In the context of the Belgian economic mission to the UK, nine Belgian companies took the opportunity to sign post-Brexit trade agreements in person with UK businesses. Of these, two are Brussels companies.
Bopro, which offers real estate advice and project management with an emphasis on sustainability, reinforced its relations with the BRE (British Research Establishment), responsible for the coveted BREEAM certification for environmentally-friendly buildings.
The European Data Protection Office (EDPO) and the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain (BLCC) also strengthened their partnership, with a view to guaranteeing better data protection.
“These nine agreements testify to the entrepreneurial spirit of our two countries and their strong desire to rebuild economic ties,” said Fabienne L’Hoost, director-general of the Belgian Foreign Trade Agency, at the ceremony attended by Princess Astrid.
The two companies to sign agreements with British ones are Bopro and European Data Protection Office (EDPO). Photo by Helen Lyons.
Moving beyond Brexit
In the post-Brexit landscape, EU Member States are largely on their own when it comes to facilitating trade with the UK.
The Belgian economic mission to the UK was a chance for the country to rebuild bridges and build new ones, with high-ranking ministers from all three of Belgium’s regions in attendance, in addition to the Princess.
Related News
- Brussels: Ministers sing the praises of Europe's cosmopolitan capital
- Belgium – UK economic mission: Bringing business in line with human and climate targets
- Belgian mission to the United Kingdom seeks to rebuild economic ties post-Brexit
As part of the mission, policymakers and stakeholders held panels and discussions in addition to formal networking events intended to facilitate connections between entrepreneurs, companies, labour unions and government bodies.
Nine Belgian companies signed agreements in the presence of Princess Astrid and top ministers. Photo by Helen Lyons.
Brussels Secretary of State for Foreign Trade and International Relations Pascal Smet presented the Belgian capital as a city especially poised for economic growth achieved through close collaboration with London and the UK.
