Trade Flows & Cultural News

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Trade Flows & Cultural News Toegelaten gesloten verpakking: genT x 03/50 België - Belgique P.B. gent x 3/1294 P 409556 Trade Flows & Cultural News Number 87 - June 2010 editorial Cherry trees in spring, Embassy in the garden, Blossoming friendship By H.E. Steven Vanackere, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dear readers, It was with great pleasure that I accepted to write even the most violent earthquakes. In my opinion, the foreword to the June issue of the BJA magazine this entails some promising symbolism: our two H.E. Steven Vanackere Trade Flows and Cultural Newsletter for I consider countries have in some respects developed similar the Belgium-Japan Association & Chamber of Com- socio-economic features and they both will have to In this issue merce as an important pillar of the Japan-Belgium find ways to adjust to the miscellaneous challenges relations. BJA offers Japanese and Belgian com- facing them in an ever accelerating pace, and try to 2 Press Conference and Business Luncheon panies the best possible platform to meet and ex- learn from each other how to turn these into oppor- 3 Business Seminar: Belgium change views on various topics. It also gives the tunities. This inspired me to pronounce the follow- and its neighbours opportunity to discover the Belgian way of life in a ing haiku poem at the opening ceremony: “Cherry 4 Exclusive visit to the leisurely way. trees in spring, Embassy in the garden, Blossoming D’Ieteren Gallery 5 BJA Annual General Assembly friendship”. 6 Pre-opening visit to the As you all probably know, Prime Minister Yves Le- Château de Beloeil terme and I recently visited Japan. I had the op- Rest assured that I consider BJA as part of this 7 Friendship Committee News portunity to meet H.E. Katsuya Okada, Minister for blossoming friendship. I would particularly like to 9 Interview - Mr Kamiya Masayuki Foreign Affairs of Japan, while the Prime Minister highlight the time and energy dedicated to prepare 10 Inauguration of the Belgian was received by his Japanese counterpart, Mr Yukio and finalize the excellent brochure “Belgium and Embassy in Tokyo Hatoyama. Both meetings were very cordial, which its neighbours’ business climates compared”. At 12 Facts & Figures on Japan: is a pretty strong testament to the friendship be- its presentation, first in Brussels and subsequently Saitama Prefecture 13 EU-Japan News tween both countries. I also witnessed first-hand in Tokyo, which I personally addressed, the audi- 15 News for the members the strength and potentialities of various Japanese ence viewed this well-argued and neatly conceived 16 News from the members companies and I am therefore convinced that Japan brochure as a token of confidence for investing in 20 Encounters with passion is still the driving force behind innovation in Asia. Belgium. I do wish to express my appreciation to all 22 Personalia My meetings in Tokyo and Nagoya with Japanese Japanese companies operating in Belgium. Not only business leaders gave me furthermore a good in- because the Belgians do appreciate their activities sight on the strategic approach towards growth in Belgium, but also because the high standards Advertising rates markets worldwide. It also provided me with addi- they set to production and services are widely seen tional Japanese views on how the strategic coop- as a lasting guarantee of quality. I know that there 4 issues (March, June, Sep- eration with European economies will be tackled in are still some administrative barriers that have to tember & December) the future. be removed. Rest assured that, together with the 1 page .................... € 3.500 other Belgian administrative authorities, the Minis- 1/2 page ................ € 1.600 The festive inauguration of the new Embassy of try of Foreign Affairs is doing its very best in order to Belgium in Tokyo on 8 April will certainly be re- simplify present requirements. contact: BJA Office membered as a milestone in our bilateral relations. avenue Louise 287, box 7 Inspired by the Japanese architect Noriake Okabe, I wish BJA much success! 1050 Brussels the whole building was erected with state of the art technologies. I was very impressed by the hydrau- [email protected] lic systems enabling the whole building to resist T 02/644 14 05 F 02/644 23 60 Resp. editor: A. Kellens - 287, avenue Louise bte 7 - 1050 Brussels - T +32 (0)2 644 13 33 F +32 (0)2 644 23 60 e [email protected] BJA quarterly newsletter / driemaandelijks tijdschrift (maart - juni - september - december) - Afgiftekantoor: gent x We currently hold your contact details on our Trade Flows & Cultural News Database. We use this information for our own internal purposes only in order to send you this Trade Flows & Cultural Newsletter. If any of your details are incorrect or if you no longer wish to receive this publication, please inform us by e-mail at [email protected] www.bja.be