ACTIVITY REPORT 2019 ACTIVITY REPORT 2019 ACTIVITY REPORT BESIX in 2019

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

ACTIVITY REPORT 2019 ACTIVITY REPORT 2019 ACTIVITY REPORT BESIX in 2019 ACTIVITY REPORT 2019 ACTIVITY REPORT 2019 ACTIVITY REPORT BESIX in 2019 EVOLUTION OF REVENUES EVOLUTION OF ORDER BOOK (IN MEUR) (IN MEUR) 3,332 4,763 4,794 2,542 2,359 2,337 2,160 3,229 2,930 3,031 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 REVENUES BY REGION ORDER BOOK BY REGION (2019) (AT 31/12/2019) 3,332 MEUR 4,794 MEUR BELGIUM 36% EUROPE 30% MIDDLE EAST 17% INTERNATIONAL 15% THE NETHERLANDS, MIDDLE EAST 18% LUXEMBOURG & FRANCE 12% AUSTRALIA 17% AUSTRALIA 28% REGIONAL CONTRACTORS 20% REST OF THE WORLD 7% REVENUES BY AREA OF EXPERTISE ORDER BOOK BY AREA (2019) OF EXPERTISE (AT 31/12/2019) 3,332 MEUR 4,794 MEUR BUILDINGS 65% BUILDINGS 58% CIVIL WORKS 16% CIVIL WORKS 28% MARINE WORKS 4% ENVIRONMENTAL WORKS 1% FOUNDATIONS 5% MARINE WORKS 7% ENVIRONMENTAL WORKS 2% FOUNDATIONS 1% OTHER (CABLING AND INFRA) 6% OTHER 5% QUARRIES / CONCRETE 2% DPG MEDIA, ANTWERP, BELGIUM Consolidated Key Figures 2019 (in MEUR) 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 INCOME STATEMENT Revenues 3,332.0 2,542.1 2,337.0 2,359.1 2,159.7 EBITDA 97.8 131.4 122.5 168.1 46.1 EBITDA margin (%) 2.9% 5.2 5.2 7.1 2.1 EBIT 22.0 83.7 78.9 117.8 0.4 EBIT margin (%) 0.7% 3.3 3.4 5.0 0.0 Earnings before taxes 48.1 103.2 115.5 135.0 15.4 Consolidated profit 42.2 95.3 102.6 120.8 3.8 Net result on revenues (%) 1.3% 3.7 4.4 5.1 0.2 Cash flow 127.4 149.8 142.1 159.3 79.5 Cash flow margin (%) 3.8% 5.9 6.1 6.8 3.7 BALANCE SHEET Equity 698.5 695.1 660.4 653.0 518.3 Net cash position 141.0 135.7 34.1 172.4 26.4 Solvency ratio (%) 24.2% 26 28.1 27.3 24.4 Liquidity ratio 1.31 1.30 1.42 1.42 1.40 Return on equity (%) 6.0% 14.4 15.7 20.6 0.7 ORDER BOOK (AT 31 DECEMBER) 4,794.3 4,763 3,031 2,930 3,229 +31% 2018-2019 EVOLUTION OF REVENUES 1.3% NET RESULT ON REVENUES €141 million NET CASH POSITION 6% RETURN ON EQUITY DPG MEDIA, ANTWERP, BELGIUM Table of contents Activity Report 2019 1 Table of contents BESIX at a glance 2 INDUSTRY & LOGISTICS 76 New transshipment building COMPANY PROFILE 4 on the Brussels Airport Brucargo site (BEL) 76 GROUP STRUCTURE 6 SPORTS & LEISURE 78 MESSAGE FROM THE CEO OF BESIX GROUP 8 Al Janoub, a sustainable stadium (QAT) 78 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF BESIX GROUP 10 Watpac presents a world-class stadium MILESTONES 2019 12 to North Queensland (AUS) 80 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 16 CONCESSIONS & ASSETS 82 A16 Rotterdam: World’s first Creating the highest value for our energy-neutral highway (NDL) 82 stakeholders 20 Ajman Sewerage, a textbook example of BESIX FORWARD STRATEGY 22 wastewater management (UAE) 84 MAXIMISING EFFECTIVENESS THROUGH 26 Emirates RDF: Turning household waste VALUE ENGINEERING into a solution (UAE) 86 DRIVING INNOVATION AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES 30 REAL ESTATE 88 CITIZENSHIP & SUSTAINABILITY 36 Sluishuis (NDL) 88 ICÔNE Belval (BEL) 90 Our people 40 Business review 92 PEOPLE 42 QUALITY, HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT 46 CONTRACTING 94 LABOUR STANDARDS 50 CONCESSIONS & ASSETS 100 BESIX FOUNDATION 52 REAL ESTATE 104 DIVERSIFICATION 108 110 years of global expertise 55 Regional and specialised BUILDINGS 58 entities in Europe 112 Smart headquarters in Dordrecht (NLD) 58 Sustainable housing in Masdar City (UAE) 60 COBELBA 114 INFRASTRUCTURE 62 JACQUES DELENS 116 Adding new tracks LUXTP 118 between Aalter and Beernem (BEL) 62 VANHOUT 120 Underground renovation WUST 122 of the Leopold II tunnel (BEL) 64 BESIX INFRA 124 Improving city traffic flows FRANKI FOUNDATIONS 126 with the new Shindagha Bridge (UAE) 66 SOCOGETRA 128 MARINE WORKS 68 VAN DEN BERG 130 Transforming Duqm into an international hub (OMN) 68 A new quay wall in familiar Port of Zeebrugge (BEL) 70 BESIX