King Philippe to lead domestic trade mission to strengthen ties between Flanders and Wallonia
King Philippe will lead a domestic trade mission later this month. This is a first: normally, he leads only major missions abroad. The aim is to strengthen cooperation between economic actors in Flanders and Wallonia, according to a press release from the palace.
The mission – on 21 and 22 April – is being organised by the Flemish and Walloon employers’ organisations Voka and AFT, and will bring together forty business leaders from both regions in Belgium. The aim is to strengthen cooperation between economic actors from the north and south of the country.
“In a context of an uncertain international economic climate, it is essential to increase our resilience,” the palace states. “Even more so than France or the Netherlands, Flanders and Wallonia are each other’s most important trading partners. Each region has different, yet largely complementary strengths and needs, which offers great potential for synergies and growth.”
A large majority of Belgian companies are active in the different regions in one way or another, but there is still room for progress. “Whilst Wallonia has space and a workforce, currently in short supply in Flanders, Flanders offers expertise, investment capacity and logistical strengths from which Wallonia can benefit fully.”
The king will visit various companies on both sides of the language border, such as ODOO, IBA, DEME, Sonaca, Barco, Renson and VPK. The topics to be discussed include biopharma, defence, the circular economy and innovation.
#FlandersNewsService | King Philippe of Belgium © BELGA PHOTO VIRGINIE LEFOUR
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