Bj141_TFjuni10.indd 1 18/05/10 16:47 bja report Press Conference and Business Luncheon for the official release of a new publication 「ベルギーと周辺国の投資環境の比較」出版記念プレス・コンファレンスと昼食会開催 Tuesday 2 February 2010, Hotel Metropole Mr Masatomo Nomura, Director of KPMG and Chairman of BJA Invest- Mr Thomas Leysen, Chairman of Umicore and President of BJA (left to right) Mr Koichi Nakamura, President & Managing Director of ment Committee, is presenting the newly published booklet, ‘Belgium welcomes Minister Mitsugu Saito, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of Japanese Kaneka Belgium and a Member of BJA Board of Directors, shares his view and Its Neighbours’ Business Climates Compared’. Embassy of Belgium to the Business Luncheon. with H.E. Mr Yves Leterme, Prime Minister of Belgium, and Mr Thomas Leysen, Chairman of Umicore and President of BJA. On Tuesday 2 Febru- business environment in Belgium and the sur- ary 2010, the Invest- rounding countries. Following the presenta- ment Committee of tion, Mr Akihito Fujita, Director of F.P.N.I. Bel- the Belgium-Japan As- gium (Ariake) gave a thorough overview on how sociation and Cham- F.P.N.I. Belgium has come to invest in Belgium. ber of Commerce (BJA) Following some active Q & A, the participants had the pleasure in enjoyed a cocktail while continuing to exchange holding a press con- comments on the ‘studies of studies’ which has ference and business brought Belgium as a leading destination in Eu- luncheon for the offi- rope for inward investment. cial press release of a new publication, Mr Thomas Leysen, President of BJA and Chair- (left to right) Mr Akihito Fujita, Director of F.P.N.I. Belgium, enjoys having an man of Umicore greeted the participants to the H.E. Mr Yves Leterme, Prime Minis- extensive conversation with Mr John Verzeele, Director Inward Investment ter of Belgium gives a speech during Asia of Flanders Investment & Trade, and Mr Van den Broeck, Senior Advi- business luncheon where H.E. Mr Yves Leterme, the Business Luncheon. sor of Port of Antwerp. Prime Minister of Belgium, addressed the audience with his sincere high hope for the increase of foreign direct invest- “Belgium and Its Neighbours’ Business Climates Compared”. ments especially from Japan to Belgium in the future. There- after, Mr Mitsugu Saito, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Japanese The press conference started with a welcoming speech by Mr Embassy in Belgium showed his gratitude toward the Belgians Masatomo Nomura, Chairman of the BJA Investment Com- for their warm acceptance and support for Japanese investors mittee and Director of KPMG, who subsequently presented to its promising country. an outline of the brochure which covers a comparison of the 2 Bj141_TFjuni10.indd 2 18/05/10 16:47 bja report Business Seminar “Belgium and its Neighbours’ Business Climates Compared” ビジネスセミナー「ベルギーと周辺国の投資環境の比較」 Thursday 8 April 2010, Tokyo At the occasion of the official opening of the new Embassy of Belgium compound in Tokyo, the Deputy-Prime Minister & Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Steven Vanackere, convened a business seminar on 8 April. Masatomo Nomura, Director of KPMG and the Chairman of the Investment Committee of BJA, gave the key note address on the comparison of business envi- ronments. The seminar attracted 115 delegates from Japanese companies and governmental organisations. It was a repetition of the success of the press conference and luncheon on 2 Feb- ruary, in which the Prime Minister H.E. Yves Leterme joined. The seminar started with an opening remark of Thomas Ley- sen, Chairman of Umicore and BJA President. The Deputy Deputy-Prime Minister then delivered his speech before the presentation by Masatomo Nomura. And the winner is…. A very lively Q&A session followed the presentation. The ques- tions focused on public security and the Notional Interest De- In the framework of the publication “Belgium and its duction. neighbours business climate compared”, a competi- tion was set up for a design, drawing or graphic – for According to the comments by one of the participants after the the front cover and the back cover of the publication. seminar, it is true that Belgium is drawing more and more at- tention as one of the most attractive strategic investment des- The winning design would be used in the publica- tinations in Europe. tion. The prize of the winner was a return flight ticket to Japan, by the courtesy of ANA. The key note speech, which was aimed at Japanese companies considering European locations, provided an overview of busi- We are very pleased to announce that the winner of the ness environments through objective sources such as OECD competition was Mr Shawn Cooper. and World Bank in four areas; global attractiveness, head- quarters and holding companies, logistics and R&D. It was We nevertheless thank all the other competitors for all based on our recent publication “Belgium and its Neighbours’ their creative works! Business Climates Compared”.
