Activities

Every Belgian Economic Mission starts with the information session where the delegation members are welcomed by the Belgian representatives in the United Kingdom. Participants also receive their individual programmes at this activity.

The schedule of the information session is as follows:

Introductory speech by HE Bruno van der Pluijm, Ambassador of Belgium in the United Kingdom
Information about the business programme and business tips by the regional Economic and Commercial Attachés in London
Welcome networking drink

The schedule of the breakfast debate is as follows:

07:00 Registration & breakfast buffet
07:25 Welcome by Max Jadot, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of BNP Paribas Fortis
07:30 Opening words by HE Tinne Van der Straeten, Minister of Energy
07:40 Keynote on the outlook for the UK economy by Paul Hollingsworth, Chief Economist BNP Paribas UK
08:00 Panel discussion on opportunities and challenges of doing business in UK moderated by Simon Gates, Head of Corporate Clients, BNP Paribas UK and with Daan Schalck, CEO North Sea Port, Paul De Bruycker, CEO Indaver, Anne Marie Verstraeten, Country Head BNPP UK and Michel Vanhoonacker, Chairman Belgian - Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain
08:40 Q&A
08:50 Concluding remarks by Annemarie Verstraeten, Country Head BNP Paribas UK

The schedule of the success stories breakfast is as follows:

07:40 Arrival of the invited Belgian business delegation and their local partner
08:00 Arrival of HRH Princess Astrid and Ministers. Welcome by Bart De Smet, President of FEB and Pieter Timmermans, CEO of FEB
08:05 Words of welcome by Pieter Timmermans
08:10 Testimonial by each invited Belgian business leader
08:50 Conclusions by Bart De Smet
08:55 Group picture
09:00 Departure of HRH Princess Astrid and Ministers

The Trade Commissioners of FIT, AWEX and hub.brussels have organised a personal B2B programme for you, which you will receive at the Information Session on Sunday 8 May 2022. Should you not have received your programme yet, please go to the secretariat of the mission.

The schedule of the activity is as follows:

PART 1

09:00 Registration of the guests
09:30 Opening of the seminar by Diego Algaba
09:40 Welcome words by the President of the Club Nicolas Bourdon
09:50 Pitches by the member companies
11:00 Debate
 

PART 2

11:30 Arrival of HRH Princess Astrid and Ministers. Welcome by Nicolas Bourdon, President of the Agoria Sports & Entertainment Technology Club, Wilfried Meert, President of Memorial Van Damme, Kim Gevaert (ex-athlete), Tournament Director of Memorial Van Damme
11:35 Welcome words by Nicolas Bourdon and Wilfried Meert including short interview with the ex-Olympic athlete Kim Gevaert
11:45 Speech by HE Pascal Smet, State Secretary of the Brussels-Capital Region
11:55 Speech by John Crabtree OBE, President of the UK Commonwealth Games 2022 organizing committee and TBC Lord Sebastian Coe
12:05 Showcase “Best of Belgium Sports Technology”
12:15 Photo opportunity
12:20 Departure of HRH Princess Astrid and Ministers

The schedule of the activity is as follows:

09:20 Arrival of HRH Princess Astrid and Ministers and welcome by Paul Gheysens, CEO, Ria Vandoorne, CEO, Marie-Julie Gheysens, Manager Ghelamco UK and Michael Gheysens, Manager Ghelamco Belgium
09:25 Presentation on the activities and projects of Ghelamco – We create the Future Today
09:35 Live Stream of The Arc – First UK mixed use development of Ghelamco in UK
09:40 Introduction of the panel : Future Proofing in Real Estate : Cities that Unleash Positive Human Energy by Chris Sanderson, Future Laboratory together with Marie-Julie Gheysens
09:50 Photo opportunity next to the project model – The Arc
09:55 Departure of HRH Princess Astrid and Ministers

09:30  Registration of guests
10:00  Welcome by Theo Blackwell MBE, Chief Digital Officer for London
10:05  “Introduction to the London Life Sciences ecosystem” by Dr. Ivana Poparic, Head of Life Sciences Cluster Development MedCity
10:15  “Introduction to the Belgian Life Sciences ecosystem” by Yves  Verschueren, Director General at Essenscia
10:25  Pitches by UK Companies
11:30  Networking coffee break
12:00  Pitches by Belgian Companies
13:15  Networking lunch
14:00  Panel “Digital Health and Collaboration Belgium-UK
Moderator: Medcity
15:30  Networking coffee break
16:00  Panel “Research and evidence generation for digital technologies - pathway to a successful launch in the UK”  
Moderator: UCLPartners
17:00 Closing remarks by Dr. Ivana Poparic, Head of Life Sciences Cluster Development MedCity
17:05 Networking drinks