finance 132 ENVIRONMENT 72 WORD FROM THE CFO 134 West Africa’s largest CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET 136 drinking water treatment plant (CIV) 72 CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT 137 Modernising locks and pumping stations along the canal (BEL) 74 CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT 138 STATUTORY AUDITOR’S REPORT 139 COVER PICTURE: CROWN PRINCESS MARY’S BRIDGE, ROSKILDE FJORD, DENMARK 2 BESIX BESIX AT A GLANCE SHINDAGHA BRIDGE, DUBAI, UAE 4 BESIX Company profile A GLOBAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY PLAYER, WITH OVER A CENTURY OF EXPERIENCE BESIX Group is a leading Belgian industrial company The group takes pride in its in-house Engineering operating in the construction, real estate development Department, a distinctive feature in the industry, which is and concessions sectors. Founded in 1909, it has grown home to a wide-ranging expertise in geotechnical engineering, steadily over the years. A global multi-service group, BESIX is concrete technology, methods, planning, BIM, facade able to take on projects of all sizes and complexity, and draws expertise and systems engineering, among others. With its its strength from its entrepreneurial roots. “value engineering” capabilities, BESIX is able to optimise the design phase and adapt the implementation processes so as NV BESIX SA, its largest subsidiary, offers services in the to minimise risks and costs of errors and reduce expenditure different stages of construction projects. In addition to NV and lead times for the customer. BESIX SA and its other subsidiaries, BESIX Infra, Cobelba, Jacques Delens, Socogetra, Van den Berg, Vanhout, Wust, To reduce its risk exposure, BESIX has been diversifying Franki Foundations, Lux TP, BESIX RED, in the Benelux and its activities on a geographical and sectoral level, through in France, BESIX Group operates in Northern and Eastern organic growth, acquisitions or shareholdings. The group’s Europe, North and Central Africa and the Middle East through expansion in the Middle East, where it has built an impressive its subsidiary Six Construct, as well as in Canada and portfolio over the last 60 years, and more recently in Africa and Australia. Australia, illustrates the success of this strategy. Through its many projects and initiatives, BESIX is constantly seeking to consolidate its purpose: “To excel in creating sustainable solutions for a better world.” A DEDICATED PARTNER, EV JECT D ELOPM FROM CONSTRUCTION PRO EN TO CONCESSIONS T E T Always highly regarded as a A R E CONCESSIONS valued construction partner, P REAL ESTATE O & ASSETS BESIX has become a full-fledged Realising innovative & D Acquire, invest, residential and office E services company that operates N I operate and buildings on prime S A I on the whole value chain. While G T maintain projects locations N N construction is still its core I in the public and A private sectors business, the group’s Concessions M BESIX & Assets and Real Estate Development activities have been growing steadily. BESIX can rely on a vast and diversified expertise to CONTRACTING take on projects from financing to Buildings, marine works, infrastructure, design and construction to long- industry, environment, term maintenance. sports & leisure D F IL IN U AN B CE BESIX at a glance - Company profile Activity Report 2019 5 KEY FIGURES 2019 THE GROUP IN 5 KEY DATES BESIX GROUP IS PRESENT IN 25 COUNTRIES ON 5 CONTINENTS 1909 Founding of the Société Belge des Bétons, (SBB), which undertakes prestigious construction projects BELGIUM CANADA NETHERLANDS DENMARK PHILIPPINES FRANCE ITALY UNITED KINGDOM 1966 Founding of subsidiary POLAND Six Construct to take charge PORTUGAL of major projects in the Middle East BAHRAIN QATAR LATVIA UNITED ARAB EMIRATES EGYPT OMAN 2004 MONTENEGRO Management Buy-Out, SBB becomes BESIX Group MOROCCO IVORY COAST MOZAMBIQUE CAMEROON SRI LANKA SWITZERLAND 2010 