Recommended publications
  • Responsive Public Management
    Responsive Public Management IGPDE /Research Office Public Management Monitoring News - No. 42 - February 2012 Belgium The Di Rupo Government: State and public management reforms A new government and a focus on budgetary consolidation On 6 December 2011, after a year and a half of negotiations, a new Belgian coalition government was sworn in. It consists of twelve ministers1 and six ministers of State, under the leadership of the French-speaking Socialist Elio Di Rupo. The ministerial posts are divided between six political parties, including social democrats, Christian democrats and liberals from both the French- and Dutch-speaking communities. The government does not include the major winner in the June 2010 elections, the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), because it withdrew from the talks. The civil service, which had previously been managed by a specific Federal Public Service (FPS)2, is now the responsibility of the Minister of State for the Civil Service and the Modernisation of Public Services (Hendrik Bogaert), attached to the Minister of Finance and Sustainable Development (Steven Vanackere). Administrative simplification is now the purview of Olivier Chastel, Minister for the Budget. Budgetary restraint is a pressing issue. In its proposed policy statement of 1 December 2011, the government made putting public finances back on a sound footing a top priority3. Even before the vote on the 2012 budget took place, an initial budget review was scheduled for the end of February4. This was triggered by a likely downward revision of growth forecasts and an ongoing Excessive Deficit Procedure initiated by the European Commission5, which requested that certain expenditures be suspended pending the corresponding budget adjustments.
    [Show full text]
  • New Embassy of Belgium in Japan Opens Belgium, Japan Grow Strong
    6 THE JAPAN TIMES THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2010 (3) Belgian prime minister’s visit Belgium, Japan grow New Embassy of Belgium in Japan opens The Embassy of Belgium is two or perhaps three genera- Belgium’s political and diplo- celebrating the opening of its tions of Japanese and Belgian matic representation in Ja- strong from their people new embassy building in To- friends of all walks of life. Its pan. Therefore, the tearing kyo on April 8 with an official excellent location at the heart down of the premises became ceremony followed by a recep- of the quiet Chiyoda Ward, at unavoidable. Yves Leterme central location in the European tion in the presence of Yves a walking distance from the In 2006, the Belgian govern- PRIME MINISTER OF BELGIUM Union, a market of half a billion Leterme, prime minister of Imperial Palace, played an ment launched a public tender --------------------------------------- people; and the presence in our Belgium, and Steven Vanack- important role in making it an procedure to select a candi- If the possession of rich natural capital of the European ere, deputy prime minister attractive place for homely date to buy a part of the em- resources was a condition for institutions. Our relatively cheap and minister of foreign affairs get-togethers. During those bassy grounds and to build an national wealth, Japan and rents come as an added bonus. of Belgium. occasions, shape and content embassy complex on the re- Belgium would be poor I am very glad that many After two years of construc- have been given to the very maining land.
