Belgian Economic Mission to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 23-29 october 2009 Belgian Economic Mission to the Kingdom Saudi Arabia 23-29 October 2009 The entire version of this brochure is also available on the Organised by the regional institutions for Foreign Trade (Brussels Export, of the Belgian Foreign Trade Agency, on the following address: Flanders Investment & Trade - FIT, Wallonia Foreign Trade and Investment www.abh-ace.org/expor/initiatives-actions/abh-ace/missions-sar/2009/saudiarabia/homepage.html Agency - AWEX) and the Belgian Foreign Trade Agency HRH Prince Philippe was born on 15 April 1960 in Brussels, Singapore (2008), Mexico & Panama and the Republic of Belgium, as first child of HM King Albert II and HM Queen Korea (2009). Paola. He is first in the line of succession to the throne of On May 3, 2003, Prince Philippe was appointed Honorary Belgium and, as such, he bears the title of Duke of Brabant. Chairman of the Board of the Foreign Trade Agency, replacing On December 4, 1999, the Prince married Miss Mathilde the BFTB. d’Udekem d’Acoz. On June 21, 1994 he became a member of the Senate. Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde have 4 children: In addition to his various official duties, Prince Philippe Elisabeth (2001), Gabriel (2003), Emmanuel (2005) and concentrates on gaining more in-depth knowledge of his Eléonore (2008). country, its role and its image in the world and in international At the end of secondary school, which he attended both in relations. French and in Dutch, the Prince continued his education at The Prince is keenly interested in the situation of young people the Royal Military Academy from which he graduated in 1981. and their integration in the society of tomorrow. He therefore He then subsequently qualified as fighter pilot (1982) and visits schools and universities, but also follows closely various as a paratrooper- and commando officer before assuming social issues such as unemployment and the struggle against command over a paratrooper platoon. He now holds the rank poverty and exclusion. of Major-General in the Armed Forces (2001). In May 1997, Prince Philippe was appointed Honorary Chairman Prince Philippe completed his academic training at Trinity of the Belgian Federal Council for Sustainable Development, College, University of Oxford (UK) and at the Graduate created after the Conference of Rio. School of Stanford University (USA) where he took a “Master In 1998 the Prince Philippe Fund was created, with the aim of of Arts Degree” in political science in 1985. fostering exchanges between citizens or organisations from The Prince holds an Honorary Doctorate of the Katholieke all three Communities of our country. Universiteit Leuven (conferred in 2002). In 2003, Prince Philippe became Honorary Chairman of BIO As a result of the increasing number of commitments, the (Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries). “Household of Prince Philippe” was created in 1992. Since 2004, Prince Philippe is also Honorary Chairman On August 6, 1993, by Government decision, Prince Philippe of the European Chapter of the Club of Rome and of the was appointed Honorary Chairman of the Belgian Foreign International Polar Foundation. Trade Board (BFTB). He succeeded to his father, who In May 2004, Prince Philippe obtained his licence as a civilian had been Honorary Chairman of the BFTB since 1962. In helicopter pilot. He spends his rare leisure moments at home this capacity, Prince Philippe has headed more than fifty with his family and also likes to read, especially on subjects important economic missions, of which the most recent are related to the problems and challenges confronting men and South Africa, the Federation of Russia, Canada and Bulgaria His Royal Highness Prince Philippe of Belgium women in today’s society. He practises sports regularly and & Romania (2006), China and Bahrain & Qatar (2007), USA is keen to maintain a healthy physical condition. & Canada, Egypt, Argentina & Uruguay and Indonesia & 05 Education Politics • Humanities Latin-Greek (Sint-Vincentius College Ypres – • President, CVP Youth, section Ypres (1983-1986) 1973-1979) • District Secretary, CVP, Ypres district (1985-1987) • Bachelor of Science in law (Kulak – 1981) • National Officer, CVP Youth (1986-1988) • Bachelor of Science in political sciences (RUG – 1983) • National Vice-chairman, CVP Youth (1988-1989) • Master of Science in law (RUG – 1984) • District chairman, CVP, Ypres district (1988-1991) • Master of Science in public administration (RUG – 1985) • Municipal Councilor, municipality of Ypres (January 1995 • Diploma from the Centre for International Federalism – January 2001) Studies (Nice – 1984) • Member of the Community Council, municipality of Ypres (February 2001 – present) Professional