The schedule of the activity is as follows:

10:00 Arrival of the guests and welcome coffee
10:30 Welcome and introduction by TBC 
10:35 Highlight of the cleantech sector in the UK by Martin Garratt, CEO of Cambridge Cleantech
10:45 Highlight of the cleantech sector in Belgium by Gilles Colson, Head of International Affairs & Marketing at Greenwin and Charlotte Struye, Deputy Director at Cleantech Flanders
          Energy with a focus on Hydrogen
11:00 Materials Research by Dr. Lata Sahonta, Research Manager at Energy Transitions Interdisciplinary Research Centre of the University of Cambridge
11:10 Industry view from a corporate by Kalyan Sarma, External Innovation Manager at Johnson Matthey 
11:20 Case study by Aran Bates, co-Founder of Hydrologiq
11:25 Case study by Peter Grognard, Managing Director at Von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics     
11:30 Q&A followed by a break                 
          Smart Cities with a focus on green buildings
12:00 Research highlight by Prof. Jennifer Schooling, Director of the Centre for Smart Infrastructure, University of Cambridge
12:10 Industry view by Oliver Smith, Director at 5th Studio
12:20 Case study by Rozalie Ryclova, Co-founder and COO at Thermulon (TBC)
12:25 Case study by Olivier Mal, Marketing Director at AGC Solar        
12:30 Q&A                     
13:00 Networking Lunch   
14:00 Start of the afternoon sessions:
ROOM 1 Roundtable: “Retrofitting for private and public buildings: the challenges and rewards”
ROOM 2 Roundtable: “Energy with a focus on Hydrogen – Energy policies; is hydrogen part of the solution or THE solution?” 
15:00 Networking 
15:30 Bus tour around the modern facilities

The schedule of the lunch is as follows:

12:00 Arrival of the British guests and welcome drink
12:30 Arrival of HRH Princess Astrid of Belgium and the Ministers
12:35 Brief welcome by HE Bruno van der Pluijm
12:37 Introduction speech by Tinne Van der Straeten, Minister of Energy
12:45 First course is served
12:55 “Doing Business in Belgium” by Peter Peumans, CTO Health Technologies at IMEC
13:10 Main course is served
13:21 “Doing Business in Belgium” by Roger Connor, President of Vaccines and Global Health at GSK
13:32 Dessert is served
13:42 Closing remarks by HE Pascal Smet, State Secretary of the Brussels-Capital Region
13:45 Dessert, coffee and tea are served
14:00 Departure of HRH Princess Astrid of Belgium and the Ministers

The schedule of the seminar is as follows:

PART 1
Business seminar “The ins and outs of the UK food & beverage market”

13:45 Registration of participants
14:00 BE-UK trade in food & beverages post-Brexit by Ilke Bliki, Brexit Coordinator at FIT
14:30 Insights in UK retail landscape & consumer trends for Belgian food and beverages by Simon Waring, UK retail expert and food marketing consultant Green Seed
15:00 E-commerce in the UK: logistics, regulations and opportunities for Belgian food and beverage producers by Daan Devlieger, Director Global Trade Advisory, Deloitte
15:30 Network opportunity

PART 2
High-level seminar

16:15 Arrival of the guests
16:25 Arrival of HRH Princess Astrid and Ministers. Welcome by Bart Buysse, CEO of the Federation of the Belgian Food Industry (Fevia)
16:27 Speech by HE Tinne Van der Straeten, Minister of Energy
16:32 The British-Belgian trade in food & beverages: partnership for economic recovery by Bart Buysse, Dominic Goudie, Head of International Trade of the Food & Drink Federation, Filip Fontaine, CEO of the Flanders' Agricultural Marketing Board (VLAM) and Phil Hadley, Director for International Market Development at the British Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board
16:52 Impact of the Covid-crisis and Brexit on the UK retail and consumer trends: opportunities for Belgian food companies by Simon Waring, Managing Director Green Seed UK
17:05 Food logistics:
Shipping food & beverages to the UK via Zeebrugge by Tom Hautekiet, CCO of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges
Food & beverage logistics & warehousing solutions by Alain Meunier, Advisor to the Board Committee, Weerts Supply Chain
17:10 Closing remarks by HE Jan Jambon, Minister-President of the Government of Flanders
17:15 Departure of HRH Princess Astrid and Ministers

