contributions by Thomas Leysen from the Federation of Belgian...
Transcript of contributions by Thomas Leysen from the Federation of Belgian...
Best of Belgium 3
International Group Publisher Sven Boermeester
Publisher and Editor Frank Boermeester
Commercial Director Koen Christiaens
Media Consultants Maarten Roofthooft, Joris De Wilder
Editorial Contributors Peter Farlam
Printing Antilope Printing
Creative Direction Peter Batistich, Graham Cooper
Photography Douglas Moors, Compagnie Gagarine
Tervuursesteenweg 133/23001 LeuvenBelgiumTel: +32 16 223669Fax: +3216 [email protected]@thefifthconference.com
Website
www.thefifthconference.comwww.gvpedia.com
Published by
The Fifth Conference bvba
ISBN # 9789079056002
Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in the Best of Belgium vol.2 publication.
Neither Best of Belgium nor The Fifth Conference bvba take any responsibility for errors or omissions.
All rights reserved:
No part of this publication shall be reproduced, copied, transmitted, adapted or modified in any form or by any means.
This publication shall not be stored in whole or in part in any form in any retrieval system.
Regional Head Offices
Bangalore • Bangkok • Brussels • Cairo • Copenhagen • Dubai Johannesburg • London • Singapore • Sydney • Washington DC
Welcome to the second volume of ‘Best of Belgium,’ in which we showcase this nation’s
contemporary achievement, from the arts and fashion to business and innovation. This
publication is built on a number of key elements. Firstly, there are the stories about Belgium’s
best—the companies and organization profiled in this book are true leaders in their field. Also,
these are the organizations that made this book possible and are helping to spread it around the
world. Secondly, as editor, we wrote a number of articles—placed throughout the publication—
that discuss some of the key Belgian achievements from the past year or two. Third, we invited
a number of influential Belgians to contribute a personal vision statement—for example, see the
contributions by Thomas Leysen from the Federation of Belgian Enterprises and Guy Quaden,
chairman of the National Bank of Belgium.
As publishers we express our gratitude to a number of organizations for their support
in distributing this publication around the world. In particular these include this country’s
Chambers of Commerce, the federal chamber, the regional chambers and the many international
chambers that promote business links with our main trade partners. Also we thank Brussels
Export, Flanders Investment & Trade, AWEX (Walloon Export Agency), the Federal Agency for
Foreign Trade (organizer of the royal trade missions) and the Federal Public Service of Foreign
Affairs for distributing the book to all corners of the world. ‘Best of Belgium’ will also go out to
our colleagues in the Global Village Partnerships network, from Dubai and India to Australia and
South Africa. Have a look at gvpedia.com to see how our network is growing.
In the years ahead, ‘Best of Belgium’ will continue to document Belgian achievement, relying
on the fact that Belgium is representative of a dynamic, creative Europe, a beacon of liberal
democracy and social justice, where individuals have the space and inspiration to create that
which makes our world a better place, be it in the realm of business, art or ideas.
For Volume III expect deeper and sharper analysis, more vision articles by leading Belgians,
and great photography.
Showcasing Belgian Achievement…
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CELEBRATE SUCCESS
Brand Image
Branding a Nation, a City and its People
GVP brands and builds the image of the world’s most exciting economic
regions to affect a change in the perception of a nation, a city and its
people by the rest of the world. This then promotes the region in terms
of its investment opportunities, key industries, innovations, people,
culture, tourism potential and international objectives.
Product - The Books
Celebrate your success
The 'Best of…' publishing series produces annual maxi format book
publications in over 30 territories, from Bangalore to Belgium. These
detail success stories of people and companies making positive inroads
into the commercial fibre of both mature and emerging markets.
The books showcase entrepreneurial spirit; establishing powerful
global networks and the creation of individual brand awareness by
bridging cultures. The result is the ultimate interactive corporate gift and
P.R. marketing tool for governments, companies, hotels and business
people providing leading products and services for their region.
Product - The Folders
Fast track to the world
Market Essentials works closely with Foreign Embassies, High
Commissions, International Chambers of Commerce and Trade
Associations worldwide to produce high quality trade folders. Each
folder is designed to offer support and advice to companies interested
in trading with or investing in overseas markets.
