CCBLA - Arab-Belgium-Luxemburg Chamber of Commerce - ABLCC

The joint Euro-Arab Chambers and the European Union

The Secretaries general had the opportunity to present the joint Euro-Arab Chambers of Commerce and their role in the reinforcement and development of the economic relations between the Arab states and Europe. They also underlined the important role the Chambers have furthermore in the field of social and cultural cooperation.

Delegation from the Federation of the Iraqi Chambers of Commerce & Industry in Belgium (19-20 January)

The Arab-Belgium-Luxemburg Chamber of Commerce welcome on 19-20 January a delegation from the Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

The delegation, headed by Mr Jaafar Al Ghrairi, Chairman of the Federation of ICCI, was composed of Chairmen of the Chambers of Commerce of Baghdad, Al Nassirya, Babelon, Al Diwaniya and Ebil.

Our Chamber organized on 20 January a working session with the participation of Mr Willy Monfils, Chairman of our Chamber, the representatives of the regional agencies for the external trade and the delegates of the Belgian companies active on the Iraqi market.

The delegatio visited the Chamber of Commerce of Antwerp on 19 January and meetings took place with the responsible people of this Chamber.

The delegation expressed the wish to sign a cooperation agreement with the Chamber of Antwerp and hoped that this agreement will be signed during a next visit.

Moreover, the Chairman of the Federation has invited our Chamber to pay a visit to Iraq with a delegation of Belgian businessmen.

Round Table on Sudan (11 February)

A round table was held at the ABLCC on 11 February to discuss the opportunities of investments and business in Sudan with the participation of responsible people  from the Belgian agencies of External Trade, the CBL-ACP and the Belgian Ministry of Finances.

The Sudanese Economic Counsellor, Mr Ahmad Hussein Ahmad, gave an overview on the bilateral relations between Sudan and Belgium and their positive developments since the early 70's 

The meeting also aimed to prepare the ground for the organization of an exploratory mission  of the Belgian side to Sudan to discuss and explore the opportunities of investment and the areas of cooperation between the two countries.  Besides,  this meeting exposed the raisoning  that justifies the importance of the resumption of the economic bilateral relations between the two countries inspired by the recent developments that concluded the signature of two major agreements between Sudan and Belgium, mainly the signature of "Reciprocal Promotion and protection of investments" and "the Avoidance of double taxation & prevention of fiscal evasion".

Saudi Business Day in Kortrijk (19th February)

The Arab-Belgium-Luxemburg Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce of West Flanders, organized an information day in Kortrijk on 19th February 2009 under the patronage of HE Mr Abdallah Al-Mouallimi, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia in Belgium.

Our first visit was for the Mayor of Kortrijk, Mr Lybeer, who introduced his region as one of the most developed in Europe with the port of Zeebrugge and Kortrijk as the capital of the textile sector.

Then the 70 participants of the day joined BARCO premises to attend speeches and witness of experiences of Belgian companies in Saudi Arabia.  Most of the participating companies are linked to Saudi companies by partnership contracts.

The speakers spoke about the importance of the economy of Saudi Arabia and the high possibilities of investments.  Saudi economy represents 25% of the GDP of the Arab world and 1/4 of oil reserves worldwide.  The expected volume of investments for the next decade amounts to more than 600 billion $.

The Governor of West Flanders, Mr Paul Breyne, mentioned that such an event was a première for Kortrijk and that his province exported 80% of its production, showing this way its opening to the world.

Mr Marc Bogaerts, General Manager of the Belgian Agency for External Trade, underlined the importance of the Saudi market for the Belgian companies (volume of commercial exchanges between Belgium and Saudi Arabia more than 1,9 billion euro and 10% increase over the last 3 years). Mr Bogaerts announced the economic mission to Saudi Arabia of businessmen headed by HRH Prins Philippe next October.

HEM Ambassador of Saudi Arabia expressed his thanks to the organizers of this important event and his wish to cooperate to the reinforcement of the good friendship relations between the governments and the people of both countries.  He promised to contribute to the success of the next mission.

At the end of the morning, BARCO representatives invited all participants to visit their company and gave some information about the techniques used by BARCO.

The afternoon was devoted to individual contacts between businessmen of both countries.

 Economic mission to Kuwait and Qatar (23-27 March)

The Arab-Belgium-Luxemburg Chamber of Commerce organised an economic and commercial mission to Kuwait and Qatar from 23 to 27 March 2009, in cooperation with Brussels Export and Flanders Investment and Trade.  An important number of representatives from the Belgian medical and pharmaceutical sectors participated in this mission.

The program of the mission focussed on extensive contacts during several visits to local hospitals and clinics, along with individual B2B contacts for all the participants.

The Secretary General of the Chamber, accompanied by H.E. Mr Heyvaerts, Ambassador of Belgium in Kuwait, met with Mr Rabah Al Rabah, Deputy Director General at the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry.  He also had a meeting in presence of HE Mr Luc Devolder, Ambassador of Belgium in Qatar, and Mr Mounif Kilani, Commercial Attaché, with Dr Khalid Al-Hajri, General Manager of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Qatar.

The participants of the mission were able to note the rapid and overall development of both countries. A large number of opportunities to create partnerships were identified, more particulary in the field of health care, education, infrastructure and new technologies.

The long-term strategy of the Kuwaiti government indeed calls for further diversification.  This objective requires close cooperation with the private sector and strengthening the role of foreign investors.  The position of the country as a major gateway to the surrounding states is also pushing international companies to establish some presence in Kuwait.