14:30 Arrival of HRH Princess Astrid and Ministers. Welcome by General Sir Adrian Bradshaw KCB OBE DL, Governor of the Royal Hospital. Short explanations on the Chelsea Pensioners Royal Hospital and its history
14:33 Walk to the Ranelagh Gardens via the Garden Gate. Explanations on the history of the Royal Horticultural Society and the Chelsea Flower Show by Gemma Lake, Chelsea Show Manager
14:37 Meet and greet with three In-Pensioners
14:40 Welcome by HE Hilde Crevits, Vice-Minister-President of the Flemish Government and Filip Fontaine, CEO VLAM
14:41 Walk down to the Belgian garden, followed by a meet and greet with the Belgian horticultural companies
14:45 Short address by HE Hilde Crevits
14:47 Ribbon cutting followed by a photo opportunity
14:50 Introduction to the garden by architect Peter Wirtz, explanation on the chosen plants and Belgian horticulture
14:55 Walk to the vehicles
14:56 Signing of the golden book
15:00 Departure of HRH Princess Astrid and Ministers

The schedule of the meeting is as follows:

Arrival of HRH Princess Astrid and Ministers and welcome by TBC
Transfer to the Ambassador’s waiting room on the first floor
Welcoming by The Rt Hon James Cleverly MP
Photo opportunity
Meeting
Departure of HRH Princess Astrid and Ministers

The schedule of the activity is as follows:

16:00 Arrival of the guests
16:10 Opening speech by Mrs Isabelle Grippa
16:20 Welcoming words by Professor Benoît Kohl, President of CEPANI
16:30 Keynote speech on Arbitration and Digitalisation: a perfect match by Dirk De Meulemeester, Honorary President CEPANI
16:50 Testimonials by :

• Alexander Uff (Quadrant)
• Kathleen Paisley (Ambos law)
• Claire Morel de Westgaver (Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner)

17:20 Closing notes by Jacomijn van Haersolte-van Hof, Director General of the LCIA
17:30 Q&A
17:45 Networking cocktail

The schedule of the Belgian official reception is as follows:

19:00 Arrival of the guests
19:30 Arrival of HRH Princess Astrid and Ministers and welcome by Alderman William Russell, Lord Mayor of the City of London 2019-2020
19:45 Speech by HRH Princess Astrid, Representative of His Majesty the King

07:45 Registration of guests
08:00 Breakfast served
08:10 Welcome by Mr. Marc Adriansens, President of Association Port of Zeebrugge Interests (APZI)
08:15 Opening words by HE Jan Jambon, Minister-President of the Government of Flanders
08:20 ‘Zeebrugge, your ideal gateway to the UK’ by Mr. Tom Hautekiet, Chief Commercial Officer Port of Antwerp-Bruges
08:25 West Flanders Logistic Gateway to Europe by Mr. Pieter Decloedt, Coordinator Transport & Logistics POM West-Vlaanderen
08:35 Testimonial 1 by Emma Wilesmith, Logistics Manager Ireland, Meals & 2XL Mondele
08:45 Testimonial 2 by Sofie Dubois, Customers Service & Logistics Manager Soubry
08:55 Closing remarks by APZI
09:00 Networking

The Trade Commissioners of FIT, AWEX and hub.brussels have organised a personal B2B programme for you, which you will receive at the Information Session on Sunday 5 September 2021. Should you not have received your programme yet, please go to the secretariat of the mission.

The schedule of the activity is as follows:

PART 1

08:00 Registrations of guests
08:30 Arrival of HRH Princess Astrid and Ministers and welcome by HE Pascal Smet and Johan Beerlandt, Executive Chairman of Besix Group
08:35 Welcome by Gabriel Uzgen, CEO BESIX RED - Chair ULI Belgium & Luxembourg
08:40 Official speech by HE Pascal Smet, State Secretary of the Brussels-Capital Region
08:50 Keynote speech: Roadmap to Net-zero by Marylis Ramos from Savills Earth
09:10 Departure of HRH Princess Astrid and Ministers
09:15 First panel “London and Brussels face the challenges of the 21^st century”:
Steven Beckers, Circular Economy Expert at BoPro
Sebastian Moreno Vacca, Architect and Founding Partner at A2M
Ami Kotecha, Co-Founder, Amro Real Estate Partners
Moderator: Megan Walters, Global Head of Research, Allianz Real Estate

