On 21 February 2013, the British Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the British Embassy and UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), launched the Building your Business in Belgium (BBB) scheme – an integrated service for companies new to the Belgian marketplace.
The scheme provides a ‘safe landing’ to companies doing business in Belgium for the first time through professional advice, expertise and services that complement those provided to UK exporters by UKTI and the British Embassy.
The event was hosted by Jonathan Brenton, HM Ambassador to Belgium and was attended by UK and international business professionals who welcomed this new initiative.
Belgium may not be as well known as some other global markets, but it is an open and dynamic export market for British goods and services. It is the UK’s 6th highest export partner worldwide (Source: Hm Revenue & Customs, October 2011).
“It is an ideal place for the first time exporter and a great stepping stone to the rest of Europe” says Jonathan Brenton, HM Ambassador to Belgium, “English is widely accepted, and there are quick and easy communications and connections with the UK and the rest of mainland Europe”. He added that increased export/import activities will benefit overall economic growth in both countries.
“The Chamber’s partnership with UK Government is a great example of how business can work with the public sector to provide a better joined up service for UK businesses” explains Glynis Whiting, President of the British Chamber in Belgium. “We look forward to playing our part in helping the much needed export led growth in Europe”.
Another initiative that supports business in Belgium is the The Golden Bridge Awards, launched by the British Chamber last year and also supported by UKTI. It is an annual award that recognises the most successful UK companies doing business in Belgium. Open to both service and manufacturing companies, the award aims to encourage more exports to Belgium by UK companies and also to give British products and services a higher profile at the heart of the EU.
The Awards are operated in partnership with the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain, which has run a successful scheme since 1997 recognising the success of companies from Belgium and Luxembourg exporting to the UK.
For more information, please contact:
British Chamber of Commerce in Belgium Boulevard Bischoffsheim 11 1000 Brussels T +32 (0)2 540 90 30 Joanna De Keyser- Business Development Executive[email protected]
Or visit:www.britcham.be