Product - www.gvpedia.com
Connecting the world's most interesting people and organisations
The portal provides GVP customers an interactive Public
Relations Box managed by a user friendly 'Enterprise Content
Management System' that allows clients to upload their press
releases, photos, videos and management profiles. The latest
networking add-ons and social media applications are
integrated within the site providing maximum reach and feedback.
The value proposition for subscribers to gvpedia.com
essentially covers four elements: exposure, expertise, exclusivity
and networking.
REGIONAL HEAD OFFICES
Bangalore Brussels Cairo Casablanca Copenhagen Dubai
With its mission to serve as the premier platform for showcasing and networking the world's top brands and companiesin business, tourism and lifestyle, Global Village Partnerships (GVP) is building an atlas of success, sustainability and
culture. This is carried out through the 'Best of' book series, the Global Village online information portal and thedevelopment of an ever expanding business network of international partners and clients.
Turnover 2008 Employees & Partners Circulation International Head offices Management
US$ 8 000 000 100 500 000 London, Brussels Sven Boermeester
Dubai, Cairo Lisa Durante
Bangalore, Singapore Charles Neil
Washington DC, Santiago Leon Swartz
Sydney, Johannesburg Warren Haley
Market
Promote and network the 'red apples" within
each economy
GVP’s market sectors embrace publishing,
public relations, corporate gifting, online
community building and networking. Its
target market covers large, medium and
small entrepreneurial organisations
enjoying growth, success and sustainability.
GVP explores every geographic region to
pick the 'red apples' in business, exports,
innovation, design, fashion, retail,
hospitality, specialty foods, the arts
and more.
Unique Selling Point (USP)
New markets create new business
opportunities
GVP publications promote, showcase and
network successful economies, organisations
and individuals from across the globe. The
organisation celebrates success and provides
recognition amongst its ever expanding
international network of influential clients. Its
online portal, www.gvpedia.com, provides a
platform for clients and readers to network,
share best practice and grow new markets,
creating exciting new business connections
and opportunities.
Corporate Social Responsibility
There is no success without ethics and
sustainability
The best of world business, travel and
lifestyle within the Global Village is dependent
on more than monetary profit. There is no
success without core values such as
sustainability, integrity and Corporate
Social Responsibility (CSR). GVP’s
exclusive client base is selected by
invitation only based on these criteria,
with the added focus of dedicated
chapters covering CSR, sustainability,
green innovation and giving back to
the community.
Growth and Opportunity
Exchanging knowledge, skills and economies
of scale in media
With regional head offices in 5 continents,
the organisation is currently involved in
more than 30 territories where the
'Best of' series is published. GVP has a
5-year growth plan to develop a further
150 economic territories organically,
through each continent’s regional head
office, and through partnerships with
companies and individuals that have
the expertise to showcase their city, state
or country.
Dubai Johannesburg London Santiago Singapore Sydney Washington DC
Sven Boermeester, Chairman with Lisa Durante, Managing Partner, GVP
www.gvpedia.com
Best of Belgium6
Best of Belgium Distribution Partners
Federal Government and Regional Export Organisations
Belgian Chambers of Commerce
Belgian Chambers of Commerce abroad
Hotels
Vlaamsnetwerk vanondernemingen
Best
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Best of Belgium 7
BrusselsYou thought you knew it...
Foreword from the Brussels-Capital Region
Brussels will never cease to surprise you.
A national and European capital, it is
now giving itself the means to achieve its
ambitions and entering fully into the modern
world with an ambitious International
Development Plan.
Brussels is a major city on a human
scale, officially bilingual but in reality
polyglot. The Capital of Europe is a
crossroads of nationalities, a model of
welcome and diversity, and a byword for
dynamism and quality.
Its open socio-economic environment,
the high skill levels of its population, the
quality of its infrastructures, the wide range of
properties available, its quality of life and its
cultural richness have made Brussels one of
the most pleasant cities to live and work in.
Brussels is changing to meet the challenges
of a globalised city.
Brussels has just set itself an
International Development Plan, which
timetables the numerous actions to allow
Brussels to better satisfy the desires of its
inhabitants and visitors.
Alongside the creation of new housing,
businesses and offices, the International
Development Plan provides for the creation
of major infrastructures to help increase
the appeal of Brussels still further: a huge
conference centre, an expansive shopping
centre, a large concert hall (15,000 seats),
a multi-function stadium with 60,000 seats,
etc. Strategic locations such as the European
Quarter, the Heysel Plateau and the area
around Gare du Midi, the gateway to the
city, will be renovated in order to make them
highly attractive poles of development.