    [Show full text]
  • United States of America
    Belgian Economic Mission to the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 22-30 June 2011 Belgian Economic Mission to the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Organised by the regional institutions for Foreign Trade (Brussels Export – Invest in Brussels, Flanders Investment & Trade – FIT, the Wallonia Foreign Trade and Investment Agency – AWEX), FPS Foreign Affairs and the Belgian Foreign Trade Agency. 22 - 30 June 2011 1 2 3 BELGIAN ECONOMIC MISSIONS CALENDAR 2011-2012 2011 RUSSIA April 3 - 8 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA June 22 - 30 CHINA October 19 - 29 CHILE & PERU November 19 - 25 2012 VIETNAM March 10 - 16 JAPAN June 2 - 8 TURKEY October 14 - 19 AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND November 18 - 28 (The dates are subject to change) 2 3 HRH PRINCE PHILIPPE OF BELGIUM 4 5 HRH Prince Philippe was born on April 15, The Prince holds an Honorary Doctorate from The Prince is keenly interested in the situation 1960, in Brussels, Belgium, as the first child the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (2002). of young people and their integration in the of HM King Albert II and HM Queen Paola. society of tomorrow. He regularly visits schools He is first in line for succession to the throne As a result of his increasing number of com- and universities, but also closely follows such of Belgium and, as such, bears the title of mitments, the “Household of Prince Philippe” important social issues as unemployment and Duke of Brabant. was created in 1992. the struggle against poverty and exclusion. On December 4, 1999, the Prince married On August 6, 1993, by government decree, In May 1997, Prince Philippe was appointed Miss Mathilde d’Udekem d’Acoz.
    [Show full text]
  • “BELGIUM” New Development, Trends and In-Depth Information on Selected Issues
    BELGIAN MONITORING CENTRE FOR DRUGS AND DRUG ADDICTION Scientific Institute of Public Health OD Public health and Surveillance 2012 NATIONAL REPORT (2011 DATA ) TO THE EMCDDA BY THE REITOX NATIONAL FOCAL POINT “BELGIUM” New Development, Trends and in-depth information on selected issues REITOX Belgian national report on drugs 2012 OD Public Health and Surveillance, Scientific Institute of Public Health, October 2011, Brussels, Belgium WIV-ISP/EPI REPORTS Belgian national report on drugs 2012 Els Plettinckx Jerome Antoine Kaatje Bollaerts Peter Blanckaert Johan C.H. van Bussel EMCDDA Management Board Mr. Claude GILLARD , Legal adviser, Head of the Department of criminal law, Direction Générale de la législation du Service Public Fédéral Justice Dr. Philippe DEMOULIN , Deputy Director General f.f., Administration de la Communauté française de Belgique EMCDDA Scientific Committee Prof. Dr. Brice DE RUYVER , Full Professor, Institute for International Research on Criminal Policy (IRCP), University of Ghent Ministers involved in the global and integrated drug policy in Belgium 2012 For the Federal State: Mr. Elio DI RUPO , Prime Minister. Mrs. Laurette ONKELINX , Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health and Social Affairs, in charge of Beleris and the Federal Cultural Institutions. Mme. Joelle MILQUET, Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of the interior and Equal Opportunities. Mr. Didier REYNDERS, Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and European Affairs. Mr. Steven VANACKERE , Vice-Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance and sustainable development, in charge of official affairs. Mr. Vincent VAN QUICKENBORNE , Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Pensions. Mr. Johan VANDE LANOTTE , Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Consumers and North Sea.
    [Show full text]
  • Zijne Excellentie De Heer Steven VANACKERE Minister Van Buitenlandse Zaken Karmelietenstraat 15 B - 1000 Brussel
    EUROPEAN COMMISSION Brussels, 15.07.2010 C(2010) 4913 PUBLIC VERSION WORKING LANGUAGE This document is made available for information purposes only. Subject: State aid No N 114/2010 – Belgium Financial start-up contribution for important programmes which improve the promotion and the development of Antwerp Airport Dear Sir, 1. PROCEDURE 1. In accordance with Article 108(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU)1, and by electronic notification dated 23 March 2010 (registered under reference SANI 4252) the Belgian authorities notified the Commission of their intention to put in place an aid scheme entitled "Financial start-up contribution for important programmes which improve the 1 With effect from 1 December 2009, Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty have become Articles 107 and 108, respectively, of the TFEU. The two sets of provisions are, in substance, identical. For the purposes of this decision, references to Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU should be understood as references to Articles 87 and 88, respectively, of the EC Treaty where appropriate. Zijne Excellentie de Heer Steven VANACKERE Minister van Buitenlandse Zaken Karmelietenstraat 15 B - 1000 Brussel Commission européenne, B-1049 Bruxelles – Belgique Europese Commissie, B-1049 Brussel – België Téléphone: 00 32 (0) 2 299.11.11. promotion and the development of Antwerp Airport". The European Commission acknowledged receipt of the notification by e-mail on the same date and this case was given the number N114/2010. 2. The Commission requested further information by letter of 28 April 2010. The Belgian authorities provided the requested information on 31 May 2010.