Inauguration of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai (UAE), the AUSTRALIA LUXEMBOURG world’s tallest tower, built by Six Construct 80 2018 NATIONALITIES BESIX gains a foothold €3.3 billion in Australia with the successful takeover bid for 2019 TURNOVER all outstanding shares of the Australian company Watpac Limited. Nearly €42.2 million 14,000 2019 NET INCOME PERSONS EMPLOYED 6 BESIX Group Structure OPERATING ACROSS FIVE CONTINENTS, BESIX ENCOMPASSES MANY BRANCHES AND LEGAL ENTITIES, FULLY OWNED BY THE GROUP. THERE ARE ALSO SOME COMPANIES IN WHICH BESIX OWNS A - MINORITY OR MAJORITY - STAKE. BESIX’s branches have been created as the Group has Not all BESIX companies necessarily fall within these two diversified geographically. In most cases, the BESIX name categories. goes in front of the country in which they are established. For example, BESIX Cameroon or BESIX Canada Some companies were created by the Group itself: for are branches integrated into the “Business Unit (BU) example Six Construct, founded in 1966 to develop the International”, just as BESIX Nederland and BESIX France Group’s activities in the Middle East, or BESIX Real Estate belong to the “BU Europe”. Development established in 1988 to further the Group’s real estate development business. Most of the legal entities are companies acquired by BESIX over the last few decades. They are the result of vertical Companies in which BESIX owns a stake also retain their integration and sectoral or geographic diversification. identity. This applies to Flamant, for example. Although they are fully owned by BESIX, many of them have kept their names. For example Watpac (Australia), Lux TP (Luxembourg) or Martello Piling (UK). Besides commercial considerations – vital for companies whose brand embodies their specific expertise – this reflects the policy of controlled autonomy embedded within the Group. BESIX at a glance - Group Structure Activity Report 2019 7 BESIX CONTRACTING BU EUROPE BESIX BU BESIX INTERNATIONAL BU MIDDLE Six Construct EAST AUSTRALIA WATPAC Jacques Delens Corebat Sud Construct Lux TP Mabilux Msteel REGIONAL ComTIS ComTIS Energie­ HBS CONTRACTORS Installations
Recommended publications
  • Qatar 2022 Overall En
    Qatar Population Capital city Official language Currency 2.8 million Doha Arabic Qatari riyal (English is widely used) Before the discovery of oil in Home of Al Jazeera and beIN 1940, Qatar’s economy focused Media Networks, Qatar Airways on fishing and pearl hunting and Aspire Academy Qatar has the third biggest Qatar Sports Investments owns natural gas reserves in the world Paris Saint-Germain Football Club delivery of a carbon-neutral tournament in 2022. Under the agreement, the Global Carbon Trust (GCT), part of GORD, will Qatar 2022 – Key Facts develop assessment standards to measure carbon reduction, work with organisations across Qatar and the region to implement carbon reduction projects, and issue carbon credits which offset emissions related to Qatar 2022. The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ will kick off on 21 November 2022. Here are some key facts about the tournament. Should you require further information, visit qatar2022.qa or contact the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy’s Tournament sites are designed, constructed and operated to limit environmental impacts – in line with the requirements Media Team, [email protected]. of the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS). A total of nine GSAS certifications have been awarded across three stadiums to date: 21 November 2022 – 18 December 2022 The tournament will take place over 28 days, with the final being held on 18 December 2022, which will be the 15th Qatar National Day. Eight stadiums Khalifa International Stadium was inaugurated following an extensive redevelopment on 19 May 2017. Al Janoub Stadium was inaugurated on 16 May 2019 when it hosted the Amir Cup final.
