. It aims to develop the sector, through different As a specific sector and global technological niches for the strategic development areas development framework for future, diversifying and creating such as health food, industrial all other sectors of our society, new companies, and meeting efficiency, packaging or ICT requires an integrated market demands in terms of development of sustainable approach in a real cross- yet lighter components or networks in the agro-industry. ICT platform for Wallonia. increased performance in the www.wagralim.be A place of integration, structures, without forgetting convergence and online to minimize its ecological GREENWIN: Environment distribution, this platform footprint. and Sustainable Development is powered by the AWT www.skywin.be is covered by GreenWin, (Wallonia Telecommunications aiming at innovation in green Agency), and provides digital BIOWIN: this Health cluster chemistry and sustainable governance and a strategic unites all stakeholders from materials (including their vision for ICT in Wallonia. This Wallonia participating in applications in zero or near platform is also a partnership innovation and training in the zero energy buildings). of various public and private field of biotechnology and www.greenwin.be ICT actors in Wallonia (ICT health. R&D efforts, supported Cluster, TWIST Cluster , Cetic, by the cluster, cover all fields professional federations, ...). related to health, divided into 8 More on www.awt.be technological themes. www.biowin.org WELCOME TO WALLONIA

The Wallonia Export-Investment Agency (AWEX) facilitates collaboration between the Science Parks of Wallonia (SPOW) and technological firms. Numerous agreements have been negotiated between private partners and public bodies.

AWEX offers companies the opportunity to test the European market from a new WELCOME OFFICE dedicated to companies wishing to expand in Western Europe.

Brand new offices and personalized services are available FREE of charge (excluding telecommunications costs) to companies from the Indian subcontinent who can devote themselves exclusively, at very low cost, to the growth of their business - and all this from a base in Belgium, enabling exceptional ease of travel to all major European cities.

”The choice of La Louvière for our new European distribution center was mainly inspired by the logistical options, the intersection of a number of major highways and the proximity of the airport of Charleroi. Moreover, we have an excellent relationship with the Wallonia Export-Investment Agency, on whose support we have always been able to count throughout this entire project.”

Tom HEYMAN, CEO of Janssen Pharmaceutica (Johnson & Johnson group)

“ AWEX has provided great support since the early days of our company. They have functioned as a genuine partner and a facilitating agency, not only by giving us free office space, but also by introducing us to new partners and potential clients. We really appreciate their professional yet customised approach towards new companies.” Mr. Surinder KUMAR, Owner, LED Concepts & Design Pvt. Ltd. Personalised service All types of services Connections (free of charge) The Wallonia Export- throughout Europe • An expert who speaks your Investment Agency (Awex), in In addition: language (on demand) partnership with the Science • The dissemination of • Assistance in understanding Parks of Wallonia (SPOW), information with a the language and culture provides: technological advantage • Advice with practical and • A specialized office for to companies operating in logistical matters (visas, companies to launch their science parks travel permits, accreditation, activities in Europe • The promotion of legal issues, everyday • Scientific and economic technology transfers issues…) “incubators” between research and • Administrative assistance • Ultra-modern telecom industry, with many with initial prospect services (Internet access, European partners identification in the optic fibres, ADSL/SDSL, • Lively technological activity European market (e.g. video-conferencing…) between companies market studies) • Hi-tech business centres (networking with innovative • Introductions to leading equipped to welcome businesses at European European professionals in companies and facilitate level, creating opportunities your industry expansion for technological exchanges • Access to the trade offices • Specialized sector-specific between players from of Wallonia in Europe offices (Aerospace, Life industry and/or research) (more than 50 offices in the sciences, Agro-food, • Access to EUROPEAN capitals and major European Mechanical Engineering...) RESEARCH PROGRAMS cities) for supporting start-ups through experts directly • Training and financial connected to the relevant support to create your own departments of the distribution centre in the European Commission in heart of Europe Brussels. SUPPORT FROM BELGIAN PUBLIC AGENCIES

Wallonia Export-lnvestment agency (AWEX) is the one stop shop for all prospective foreign investors wanting to locate in Wallonia. We are committed to helping foreign companies launch their activities successfully and integrating them into European Economic Networks.

We offer foreign companies links to local authorities, universities and technological partners thanks to special relationships with local Economic Development Agencies and the Science Parks of Wallonia.

Alongside this initial “kick start”, we also organize meetings with experts from various federal and regional departments, and guide you through the relevant administrative steps.

As a foreign trade agency, AWEX’s mission is to provide promotional and export support for the benefit of both Wallonia and the foreign business community.