    [Show full text]
  • Gouvernement Herman Van Rompuy (30.12.2008 – 25.11.2009)
    Gouvernement fédéral Gouvernement Herman Van Rompuy (30.12.2008 – 25.11.2009) Pentapartite : CD&V / MR / PS / Open VLD / CDH Composition initiale (remaniement et composition finale : voir ci-dessous) 15 ministres et 7 secrétaires d’État Herman Van Rompuy , CD&V : Premier ministre Didier Reynders , MR : vice-Premier ministre, ministre des Finances et des Réformes institutionnelles Laurette Onkelinx , PS : vice-Première ministre, ministre des Affaires sociales et de la Santé publique Karel De Gucht , Open VLD : vice-Premier ministre, ministre des Affaires étrangères Steven Vanackere , CD&V : vice-Premier ministre, ministre de la Fonction publique, des Entreprises publiques et des Réformes institutionnelles Joëlle Milquet , CDH : vice-Première ministre, ministre de l’Emploi et de l’Égalité des chances Stefaan De Clerck , CD&V : ministre de la Justice Sabine Laruelle , MR : ministre des P.M.E., des Indépendants, de l’Agriculture et de la Politique scientifique Marie Arena , PS : ministre de l’Intégration sociale, des Pensions et des Grandes Villes Pieter De Crem , CD&V : ministre de la Défense Paul Magnette , PS : ministre du Climat et de l’Énergie Charles Michel , MR : ministre de la Coopération au développement Vincent Van Quickenborne , Open VLD : ministre pour l’Entreprise et la Simplification Annemie Turtelboom , Open VLD : ministre de la Politique de migration et d’asile Guido De Padt , Open VLD : ministre de l’Intérieur Etienne Schouppe , CD&V : secrétaire d’État à la Mobilité, adjoint au Premier ministre Carl Devlies , CD&V : secrétaire
    [Show full text]
  • INTERNATIONAL TRADE UNION CONFEDERATION (ITUC) SUMMARY REPORT: Trade Union Summit, October 1, 2010 Asia Europe People's Forum
    INTERNATIONAL TRADE UNION CONFEDERATION (ITUC) SUMMARY REPORT: Trade Union Summit, October 1, 2010 Asia Europe People’s Forum, 2-5 October, 2010 ASEM 8 Summit, 4-5 October, 2010 Introduction The Trade Union Summit was organised by ITUC, ETUC and their Belgian affiliates, CSC- ACV, FGTB-ABVV, and CGSLB- ACLVB. It took place in the International Trade Union House in Brussels on October 1 with a view to preparing the input of the trade unions to the ASEM8 Summit and the 8th Asia Europe People’s Forum (AEPF8). The People’s Forum was held in various locations in Brussels from the 2nd to the 5th of October. Moreover, on the morning of Monday 4 a limited delegation of trade union leaders and representatives met with the Belgian Prime Minister and host of the 2010 Asia Europe Meeting, Yves Leterme. 1. The Trade Union Summit, October 1, Brussels Trade Union session The Summit was attended by almost 30 Asian unionists and 40 Europeans, including Belgian unionists. In his welcoming speech Jaap Wienen (Deputy General Secretary of ITUC) stressed the importance of the Asia – Europe dialogues for building international cooperation and underlined the union priority to include the labour element in the discussions. He also spoke of the difficult circumstances created in both Europe and Asia by the effects of the financial and jobs crisis. In his speech, Joel Decaillon (Deputy Secretary General of ETUC) highlighted the pan-European demonstration day of September 29 and the gradual erosion of the European welfare state. He also argued that the core labour standards and decent work should be promoted through trade agreements, as well as in the context of the WTO and that adaptation and mitigation measures should be adopted in order to stop climate change.