PART 2

10:00 Coffee break
10:25 Second panel “How bio-based materials can both decarbonize buildings and increase value?”:
Steven Ware, Architect and Senior Partner at Art Build
Stephan Kampelmann, Managing Director at Sonian Wood Coop
Raymund Trost, CEO CFE at Woodshapers Ron Bakker, Founding Partner at PLP Architecture Ana Gatóo PhD Candidate in Architecture at Centre for Natural Material Innovation
Pertti Vanhanen, Managing Director Europe, at Cromwell European Management Services Limited
Moderator: Steven Ware, Architect and Senior Partner at Art Build

11:10 Third panel “Today, renovation is an economic and environmental necessity”:
Sunita Van Heers, Managing Director at Sureal
Michael Moradiellos, Head of Real Estate at EPEA Benelux
Sheelam Chadha, Country Director Belgium, Atenor
Anette Simpson, Director of development and partnerships, Legal & General Affordable Home - Chair of ULI
Moderator: Hala El-Akl, Senior Director for ESG and Operations, Oxford Properties Group

11:55 Closing remarks by Anette Simpson, Director of Development and Partnerships, Legal & General Affordable Home - Chair of ULI United Kingdom

12:15 Walking lunch

The schedule of the activity is as follows:

09:00 Arrival of the delegation
09:15 Arrival of HRH Princess Astrid and Ministers
09:17 Welcome by UK Envoy for Migration and Modern Slavery, Andrew Patrick
09:22 Speech by HE Tinne Van der Straeten, Minister for Energy
09:29 Introduction/Scene-Setter by Prof. Dr. Jan Wouters, Professor of International Law, Director Leuven Centre for Global Governance Studies, KU Leuven
09:35 Panel discussion with Belgian and UK executives on exploring challenges/best practices in implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights moderated by Prof. Dr. Jan Wouters
Panelists: Mrs. Elisabeth Van Damme, Director External Communication & Diplomatic relations, GSK Belgium, Mr. Charles Snoeck, IDH Foundation, on Beyond Chocolate, the Partnership for a sustainable Belgian chocolate industry and Mr. Francis West, Business Engagement Director Shift
10:00 Wrap-up of the main takeaways and closing remarks by Prof. Dr. Jan Wouters

The schedule of the activity is as follows:

10:00 Registration of guests arriving via the private entrance
10:40 Arrival of HRH Princess Astrid and Ministers and welcome by HE Jan Jambon, Minister-President of the Government of Flanders and Esther Teeken - Chief Operating Officer of Institute of Directors
10:45 Opening words by HE Tinne Van der Straeten, Minister of Energy
10:50 Presentation on ‘What have we learned in the last year and what is to come? Import from Europe into the UK.’ by Stephen Webb, UK Customs - Border readiness
11:05 Presentation on ‘What have we learned in the last year and what is still to come? Export from Belgium to the UK.’ by Kristian Vanderwaeren, Administator General at FPS Finances-Customs & Excise
11:20 Departure of HRH Princess Astrid and Ministers and refreshments
11:35 Panel discussion with Daan De Vlieger, Director at Deloitte Global Trade Advisory Belgium, TBC Kuehne & Nagel, Sioen, Ilke Bliki and Gerlinde Verdult, Senior Manager Global Trade Compliance at UCB
12:15 Q&A
12:25 Closing remarks by HE Jan Jambon, Minister-President of the Government of Flanders
12:30 Networking

The schedule of the activity is as follows:

10:00 Registration of guests and welcome coffee
10:30 Welcoming remarks from a TBC high-level UK representative
10:40 Belgian and UK company showcase presentations including presentations by the Belgian Life Sciences clusters
11:30 Networking break
12:00 Belgian and UK company showcase presentations including presentations by the Belgian Life Sciences clusters
13:00 Walking networking lunch
14:00 Panel discussion: “Issues, challenges, opportunities and solutions post-TCA” (The EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement): an in-depth discussion about the financial issues post-Brexit and how fundraising has changed
15:30 Closing remarks by TBC
15:35 Networking drink

The schedule of the activity is as follows:

PART 1

11:00 Arrival of the Belgian business delegation
11:35 Arrival of HRH Princess Astrid and Ministers and welcome by TBC Johanna Whittington, Director General Energy and Security
11:40 Welcome address by TBC The Rt Hon. Kwasi Kwarteng, UK Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
11:45 Speech by HE Tinne Van der Straeten, Minister for Energy
11:50 “Role and activities of The Crown Estate” by Will Apps, Head of Marine Development The Crown Estate
12:00 “Best of Belgium Energy Technology” by Pieter-Jan Provoost, Director of the Agoria Energy Technology Club
12:05 Showcases by Chris Peeters, CEO Elia and Bart De Poorter, General Manger DEME Offshore
12:10 Photo opportunity for HRH Princess Astrid, both Ministers, all speakers and Stuart Broadley, CEO of the Energy Industries Council
12:25 Departure of HRH Princess Astrid and Ministers

PART 2

12:30 Light networking lunch
13:30 Departure of the business delegation

The schedule of the lunch is as follows:

12:00 Arrival of the invited Belgian business delegation and welcome cocktail 
12:35 Arrival of HRH Princess Astrid and Ministers. Welcome by Catherine Murphy, Club Secretary  and Pieter Timmermans, CEO of FEB
12:37 Words of welcome by Pieter Timmermans
12:40 Starter is served
12:50 Speech by Dr Gertjan Vlieghe, Chief Economist of Element Capital, and former External member of the Monetary Policy Committee, Bank of England
13:00 Main course is served
13:15 Keynote speech by The Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt MP, Minister of State at the Department for International Trade
13:40 Remarks by HE Tinne Van der Straeten, Minister of Energy
13:45 Dessert is served
13:50 Words of appreciation by Sean McGuire, CBI Director Europe
14:00 Departure of HRH Princess Astrid and Ministers

The schedule of the activity is as follows:

14:00 Arrival and registration of the guests
14:10 Welcome words by TBC
14:15 Presentations by three Belgian buyers and three UK buyers
14:45 Q&A
14:55 Buyers’ break-out
15:00 Meetings between solution providers and buyers
15:15 Start of pitches (20 minutes each)
17:00 End of pitches

The schedule of the activity is as follows:

PART 1

16:00 Arrival and registration of the guests
16:30 UK & Belgium, a long-standing relationship with a bright future by Annick De Ridder, Vice Mayor for the port, urban development, spatial planning and patrimony of the City of Antwerp and President of the Board Port Antwerp-Bruges
16:50 Panel discussion 1: Belgium, your logistics hub connecting the UK with the world
17:15 Panel discussion 2: Belgium as energy transition hub
17:40 Transfer of the guests to the networking venue

PART 2

18:00 Arrival of HRH Princess Astrid and Ministers
18:05 Speech with conclusion of the seminar by HE Jan Jambon, Minister-President of the Government of Flanders
18:15 Networking walking dinner with Opera Soprano Elise Caluwaerts
19:15 Departure of HRH Princess Astrid and Ministers

17:00 Arrival at the Edith Cavell Monument and welcome by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, Sir Kenneth Olisa
17:01 Introduction by Sir Kenneth Olisa of HE Bruno van der Pluijm, Ambassador of Belgium in the United Kingdom
17:02 Introduction by HE Bruno van der Pluijm of the Belgian Ministers present
17:04 A few words to commemorate Edith Cavell’s legacy by Susan Gostick, Chair of Cavell Nurses’ Trust
17:06 Wreath laying ceremony
17:08 Closing words by HE Bruno van der Pluijm
17:10 Departure

The schedule of the activity is as follows:

18:00 Welcome by HE Pascal Smet, State Secretary of the Brussels-Capital Region
18:30 Presentation of Brussels as a destination and the Brussels’ partners
19:00 Networking & walking dinner

The Trade Commissioners of FIT, AWEX and hub.brussels have organised a personal B2B programme for you, which you will receive at the Information Session on Sunday 5 September 2021. Should you not have received your programme yet, please go to the secretariat of the mission.