    [Show full text]
  • Belhasa Six Construct LLC. P.O Box: 13055, Al Quoz 3, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
    Certificate CH10/1230.00 The management system of Belhasa Six Construct LLC. P.O Box: 13055, Al Quoz 3, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. has been assessed and certified as meeting the requirements of ISO 14001 :2004 For the following activities Civil works, Marine works, Building works, Industrial, Quarrying, Tunnelling and Environment Construction Projects. This certificate is valid from 19 July 2016 until 14 September 2018 and remains valid subject to satisfactory surveillance audits Recertification audit due before 6 July 2019 Issue 3. Certified since July 2010 This is a multi-site certification Additional site details are listed on the subsequent page Authorised by SGS Societe Generale de Surveillance SA Technoparkstrasse 1 8005 Zurich Switzerland t +41(0)44445-16-80 f +41(0)44445-16-88 www.sgs.com Page 1 of 2 This document is issued by the Company subject to its General Conditions of Certification Services accessible at www.sgs.com/terms_and_conditions.htm. Attention is drawn to the limitations of liability. indemnification and jurisdictional issues established therein. The authenticity of this document may be verified at http://www.sgs.com/en/Our-Company/Certified- Client-Directories/Certified-Client-Directories.aspx. Any unauthorized alteration, forgery or falsification of the content or appearance of this document is unlawful and offenders may be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Certificate CH10/1230.00, continued Belhasa Six Construct LLC. ISO 14001 :2004 Issue 3 Detailed scope The Scope of registration appears on page 1 of the certificate. Additional facilities Six Construct Co. Ltd, P.O Box: 226, 32nd Street, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
    [Show full text]
  • Driving Innovation and New Technologies
    30 BESIX Creating the highest value for our stakeholders - Innovation Activity Report 2019 31 Driving innovation DeliverApp: an example of collective and new innovation Developed by BESIX Infra, DeliverApp consists of digitizing the reception of deliveries to technologies construction sites. Concretely, by using QR Codes, paper delivery notes are replaced by a fast, simple and efficient digital operation. This speeds up the administrative process, which is beneficial for both the supplier and the site manager. “DeliverApp is a perfect example of an A LEADER IN OPEN INNOVATION innovation that only makes sense if it is widely shared within the industry,” says Peter Bertels. OPEN INNOVATION IS ONE OF THE SIX PILLARS OF THE ‘BESIX FORWARD’ STRATEGY. “WHAT Today, supported by the Association of Belgian IS CALLED ‘INNOVATION’ TODAY ARE THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS FOR TOMORROW. SOLUTIONS Contractors, the solution has already been fully THAT ENABLE US TO CREATE ADDED VALUE FOR OUR CLIENTS. BESIX’S APPROACH IS TO GET adopted by two key suppliers in the construction sector, about 10 suppliers are working on INVOLVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW IDEAS AND START-UPS AND THEN TO TRY THEM implementation, and it continues to spread. OUT IN OUR DEPARTMENTS AND ON OUR SITES”, EXPLAINS PATRIK PEYNSAERT, INNOVATION Want to know more? Just scan this QR Code: COORDINATOR. INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL IDEAS (see page 58). This building, which houses the headquarters of BESIX Nederland, is now considered to be a European Created in 2016, the Unleash program consists of a series reference in the field. In the same spirit, in collaboration with of initiatives focused on open innovation.