Experience • MP, CVP, since June 1997 (successor of P. Breyne) • Elected MP, CVP, 13 June 1999 • Assistant to the parliamentarian Paul Breyne (1985) • Chairman, CD&V political fraction in the Chamber • CVP Secretary, Ypres district (1985-1987) (January 2001 – May 2003) • Advisor at the cabinet of the regional Minister Paul • Elected MP, CD&V (May 2003 – July 2004) Deprez (1986) • Chairman CD&V (June 2003 – July 2004) • Deputy Auditor at the Belgian Court of Auditors (January • Flemish MP, CD&V, elected 13 June 2004 1987 – January 1989) • Formateur in order to form a new Flemish government • Deputy Secretary of the CVP (February 1989 – January • Minister-President, Flemish government (July 2004 – 1992) June 2007) • Secretary of the CVP (February 1991 – December 1992) • Senator ( june 28 - december 2007) • Administrator at the European Union – European • Formateur in order to form a new federal government (15 Commission (December 1992–May 1997) july 2007 till 24 august 2007) and (29 september 2007 • MP, CVP, since June 1997 (successor of P. Breyne) till 1 december 2007) • Elected MP, CVP, 13 June 1999 • Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Budget, • Flemish MP, CD&V, elected 13 June 2004 Institutional Reform, and Transport and the Nordsee (12 • Minister-President, Flemish government (July 2004 – december 2007 till 19 march 2008) June 2007) • Prime Minister (20 march till december 2008) • Vice-Prime Minister of Belgium and Minister of Budget, • Senator (december 2008 till 16 july 2009) Transport, Institutional Reform and the North Sea • Minister of Foreign Affairs ( 17 july 2009- ...) (December 2007 - present) HE Yves Leterme Minister of Foreign Affairs 07 Summary pages Private & Public Organisations, Chambers of Commerce and Federations 11 Financial Institutions 27 Ports 31 Industrial & Service Companies 35 Public Sector 157 09 Private & Public Organisations, Chambers of Commerce and Federations 11 AGORIA AGORIA – CARBON Energy Club AGORIA is Belgium’s largest employers’ organisation and trade association representing The Carbon Energy Club (formerly known as the Belgian Oil and Gas Group) is an initiative more then 1.600 members active in the technology industry in Belgium, more specifically of Agoria, the Belgian federation for the technology industry. in following markets : Aerospace - Automotive - Construction products - Contracting The Carbon Energy Club brings together Belgian companies who supply highly specialised & Maintenance - Electrical engineering - Industrial automation - Information and technology equipment and services to the oil, gas and energy market. Sectors include field Communication Technologies (ICT) - Mechatronical engineering - Metals & Materials - development, midstream projects, refineries and petrochemical plants and conventional Metal processing - Mounting & Cranes - Plastics - Security & Defence. energy production. The Club currently counts 105 members, spread over small, medium- AGORIA’s member companies supply goods and provide services for many international sized and large companies of the technological level required to succeed in these projects abroad: equipment for large-scale infrastructure works, oil, gas and petrochemical demanding markets. plants, international sports events, environmental infrastructure, construction, renewable Main types of fabrication and services include: electrical, mechanical and electronic energy, ICT solutions for the financial sector, equipment & services for the medical and equipment, plant automation and software, contracting, marine works, inspection paramedical sectors, textile machinery, etc. services. A substantial number of companies with world-leading know-how and experience in a Together these companies represent more than 90% of the know-how and added value of particular market are joining forces in AGORIA’s international business development the oil & gas equipment & services industry in Belgium. Diamant Building Diamant Building clubs such as the Carbon Energy Club, the Belgian Sports Technology Club, the Agoria Boulevard A. Reyers 80 Boulevard A. Reyers 80 Infrastructure Club, the Agoria Renewable Energy Club, the Agoria Banking Club, etc. 1030 Brussels 1030 Brussels T : +32 2 706 79 38 T : +32 2 706 81 47 F : +32 2 706 79 43 F : +32 2 706 79 43 [email protected] [email protected] www.agoria.be www.carbonenergyclub.be Peter Demuynck Pieter-Jan Provoost Director International Director Carbon 12 Business Energy Club 13 ANTWERP WORLD DIAMOND CENTRE ARAB- BELGIUM- LUXEMBOURG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Antwerp World Diamond Centre was founded in 1973 and acts as the spokesman and A strong network at the service of the private sector. A real partnership to develop the coordinator for all activities in the diamond sector. AWDC