PART 1:
“Belgium, the health and biotech valley of tomorrow”

09:00 Arrival and registration of the guests
09:30 Welcoming remarks by Jan Wauters, Science & Technology Counselor, Flanders Investment & Trade
09:40 15 Belgian company showcase presentations
10:40 Networking coffee break
11:00 15 Belgian company showcase presentations
12:00 End of showcases and departure on foot to the luncheon

PART 3:

14:00 Drop-in workshop sessions
          Workshop 1: Accessing the NHS, presentation by the Oxford
          Academic Health Science Network (AHSN) followed by a Q&A
          Workshop 2: Presentation of the Belgian ecosystem (Flanders Bio, BioWin, Lifetech Brussels)
15:00 Panel discussion:  “An update on the Trade and Cooperation between the UK and Belgium as it affects life sciences R&D.” and a discussion about access to patient data & GDPR
16:00 Closing drink in the foyer

The schedule of the visit is as follows:

09:30 Arrival of HRH Princess Astrid and Ministers and welcome by Jean-Christophe Tellier, CEO at UCB and Chairman of the Executive Committee at UCB and other board members
09:32 Walk to the ROB building
09:40 Speeches by Jean-Christophe Tellier and Dhaval Patel, CSO at UCB: “A Belgian company in the UK Innovation ecosystem”
09:55 Short tour of the new site to the Manor house, guided by Alastair Henry, Head of Site UK and Dhaval Patel, CSO at UCB
10:10 Brief address by HE Willy Borsus, Vice-President of the Walloon Government
           Unveiling of a commemorative plaque
10:15 Photo opportunity
10:20 Walk back to the cars
10:30 Departure of HRH Princess Astrid and Ministers

The schedule of the visit is as follows:

10:00 Arrival of the guests and welcome
10:20 Start of thematic tours
Group 1: Energy
Group 2: Smart cities
11:30 Networking coffee
11:45 Start of presentations and discussions on Energy & Smart Cities
13:00 Networking lunch

The schedule of the courtesy call is as follows:

12:00 Arrival of HRH Princess Astrid and Ministers and welcome by Professor Louise Richardson, Vice-chancellor of the University of Oxford and Professor Dame Sarah Springman, Principal of St Hilda’s College
12:03 Transfer on foot to the Lady Brodie room
12:05 Welcome words by Vice-chancellor Richardson
12:10 Message by the Rectors of the Belgian Universities
12:25 End of meeting

The schedule of the lunch is as follows:

12:30 Arrival of HRH Princess Astrid and Minister and welcome by Tineke Van Hooland, Deputy Secretary General bio.be/Essenscia
12:35 Welcoming remarks by Mr David Browning, Chair at OBN
12:40 Introduction by David Browning, Chairman OBN
13:00 Speech by Yves Verschueren, Managing Director Essenscia:     ‘Belgium, the health and biotech valley of tomorrow” 
13:50 Closing remarks by HE Willy Borsus, Vice-President of the Walloon Government
14:00 Departure of HRH Princess Astrid and Ministers

The schedule of the activity is as follows:

14:30 Arrival of HRH Princess Astrid and Ministers and welcome by Prof. Ian Chapman, CEO UK Atomic Energy Authority
14:32 Introduction to UKAEA and JET in the foyer by Prof. Ian Chapman
14:37 Transfer to J2 – Jet Control room at the JET Buildings
14:39 Visit of the machine control room (20 persons maximum)
14:49 Walk to the JET Torus Hall for HRH Princess Astrid and Ministers, while all others go to the demonstration of the robot manipulator
15:03 Visit of the JET Torus Hall and meeting with the Belgian engineers (4 persons maximum)
15:10 Exit via the J1R building

During every Belgian Economic Mission, signing ceremonies are organised at which Belgian companies have the opportunity to sign partnerships with their local business partners in the presence of HRH Princess Astrid and present Ministers. Considering the attendance of the media at this activity, it gives high visibility to all parties concerned.

The schedule of the signing ceremony is as follows:

17:30 Registration of the guests
18:00 Arrival of HRH Princess Astrid and Ministers
18:30 Photo opportunity
18:35 Networking drink

The schedule of the activity is as follows:

10:30 Arrival of the invited guests
11:00 Arrival of HRH Princess Astrid and Ministers and welcome by Fernand Huts, President of Katoen Natie Group and Paul De Bruycker, CEO at Indaver Group and Fabian Leroy, President BoD Indaver
11:15 Speech by Fernand Huts 11:20 “Opening ceremony” together with HRH Princess Astrid
11:25 Photo opportunity
11:35 Speech by HE Jan Jambon, Minister-President of the Government of Flanders
11:40 Speech by Paul De Bruycker
11:45 End of speeches and lunch
12:15 Departure of HRH Princess Astrid and Ministers