    [Show full text]
  • Europea NEO Brussels BRUSSELS
    Europea NEO Brussels BRUSSELS Working with masterplanners KCAP and architects Jean-Paul Viguier, Gustafson Porter’s work at Europea Neo Brussels (‘Europea’) will create high-quality landscape within a new 68-hectare high-end mixed-use district surrounding the Roi Baudoin stadium. Our landscape design ensures this new district integrates into the surrounding urban fabric of Brussels and is chiefly comprised of the areas around the Mall of Europe, Europea gardens and the Euroville Park, home of the iconic Atomium. The design consists of large public spaces and a series of water features which offer rest areas, promenades and playgrounds for children. Our work on the Atomium Esplanade will create a spectacular space where waterfalls complement large lawns, offering a new perspective on the Atomium and the wider Heysel plateau. Won in international competition in 2012 the development was led by Jean-Paul Viguier Associés (France), with Gustafson Porter as landscape architect. The project has been developed by Unibail-Rodamco SE, BESIX and CFE, and encompasses 500 residential units, a 3.5ha park and 112.000m² dedicated to leisure, restaurants, an art district and the retail precinct “Mall of Europe”, a 72000m2 shopping centre which includes 9000m2 of restaurant and leisure facilities. It is estimated to receive 12-15 million visitors a year and is envisaged as a ‘smart city’ with high standards of environmental design. Full completion is expected at the end of 2021. “Development of the city must be organised to enable it to meet the great demo- graphic, economic and social challenges of the next ten years, and to position itself firmly as a cosmopolitan metropolis and capital of Europe.
    [Show full text]
  • Massive Rush to Buy Tickets for Gulf Cup Semis
    WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 4, 2019 RABI AL-AKHIR 7, 1441 VOL.13 NO. 4807 QR 2 Fajr: 4:43 am Dhuhr: 11:24 am Asr: 2:23 pm Maghrib: 4:44 pm Isha: 6:14 pm MAIN BRANCH LULU HYPER SANAYYA ALKHOR Business 9 Sports 12 Doha D-Ring Road Street-17 M & J Building QP seals 5-year Gulf Cup sees a P ARTLY CLOUDY MATAR QADEEM MANSOURA ABU HAMOUR BIN OMRAN HIGH : 28°C Near Ahli Bank Al Meera Petrol Station Al Meera naphtha sale agreement record 39 goals LOW : 19°C alzamanexchange www.alzamanexchange.com 44441448 with Shell in group stage AMIR REVIEWS PRogRESS ON WORLD CUP PROJECTS Massive rush to buy tickets for Gulf Cup semis Qatar to play Saudi Arabia at Al Janoub Stadium tomorrow TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA THE Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani chaired the third meeting of 2019 of the Board of Directors of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) at the Amiri Diwan on Tuesday. The meeting was attended by the Deputy Amir HH Sheikh TICKETS for the 24th Arabian Abdullah bin Hamad al Thani, Personal Representative of the Amir and Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors HH Sheikh Gulf Cup semi-finals have been Jassim bin Hamad al Thani, Prime Minister, Minister of Interior and board member HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al selling like hot cakes. There is a Thani, and other members of the board. During the meeting, they reviewed the progress of work on all the FIFA World Cup Qatar mad rush at ticket counters, the 2022 projects, and the progress of the operational and security plan for 2019 FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar.