The International Development Plan
involves a major drive based around City
Marketing, in order to strengthen the
promotion of Brussels abroad so that the
world is aware of all the resources that
Brussels has to offer.
So, come and feel the pulse of tomorrow’s
Europe for yourself.
You will discover a warm city offering open
arms to the world, a city of creativity where
culture is found as much on the streets as in
prestigious museums.
A global city where everyone is at home.
Best of Belgium8
Foreword by Minister-PresidentKris Peeters, Flemish Government
Dear reader,
Flanders is the number two region in Europe
for foreign direct investment. This ranking was
reported in early 2008 by the Financial Times’
magazine-report on foreign direct investment.
No doubt this ranking is the result of a clear
vision on Flanders’ socio-economic future
and its commitment to take firm action. And
Flanders continues to create an increasing
number of opportunities for foreign investors.
Flanders is a prosperous region. Compared
to other nations worldwide, our education
system, health and welfare facilities, cultural
agenda and mobility and communication
infrastructure are of the highest quality. We
work hard to keep Flanders’ prosperity at
this high level in our rapidly changing world.
Flanders in Action - safeguarding the future
To cope adequately with future challenges, we
have launched ‘Flanders in Action’, a number
of coordinated socio-economic initiatives
that optimize Flanders’ key strengths. Within
this framework, we strive to maximize the
full potential of our already highly reputed
workforce. Its creative, innovative and
entrepreneurial mindset is essential to
Flanders’ future. We also look inward and
continue to upgrade the services that our
government administration has to offer. And
as an open-minded region, we stay on top
of new trends and new ideas from every
corner of our globalized world. Sustainability
is a focal point in all of our initiatives. This is
especially so for the further development of
our central, geographical position in Europe
and, more specifically, for our transport
connections with the European hinterland.
Flanders Port Area - streamlining
our gateways
Flanders is world-famous for its role as
a major gateway to Europe. Our region
holds no less than four seaports: Antwerp,
Zeebrugge, Ghent and Ostend. Each
of them plays a world-leading role in its
own specialist niche, from the chemical
industry to the transshipment of new cars,
the import of citrus fruit juices and much,
much more. Under the umbrella ‘Flanders
Port Area’, these ports have formed a
unique strategic alliance to cooperate. By
streamlining their operations, they increase
the efficiency of the services that are relied
upon by the many multinationals based in or
around these prime gateways to Europe.
Creating a business-friendly environment
Flanders aspires to create a business-
friendly environment for companies from
all industries and from all over the world.
Have a look at what Flanders’ knowledge-
based, innovation-driven economy has to
offer today. I’m confident you’ll be amazed
at how many different market segments
can be found in such a small territory.
Yours truly,
Kris Peeters
Minister-president of Flanders
Fo
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Best of Belgium 9
Foreword by Rudy Demotte, Minister-President of the Walloon GovernmentWallonia, a region to invest in!
In institutional terms, Wallonia is a federated
entity with very extensive powers and
autonomy, offering investors a remarkable
degree of proximity to its political
leaders, who are very acutely aware of
the importance of creating sustainable
businesses and business partners.
On top of all this, the people of Wallonia
are open and welcoming, living in a region
full of history, tradition and fine cuisine
where the preserved spaces are testament
to a living spirit of real warmth. Come and
(re)discover it for yourself!
Did you know that the number 1 in digital
cinema equipment is a Walloon company?
That the most amazing James Bond or
Harry Potter scenes were filmed using
flying cameras made in Liège? That the
voice technology used in the BMW Series
5 or the Mercedes Class S is produced
by a company in Mons? Perhaps you’re
unaware that 90% of the world market in
radioisotopes, used in medical diagnostics,
derives from a spin-off in Louvain-la-Neuve,
or that every second 35 doses of vaccines
are produced in Genval and distributed all
over the world. But perhaps you may have
heard that 95% of the slow-motion replays
at the Beijing Olympics will be provided by
a Walloon technology. We mention all of
these examples simply to let you know that
Wallonia is a region of success stories.
Wallonia is also a region that is very
open to the rest of the world, and one
whose appeal is internationally recognised.