    [Show full text]
  • 2010 (Pdf, 5.17
    kingdom of belgium Federal public service Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Activity Report 2010 CONTENTS Foreword by Mr Steven Vanackere, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs 1. Resources 1. Internal organisation of the FPS 7 Security examinations 7 EU Presidency 8 Digital communication 9 Renewed website 10 2. Personnel 12 Presidency sets new challenges 12 Number of staff employed 13 3. Buildings 14 Buildings abroad 14 Buildings in Brussels 14 4. Budget and financial resources 15 2. Serving the public 1. Protocol 17 Preferential rights and immunities 17 Foreign dignitaries and the security of diplomatic 18 missions Egmont Palace, Egmont Conference Centre and Val 20 Duchesse Chateau Nobility and honours 20 2. Consular affairs 21 Electronic identity cards (eID) for Belgians abroad 21 Biometric passports and visas 21 Deeds issued at missions 22 Databanks against illegal migration 22 European coordination in crisis situations 23 1 3. Crisis management 24 Alert in the world 24 B-FAST in action 25 Travel advice for 171 countries 26 Crisis files 26 Interest groups 26 4. Peacebuilding 27 Projects for a more peaceful world 27 3. Policy 1. Belgium in a bilateral context 29 Western Europe and North America 29 Central Asia and Eastern Europe 30 North Africa and the Middle East 31 Africa south of the Sahara 33 Europe and the African Union 35 South and East Asia, Oceania 35 Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC) 37 South-east Europe 38 Diplomacy and economy 40 International treaties 42 2. Belgium in the European Union 43 Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European 43 Union Implementation of the Treaty of Lisbon 45 EU’s economic strategy 47 Transposing Directives 48 Court of Justice of the European Union 51 3.
    [Show full text]
  • Belgium to the OSCE PA
    Member Directory The Delegation of Belgium to the OSCE PA Ms. Nahima Lanjri Head of Delegation Chair of Ad Hoc Committee on Migration Chambre des représentants de Belgique Palais de la Nation 1008 Bruxelles BELGIUM Telephone: +32 2 549 89 45 Fax: +32 2 549 85 46 Political Party Affiliation: Christian Democratic and Flemish Home District Antwerp Member of Parliament since 18 May 2003 Positions held in Parliament: MP, Member of a.o. the committee on Social Affairs Current positions in Parliament: Member of Parliament Educational background: Other information: Monday, July 2, 2018 Updated: 23-May-18 Member Directory The Delegation of Belgium to the OSCE PA Ms. Rita Bellens Member of Delegation Chambre des représentants de Belgique Palais de la Nation 1008 Bruxelles BELGIUM Telephone: +32 2 549 8975 Fax: +32 2 549 8690 Political Party Affiliation: New Flemish Alliance Home District Member of Parliament since Positions held in Parliament: Current positions in Parliament: Educational background: Other information: Monday, July 2, 2018 Updated: 11-Feb-15 Member Directory The Delegation of Belgium to the OSCE PA Mr. Stephane Crusniere Member of Delegation Chambre des représentants de Belgique Palais de la Nation 1008 Bruxelles BELGIUM Telephone: +32 2 549 9209 Fax: +32 2 549 8801 Political Party Affiliation: Socialist Party Home District Member of Parliament since Positions held in Parliament: Current positions in Parliament: Educational background: Other information: Monday, July 2, 2018 Updated: 11-Feb-15 Member Directory The Delegation of Belgium to the OSCE PA Mr. Peter De Roover Member of Delegation Chambre des représentants de Belgique Palais de la Nation 1008 Bruxelles BELGIUM Telephone: +32 2 549 8032 Fax: +32 2 549 8690 Political Party Affiliation: New Flemish Alliance Home District Member of Parliament since Positions held in Parliament: Current positions in Parliament: Educational background: Other information: Monday, July 2, 2018 Updated: 11-Feb-15 Member Directory The Delegation of Belgium to the OSCE PA Ms.