    [Show full text]
  • Days to Go: Lation
    Sakkari QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune shocks QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune Osaka to storm into Miami Open semis PAGE 15 THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021 Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium Al Janoub Stadium Khalifa International Stadium TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK hospitality. This uniquely Qatari stadium comes complete DOHA with a state-of-the-art retractable roof and is surrounded by 400,000m² of green spaces for the local community. ARCH 31, 2021 marked the 600-day count- The venue will host nine matches through to the semi- down to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. finals stage of Qatar 2022. THE first WorldC up in the Middle East and Construction update: The stadium structure has Arab world will kick off on 21 November and been completed and is ready to host matches. This in- Mconclude 28 days later on 18 December – Qatar National cludes the laying of the stadium pitch in record time. This Day. Qatar’s infrastructure plans are well advanced. Four year, the venue achieved a high sustainability rating from stadiums have been inaugurated, the new metro system GSAS. The surrounding Al Bayt Park opened on Qatar is up and running, and a host of expressways have been National Sports Day in February 2020. built. Here’s a closer look at the eight stadiums which will host matches during Qatar 2022. Khalifa International, Al Janoub, Education City and Ahmad Bin Ali have all Al Thumama Stadium hosted major matches, while the construction of Al Bayt Capacity: 40,000 has been completed. Along with Al Bayt, Al Thumama and Designer: Arab Engineering Bureau Ras Abu Aboud are set to be inaugurated during 2021, Distance from Doha city centre: 12km (7 miles) while the venue for the Qatar 2022 final, Lusail, is set to With a design inspired by the ‘gahfiya’, a traditional open early next year.
    [Show full text]
  • 2019 BESIX Activity Report
    ACTIVITY REPORT 2019 ACTIVITY REPORT 2019 ACTIVITY REPORT BESIX in 2019 EVOLUTION OF REVENUES EVOLUTION OF ORDER BOOK (IN MEUR) (IN MEUR) 3,332 4,763 4,794 2,542 2,359 2,337 2,160 3,229 2,930 3,031 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 REVENUES BY REGION ORDER BOOK BY REGION (2019) (AT 31/12/2019) 3,332 MEUR 4,794 MEUR BELGIUM 36% EUROPE 30% MIDDLE EAST 17% INTERNATIONAL 15% THE NETHERLANDS, MIDDLE EAST 18% LUXEMBOURG & FRANCE 12% AUSTRALIA 17% AUSTRALIA 28% REGIONAL CONTRACTORS 20% REST OF THE WORLD 7% REVENUES BY AREA OF EXPERTISE ORDER BOOK BY AREA (2019) OF EXPERTISE (AT 31/12/2019) 3,332 MEUR 4,794 MEUR BUILDINGS 65% BUILDINGS 58% CIVIL WORKS 16% CIVIL WORKS 28% MARINE WORKS 4% ENVIRONMENTAL WORKS 1% FOUNDATIONS 5% MARINE WORKS 7% ENVIRONMENTAL WORKS 2% FOUNDATIONS 1% OTHER (CABLING AND INFRA) 6% OTHER 5% QUARRIES / CONCRETE 2% DPG MEDIA, ANTWERP, BELGIUM Consolidated Key Figures 2019 (in MEUR) 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 INCOME STATEMENT Revenues 3,332.0 2,542.1 2,337.0 2,359.1 2,159.7 EBITDA 97.8 131.4 122.5 168.1 46.1 EBITDA margin (%) 2.9% 5.2 5.2 7.1 2.1 EBIT 22.0 83.7 78.9 117.8 0.4 EBIT margin (%) 0.7% 3.3 3.4 5.0 0.0 Earnings before taxes 48.1 103.2 115.5 135.0 15.4 Consolidated profit 42.2 95.3 102.6 120.8 3.8 Net result on revenues (%) 1.3% 3.7 4.4 5.1 0.2 Cash flow 127.4 149.8 142.1 159.3 79.5 Cash flow margin (%) 3.8% 5.9 6.1 6.8 3.7 BALANCE SHEET Equity 698.5 695.1 660.4 653.0 518.3 Net cash position 141.0 135.7 34.1 172.4 26.4 Solvency ratio (%) 24.2% 26 28.1 27.3 24.4 Liquidity ratio 1.31 1.30 1.42 1.42 1.40
    [Show full text]
  • Brussels Sustainable Destination Thematic Kit Green, Airy, Modern, Calming
    brussels sustainable destination thematic kit GREEN, AIRY, MODERN, CALMING. SURPRISING, ENGAGING AND UNCLASSIFIABLE WITH ITS HINTS OF BAROQUE, ART NOUVEAU AND ART DÉCO. COSMOPOLITAN AND CONVIVIAL. UNUSUAL AND FESTIVE. BRUSSELS IS THE IDEAL DESTINATION TO FILL UP ON STRONG EMOTIONS. AND SUSTAINABLE EMOTIONS. I. INTRODUCTION : Did you say ‘sustainable’? These days, who can claim not to know what sustainable development is? «Development that meets the needs of the present wit- hout compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs», according to the most common definition. Gradually, sustainability is becoming embedded in the way we consume, move, think and travel. ... But it is sometimes difficult to steer a course between greenwashing and genuine and sustainable policies. So what exactly is sustainable tourism? How does a sustainable city work? In Brussels, the supply is increasing and improving day