Our team of specialized multilingual advisors will assist you personally from the feasibility study through to the realization of your investment and export strategy. Our experts will be pleased to help at every stage of your activities. Investment support Export support and Technological OUR MISSION is to provide incentives support invaluable advice and guide Foreign companies choosing • Business plans: assessment you through the following Wallonia as their European hub of the viability of the projects phases: to distribute products within business plan on a technical, • Search for available sites (land) European markets can benefit commercial and financial and buildings from export-oriented services basis • Assistance with incorporating such as: • Research funding: preparing for the fundraiser your company (access to • General and commercial • Access to public incentives: venture capital, legal and information on European analysis and personalized logistics support) and foreign markets (AWEX action of available public • Advice and assistance in the has more than 50 offices in support search for suitable human Europe) • Advice for Patent income resources (including initiation • Organization and planning deduction, deduction for and training programs) of marketing activities investments in R&D centres • Assistance to obtain grants (international trade shows, and patents (direct grant of provided by regional and economic missions, sector- up to 70% of intervention for European authorities. based contact days…) an SME if innovative quality of Depending on the proposed • Establishing contacts with the project is satisfactory and location, the combined business federations and expected results are generated subsidy from both regional international organizations within the region) and EU sources can amount • Financial support and export to as much as 50% of the total financing investment • Training in international careers • Assistance with understanding and free traineeships and benefitting from Effective tax rates - Expatriate regime (unique in Europe) - Fiscal ruling (prior agreement with the Fiscal Administration on corporation tax rate) - Holding company Fiscal regime – Fiscal immunization regime - Real- estate tax exemption and Notional interest deduction tool (unique in Europe) LIVING IN WALLONIA

Wallonia has plenty of attractive assets. Harmoniously alternating between rural and urban areas, cities and villages, Wallonia is a region full of charm in many respects: hospitality, a love of fun, age old traditions, architectural masterpieces which are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites, legendary gastronomy, a welcoming atmosphere, relaxation, and much more.

But beyond its evident charms that draw hundreds of thousands of tourists each year, Wallonia is also an area for quality living, where spacious accommodation and accessible schools are easy to find, and where people benefit from a remarkable health and social protection system. LIFESTYLE EDUCATION AND HIGH-QUALITY Wallonia has much to offer SCHOOLS HEALTHCARE in terms of what there is to Wallonia has a good quality and Belgium takes pride in its enjoy in life. Its landscapes diversified education system. healthcare network, one of are a harmonious patchwork There are many alternatives the most modern and efficient of the rural and the urban, of for parents when choosing a in the world. It comes top in towns and peaceful villages. nursery, primary or secondary the ranking of countries with Wallonia’s personality can be school, including local, European medical infrastructures that summed up by its friendliness, and international schools. meet the needs of its inhabitants its positive outlook, its centuries- (IMD World Competitiveness old folklore and its architectural Education is both formal Yearbook 2013). jewels, recognized as UNESCO and free in Belgium. While World Heritage sites. Last but kindergartens welcome children For employees and the self- not least, its legendary culinary from the age of 21/2, compulsory employed, Health insurance is tradition and sense of hospitality education includes primary and part of the compulsory social and relaxation make Wallonia a secondary schools for children security contributions, which warm and welcoming region. from 6 to 18 years old. makes it almost free and of a very high standard. If you are staying in Belgium for a short-term assignment, You are also required to take out ACCOMMODATION most expat families send their the private health insurance of children to the local public your choice, which will ensure A complete overview of the school or to an international the partial or total refund of accommodation available to school where English is one of medical care and the purchase rent and buy is frequently the main teaching languages. In of certain medications. published in various newspapers both cases, French classes will and on the Internet. be offered. Several specialized agencies Finally, the higher education can also advise on and guide network of the Walloon you through the options, and community includes universities find your ideal accommodation ranking among the world’s best according to your needs, institutions, with nearly 20% of location preferences and foreign student enrolment. budget. WALLONIA WELCOME OFFICES You are at home in the very heart of Europe…

CHINA WELCOME OFFICE Haichen WANG – Welcome Office Manager (Mob.) +32 498 11 41 66 [email protected]

INDIAN SUBCONTINENT WELCOME OFFICE Joachim GALAND – Welcome Office Deputy Manager (Mob.) +32 485 344 120 [email protected]

LATINAM WELCOME OFFICE Marina SILVA SANTOS - Welcome Office Manager (Mob.) +32 490 11 26 38 [email protected]

EUROPEAN PRIORITY MARKETS WELCOME OFFICE Eric DE CLERCQ – Welcome Office Manager (Mob.) +32 479 74 75 52 [email protected]

ASEAN WELCOME OFFICE Dimitri DUONG– Welcome Office Manager (Mob.) +32 473 64 69 30 [email protected]

NORTH AMERICA & CLEANTECH WELCOME OFFICE Philippe WANDERPEPEN - Welcome Office Manager (Mob.) +32 492 72 43 59 [email protected]