The economic transformation of Qatar was made possible by its massive reserves of natural gas. The rapid economic growth of the past years has resulted in one of the highest per capita incomes in the world and was accompanied by structural reforms to create a business-friendly environment.

During the mission, the Brussels Academic University signed a joint venture agreement with a Kuwaiti hospital and a reputed Belgian company, member of our Chamber of Commerce, started the procedures to create a branch office in Qatar in order to develop its activities in the region.

Trade relations between Belgium and the two Gulf countries are developing fast.  In the past 3 years, exports to Kuwait increased from 154 million euros in 2006 to 181 million euros in 2007, before stabilising at 151 million euros again in 2008.  Imports from Kuwait grew from 25 million euros in 2006 to 37 million euros in 2007 and 57 million euros last year.

Belgian exports to Qatar increased from 193 million euros to 261 million and 318 million euros over the same period.  Imports from the country were boosted following an important gas deal and grew from 118 million euros in 2006 to 519 million in 2007 and more than 1 billion euros last year.

Lunch Conference at the FEB (15 April)

 The Arab-Belgium-Luxemburg Chamber of Commerce organized on 15 April a lunch conference in the premises of the FEB.  The Guest speaker was Mr Rudi THOMAES, Chief Executive Officer of the FEB who spoke about "Doing business in a changing world : the crisis and post crisis challenges". His speech was very much appreciated by the participants and particularly by the Arab Ambassadors and is available in our Chamber.

Export Lunch Saudi Arabia (5th May)

BECI organized on 5th May an Export Lunch on Saudi Arabia in preparation of the mission which will be headed  by HRH Prins Philippe from 23 to 29 October 2009.

This Export lunch was held in the presence of HE Mr Abdallah AL MOUALLIMI, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia in Belgium.

  Seminar on Djibouti (29th June 2009)

Seminar on North Africa (Algeria, Morocco & Tunisia) (24th September 2009)

Organisation of a seminar in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce of East Flanders with the participation of Ambassadors and representatives of these countries. Presentations were made on the economy and the investment opportunities as well as offers to Belgian companies which are carrying out projects or are investing in these countries (also in the textile sector).  The economic counsellors of the Belgian Embassies accredited in these three countries participated in this seminar that counted 75 participants.  Meetings were organized between businessmen, companies and members of the Diplomatic Corps.

Business Day for GCC Member States (6th October 2009)

In cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce of Namur, the CCBLA organized on 6th October a Business Day for GCC Member States with the participation of H.E. the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia. On this occasion, the CCBLA offered an oriental breakfast to all the participants.

Economic mission to Saudi Arabia (23rd-28th October 2009)

Participation of the CCBLA in the economic mission to Saudi Arabia presided by HRH Prince Philippe from 23rd to 28th October 2009.  The Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Secretary General paid a visit to the Chairman of the Chambers of Commerce in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam.  On this occasion, the CCBLA signed a cooperation agreement with the Chamber of Commerce of Jeddah in the presence of HRH Prince Philippe.  The Chairman and Secretary General also participated in the visit of HRH Prince Philippe to the United Arab Emirates and in meetings with the Ministers of Health and  Foreign Trade.

The 5th Edition of the Economic Forum Belgium Luxemburg Arab Countries (17th November 2009)

The CCBLA organized the 5th edition of the Economic Forum Belgium Luxemburg Arab countries on 17th November 2009 under the aegis of HE Mr Vincent VAN QUICKENBORNE, Minister of Economy of Belgium, with the participation of the Governors of the Belgian and Luxemburg National Banks. The topics of this edition focused on the impact of the economic crisis on the relations between Belgium, Luxemburg and the Arab countries.  An important part of this forum was dedicated to Finances and the Islamic banking system, with a session on Conventional and Islamic banking and the opportunities in Europe. Another sesssion focused on the business opportunities in the Arab countries and on the Public-Private partnership, with examples of big projects that were carried out in the Arab countries in partnership with the Belgian enterprises.

Economic mission to Morocco (22nd -26th November 2009)

The CCBLA participated in the economic mission to Morocco  presided by HRH Prince Philippe from 22nd to 26th November.  The Chairman and the Secretary General visited the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Casablanca.  They met with the Chairman and members of the Board of Directors.

On this occasion, the CCBLA and the Chamber of Casablanca organized a seminar on "How to help the Moroccan companies to export, taking advantage of the benefits of the agreements signed with the EU regarding the rules of origin.

Enhancing Euromed Cooperation in Tourism (16th December 2009) 

The CCBLA organized on 16th December in the premises of the European Commission and in cooperation with the European Commission, DG RELEX and DG Enterprise, a conference "Enhancing Euromed cooperation on Tourism" in the presence of officials from the Ministries of Tourism of the Arab countries and professionals in the tourism sector and the European Investment Bank.

This conference was the first preparatory meeting before the Euromed Ministerial Meeting that will take place in Barcelona on 20th May 2010.

The opening session was chaired  by Mr Thomas Dupla Del Moral, Director DG RELEX, Mr Pedro Ortun, Director DG Enterprise, Mr Abdulaziz Al-Mikhlafi, Secretary General of the mixed Euro-Arab Chambers of Commerce, Mr Qaisar Hijazin, Secretary-General of the CCBLA and Mr Pierre Deusy, DG RELEX. The speakers highlighted the need to develop the cooperation and exchange of know-how and of best practices between the North and the South of the Mediterranean for the strong potential existing in the Mediterranean, particularly in the South.  They expressed the importance of developing the infrastructures and capacity building and training programs and of enhancing the cooperation between the private and public sector. They also underlined the need to promote sustainable tourism and to develop eco tourism & eco labeling.