by day: hotels that have reduced their carbon footprint, restaurants that offer healthy dishes with authentic flavours. More modern and pleasant ways of experiencing the city by bike, on foot, on skates or Segway rather than stuck between two cars in a traffic jam. And lots of other fine, organic and ethical ingredients, designed to respect the natural, cultural and heritage resources of the places visited. There is a strong political will to make Brussels a pioneering city in sustainable and res- ponsible tourism. A new generation of tourists has emerged: more demanding, better informed before departure and sharing their opinions on blogs and forums. They are more than ever on the lookout for exceptional and sustainable experiences and seeking emotions that match their interests.
    [Show full text]
  • BESIX, the Construction Company, and Elia, the Grid Operator, Want to Give Smart Buildings an Active Role in the Electricity System
    PRESS RELEASE | Brussels, 24 February 2021 BESIX, the construction company, and Elia, the grid operator, want to give smart buildings an active role in the electricity system. — 40% of our energy consumption comes from buildings — In addition to being more energy-efficient, smart buildings also carry great potential in terms of flexible energy management — Smart buildings strengthen the integration of renewable energy into the energy system To achieve a climate-neutral society by 2050 as outlined in the European Green Deal, more than just an en- ergy transition is needed. Other sectors can also contribute to the further decarbonisation of our society. Just as the advent of electric vehicles will have a major impact on decarbonisation in the short term, innova- tive changes are also being announced in the construction sector. For instance, the buildings of the future will not only be more energy-efficient, but also energy-smart. Thanks to flexible energy management, the en- ergy consumed by buildings will be better matched to the variable production of renewable energy. The con- struction sector will thus support the energy transition without compromising on comfort. At the same time, consumers will be able to save on their energy bills. To keep the electricity network in balance, supply and demand must be kept equal at all times. With the expected increase in renewable (and less predictable) energy production and the further electrification of our society, this chal- lenge will become much greater in the future. To maintain the balance, there is a need for flexible balancing tools. Today, flexibility is mainly provided by industry through increases or decreases in energy production.
    [Show full text]
  • BESIX RED Launches DUUO, Its First Residential Project in Portugal
    PRESS RELEASE Brussels, Lisbon BESIX RED launches DUUO, its first residential project in Portugal BESIX Real Estate Development launches today the commercialisation of the first phase of DUUO, its first residential development in Portugal, following the obtention of the architectural license for the project earlier this year. Co-developed with la Compagnie Du Bois Sauvage, an investment holding company, DUUO is a 34,000 sqm premium living concept totalling 280 apartments. It is designed by the Portuguese architects Nuno Leónidas Arquitectos and ideally located in the heart of the popular ‘Avenidas Novas’ district in Lisbon. Today active in 18 cities across 5 countries and operating in the residential, office and retail sectors, BESIX RED consolidates its Pan-European presence with the launch of DUUO in Lisbon. Gabriel Uzgen, CEO BESIX RED, explains: « BESIX RED’s diversification strategy is both sectorial and geographical. However, today more than ever, our ambition is to invest in cities characterised by a strong socio-economic dynamism where there is a certain willingness of the public authorities to collaborate, which is the case in Lisbon. » 21.05.2021 Co-developed with la Compagnie du Bois Sauvage, its Belgian financial partner listed on the stock exchange, DUUO also demonstrates the developer’s capability of building sound relationships with solid financial partners. «DUUO is the second project managed in close collaboration with la Compagnie du Bois Sauvage, and this time, outside of Belgian territory. It reflects the real confidence our partner has in our team and our expertise within and outside borders », adds the CEO. DUUO is strategically located between Praça de Espanha and the University of Lisbon in the Avenidas Novas- district - close to the city’s most famous parks, hospitals, art and cultural venues and easily connected to the airport as well as to the historic city centre.