Thus, an analysis conducted in March
2008 by the Economist Intelligence Unit
ranked Belgium in 5th place worldwide
for flows of direct foreign investment,
and in 2nd place in Europe. It concluded
that within Belgium, it is Wallonia that
offers foreign investors “the greatest
growth potential of the three regions”.
The foreign investment statistics speak
for themselves in this regard. And behind
the numbers, recent months have been
marked by some famous names: Baxter,
Johnson & Johnson, Google and Microsoft.
This popularity has not come about by
chance. Wallonia enjoys an exceptional
location, at the very heart of Europe
and on the intersection between its
three capitals: Brussels, Strasbourg and
Luxembourg. 65% of the European market
is within immediate reach, with 400 million
consumers capable of being reached in a
day. Against this background, Wallonia has
plenty of space to offer – 13,500 hectares
of new land currently being readied for
business and research – at prices that defy
competition (between 10 and 50 /m²).
All this territory is served by the densest
road networks in the world, along with
an expanding waterways system and
two thriving regional airports in Liège and
Charleroi (500,000 tonnes of freight and
more than 2.5 million passengers) with
exceptionally good accessibility.
Wallonia is also a very favourable
environment for business. In addition to the
fiscal measures taken at Belgian level, the
Walloon government has implemented an
intelligent tax system by doing away with all
regional, provincial and local taxes hindering
economic growth. There have also been
important measures to reduce inheritance
and gift taxes. The strength of our region
also lies in its citizens, who are well-trained
and deliver productivity above the European
average. There is a strong emphasis on
innovation, with 9 universities, 300 research
centres and some 11,000 researchers.
This research activity is closely linked with
business, as witnessed in particular by our
5 competitiveness clusters which provide
active networking in the domains where
we can stand out as a European or even a
world leader: life sciences, agro-industry,
mechanical engineering, transport/logistics,
and aeronautics and space technology.
Best of Belgium10
the city’s landmark 1958 World Fair
which launched Belgium’s capital onto
the world stage as a modern, highly
successful city and the capital of Europe.
The city celebrated in 2008 with year-
long events, exhibitions and festivities
which recalled an era of optimism,
scientific progress and peace.
Antwerp, Europe’s second-largest
port and a vital cog in Belgium’s highly
integrated transportation infrastructure,
grew by an impressive 10% in 2007,
processing 182 million tonnes of freight
from almost 17,000 cargo ships. The
city is also the world’s diamond capital,
handling more than 50% of the world’s
rough and cut diamonds. The Antwerp
diamond sector had an annual turnover
of $39 billion in 2007 and diamond sales
accounted for 8% of Belgian exports.
In Liège, the economic and cultural
centre of Wallonia, the new railway
station designed by architect Santiago
Calatrava, is nearing completion.
This monumental piece of modern
architecture is made of steel, glass and
white concrete and is characterised by a
huge flowing vault 200 meters long and
35 meters high.
Politically the period 2007 to 2008 has
been one of uncertainty at the federal
level following the June 2007 elections
while Belgium’s three regions — the
Brussels Capital Region, Flanders and
Wallonia — continue to prosper in an
environment of regional stability and
autonomy. Current prime-minister Yves
Leterme’s government has the difficult
task of negotiating constitutional reforms
to devolve more powers to Belgium’s
regions.
In the Arts, acclaimed Belgian visual
artist Jan De Cock showcased his work
at New York’s Museum of Modern Art
(MoMA) in 2008 while Luc Tuymans
continues his influence as one of the
most significant painters working today.
A number of Arts festivals in Flanders,
Wallonie and Brussels showcased
world-class performers in classical and
contemporary music, dance and theatre.
Belgium’s internationally sought-after
dance companies such as Rosas, the
Royal Ballet of Flanders and Charleroi /
Danses impressed audiences with their
quality, originality and creative genius.
The International Film Festival Ghent, the
Brussels-based Kunstenfestivaldesarts
and off course the Queen Elizabeth
Competition for Music were notable
highlights of the Arts calendar. And
Belgium has a vibrant, stable and
diversified economy with growth rates
consistently above the European
average, strong corporate investment
and vigorous export performance
despite the recent global economic
slowdown. In 2007 the country posted
GDP growth of 2.8% in comparison
to the Euro zone average of 2.6%.
Corporate investment increased by
5% and exports rose 3.8% annually
to 236 billion. The leading export
sector was chemicals while iron and
steel exports, machinery, automobiles,
diamonds and specialty foods, notably
chocolate and beer, performed strongly.