    [Show full text]
  • Russian Federation
    BELGIAN ECONOMIC MISSION TO THE Russian Federation 3-8 April 2011 The entire version of this brochure is also available on the website of the Belgian Foreign Trade Agency: www.abh-ace.be 1 Belgian ECONOMIC Mission TO THE Russian Federation Organised by the regional institutions for Foreign Trade (Brussels Export – Invest in Brussels, Flanders Investment & Trade – FIT, the Wallonia Foreign Trade and Investment Agency – AWEX), FPS Foreign Affairs and the Belgian Foreign Trade Agency. 3-8 April 2011 1 2 3 BELGIAN ECONOMIC MISSIONS Calendar 2011 RUSSIAN FEDERATION April 3 - 8 UNITED STATES June 22 - 30 CHINA October 20 - 29 CHILE & PERU November 19 - 25 (The dates are subject to change) 2 3 HRH PRINCE PHILIPPE OF BELGIUM 4 5 HRH Prince Philippe was born on 15 April The Prince holds an Honorary Doctorate of The Prince is keenly interested in the situa- 1960 in Brussels, Belgium, as first child of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (conferred tion of young people and their integration in HM King Albert II and HM Queen Paola. He in 2002). the society of tomorrow. He therefore visits is first in the line of succession to the throne schools and universities, but also follows of Belgium and, as such, he bears the title As a result of the increasing number of com- closely various social issues such as unem- of Duke of Brabant. mitments, the “Household of Prince Philippe” ployment and the struggle against poverty was created in 1992. and exclusion. On the 4th of December 1999, the Prince mar- On August 6, 1993, by Government deci- In May 1997, Prince Philippe was appointed ried Miss Mathilde d’Udekem d’Acoz.
    [Show full text]
  • R 111540Z Dec 09 Fm Amembassy Brussels To
    DE RUEHBS #1666/01 3451540 ZNY SSSSS ZZH (CCY-ADEB6B23-MSI9027-413) R 111540Z DEC 09 FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9802 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC ";"S E C R E T BRUSSELS 001666 C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (TEXT0 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/WE, ISN, S/GC, AND AF/C E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/09/2019 TAGS: PREL, PGOV, MARR, MNUC, BE, AF SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR BELGIAN DEFENSE MINISTER PIETER DE CREM´S DECEMBER 15-16 MEETINGS WITH SECDEF, DOS AND CONGRESS IN WASHINGTON REF: A. BRUSSELS 1498 B. BRUSSELS 1493 Classified By: Ambassador Howard Gutman, reason 1.4(b) and (d). 1. (C) Summary: Belgian Defense Minister Pieter De Crem has been in office since March 2008 and is one of the United States´ strongest friends in the Belgian government. Under his leadership, Belgium has returned its focus to NATO as the orienting factor in its defense policy. Now, Belgium is poised to take a leading role in Europe -- the former Prime Minister, Herman Van Rompuy, has just been named as the first European Council President under the new circumstances of the Lisbon Treaty, and the Belgian government is preparing itself to hold the rotating presidency of the EU Council for the six months beginning July 1, 2010. Embassy Brussels believes that properly motivated, Belgium and its government, including De Crem, can be leaders in mobilizing Europe to assist the United States in meeting two of the key challenges faced by the Transatlantic community -- Afghanistan and Guantanamo.
    [Show full text]
  • USA Honours Belgium
    USA honours Belgium Nr. 16 / May – June 2011 Belgium strengthens its ties with the USA At the end of June, Their Royal Highnesses Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde of Belgium led a Belgian economic mission to the USA. The objective was to highlight the extraordinary opportunities for investment, trade and innovation offered by Belgium’s dynamic economy. Over nine days, the delegation visited New York, Washington DC and Boston. Numerous seminars, visits and networking events were organised as part of this mission. For example, the Belgian delegation visited the headquarters of Johnson & Johnson and IBM. HRH Prince Philippe opened the Belgian pavilion at the International Biotechnology Industry Convention and presided over the signing of numerous cooperation agreements between Belgian and US companies or institutions, notably between: • 4DDynamics & Digital Signal Corporation • Septentrio & Altus & BMI/SBI • Van Hool & Coach USA • Press Club Brussels Europe & The National Press Club • Brewery Corsendonk & L Knife and Son • Brussels‐Capital Region & District of Columbia • Visit Brussels & Destination DC HRH Prince Philippe with James C. Greenwood, President and CEO of the Biotechnology Industry Organization. In addition to the purely economic aspects, the mission was also aimed at highlighting themes of a more social nature such as child literacy, the fight against cancer, poverty eradication, philanthropy and culture. It was in this context that HRH Princess Mathilde participated in events on microfinance and social entrepreneurship. The Princess visited a home run by the Little Sisters of the Poor and attended a meeting of the Council of Women World Leaders, during which she gave a very committed speech on combating violence against women.
    [Show full text]