    [Show full text]
  • 2020 Half-Year Financial Report
    PRESS RELEASE REGULATED INFORMATION Brussels, embargo until 30.07.2020, 5:40 PM CET 2020 Half-Year Financial Report Cofinimmo’s (Euronext Brussels: COFB) results in line with the outlook announced last April: ▪ Net result from core activities – Group share: 88 million EUR (75 million EUR as at 30.06.2019), i.e. up 18% ▪ Confirmation of the budgeted gross dividend for the 2020 financial year, payable in 2021: 5.80 EUR per share, up compared to 2019 Investments in healthcare real estate since 01.01.2020: ▪ Investments of 182 million EUR in the 1st half-year ▪ With 2.6 billion EUR (i.e. up 7% over six months), healthcare real estate accounts for 57% of the portfolio, which reaches 4.5 billion EUR as at 30.06.2020 Recentering of the office portfolio in line with the strategy: ▪ Acquisition of a building containing offices and a medical centre in the Central Business District of Brussels (‘CBD’) for 40 million EUR ▪ Provisional acceptance of the Quartz office building ESG: ▪ Delivery of several projects which contribute to the objective of reducing the energy intensity of our portfolio by 30% by 2030 ▪ Support of initiatives aiming at fighting against the coronavirus pandemic and its effects in the healthcare sector, and more particularly in nursing and care homes as well as hospitals Solid operational performance: ▪ Gross rental revenues up 10.6% over the 1st half-year (or 1.6% on a like-for-like basis) ▪ Operating margin increased to 83.1% (82.6% as at 31.12.2019) ▪ High occupancy rate: 97.5% (97.0% as at 31.12.2019) ▪ Particularly long
    [Show full text]
  • Five Key Facts About Education City Stadium I See You in 2022
    Received by NSD/FARA Registration Unit 06/17/2020 5:58:05 PM Education City Stadium Launch Pitches Architecture/Design Reporters Subject line: Diamond in the Desert: Architectural marvel now complete Hi, The 40,000-capacity football arena, dubbed Diamond in the Desert, is now complete. This is the third tournament venue for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in Doha, Qatar. The stadium sits in the heart of Qatar Foundation's Education City, and has been built for use long after the World Cup ends. I thought you might be interested in spotlighting this architectural marvel that skillfully blends design and sustainability. It blends both beautiful architecture with innovative systems built to sustainably cool spectators and athletes in a hot desert climate. Geometric patterns on the stadium's facade appear to change color as the sun moves during the day, and the stadium has received the prestigious five-star rating from the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS), making it one of the most sustainable venues for Qatar 2022. Other notable features include: • Designed by Mark Fenwick of Fenwick Iribarren Architects in Madrid, Spain, the stadium was designed to provide intense and potent effect for soccer fans. The roof is designed to help acoustics bounce on to the pitch, heightening the excitement of the games. • Designed within Qatar Foundation's footprint, the Education City stadium takes advantage of the climate to maintain a cool temperature inside the structure. The stadium incorporates multiple passive design elements reducing the overall energy consumption. • The shape of the stadium stops wind from getting into the venue for more effective cooling in the desert heat.
    [Show full text]