Unemployment dropped by 9.5% in
2007 as the economy created 74,000
new jobs, thanks largely to the country’s
burgeoning small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs).
Belgium’s top companies continued
to set the standard in 2008. Europe’s
premier brewer InBev announced that
it and U.S. brewery giant Anheuser-
Busch have agreed to merge, which
will form the world’s largest brewer
by volume with the world’s leading
beer brands such as Budweiser, Stella
Artois and Beck’s. Chemicals, plastics
and pharmaceuticals leader Solvay
posted record company results for the
fourth year running while Bekaert, a
global leader in steel cord manufacture,
expanded its steel investments in
China. Belgium’s top construction
company has nearly finished building
the world’s tallest tower, the Burj Dubai,
while Belgian dredging companies are
involved in building whole islands in
the Middle East. Belgium’s numerous
niche companies are applying advanced
technology in cooperation with local
universities and research institutes.
Companies like LMS International,
ICOS Vision Systems and EVS have
become absolute leaders in their fields.
In biotech, the Flanders Institute of
Biotechnology is powering ahead—
especially in agro biotech, Belgian
scientists and companies are world
leaders.
Brussels, Europe’s capital and
the headquarters of all the main EU
institutions as well the European base
of hundreds of multinational companies,
was rated the most productive
metropolitan region in Europe with the
2nd highest GDP per capita (behind
Luxembourg). This year Brussels also
celebrated the 50th anniversary of
Taking a closer look at the best of Belgian achievementsBelgian achievements in 2007 and 2008 in a range of different areas —
the economy, the arts, industry, fashion, hospitality, specialty foods, science and
technology and more — provide examples of best practice from the heart of Europe.
at the international theatre festival in
Avignon, Belgian performers were the
talk of the town.
In Sport, Belgian tennis champion
Justine Henin became the first reigning
World No 1 to retire from professional
tennis while holding the world’s top
ranking. In football, Belgium has
expressed interest in a joint bid to
host the 2018 Fifa World Cup with the
Netherlands.
Welcome to Belgium!
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Best of Belgium16
Fast Facts Belgium©
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Capital city
Brussels
Area
30,528 sq km
Government
Federal constitutional monarchy and
bicameral parliamentary democracy
Population
10,5 million
Time Zone
CET (Central European Time)
Current GDP growth
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Best of Belgium 17
Exchange Rate
One US$ = 1.58 (July 17th 2008)
Country Dialing Code
+32
Internet domain
.be
Geography
Belgium has three main geographical regions:
the coastal plain in the north-west (polders at
or below sea level), the central plateau (fertile
smooth valleys), and the Ardennes uplands
(forested plateau) in the south-east. Belgium
shares borders with France, Germany,
Luxembourg, and Netherlands.
Climate
The climate is maritime temperate, with
significant precipitation in all seasons
Banks and foreign exchange
Belgium’s financial institutions are world-
class, with no shortage of banks, bureaux de
change and automatic tellers.
Credit cards and cash
All major credit cards can be used in
Belgium, with American Express and
Diners Club enjoying less universal
acceptance than MasterCard and
Visa. Smaller retailers, restaurants and
bars typically accept cash only.
Telecommunications
Belgium has a highly developed,
technologically advanced communications
infrastructure. The main fixed-line operators
have made rapid progress building their ‘Next
Generation’ networks (i.e. high-bandwidth
IP network for voice, data, video, TV). There
are three mobile phone service providers
with national coverage. Broadband internet
penetration is close to 20% of households.
International Institutions and Embassies
Brussels is home to the European
Commission, NATO and a range of other
international organizations. As such, Brussels
is a major diplomatic center, with most major
countries not only being represented by
embassies but also by diplomatic missions to
the EU.
Medical facilities
Belgium is recognized for its world-class
medical expertise and facilities.
Inflation
3,64% (est. 02/2008)
Official languages
Dutch (approx. 60% of the population)
French (approx. 40% of the population)
German (<1% of the population)
Religion
Traditionally the vast majority of the Belgian
population is Roman Catholic but less than
8% practice. Close to 30% of the population
consider themselves agnostic. Islam is an
important religion (approx. 4%). Also there
are small minorities of Protestants and Jews.
Currency
EURO
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