WALLONIA : YOUR PARTNER REGION IN THE HEART OF EUROPE international.be The role of FDI in...

WALLONIA : YOUR PARTNER REGION IN THE HEART OF EUROPE

www.wallonia-international.be

WWW.WALLONIA-INTERNATIONAL.BE

The role of FDI in developing knowledge-based The role of FDI in developing knowledge-based competitiveness in European regions :competitiveness in European regions :

The case of WalloniaThe case of Wallonia

Graz, 23 April 2010Graz, 23 April 2010

Philippe Suinen, CEO of AWEXPhilippe Suinen, CEO of AWEXWallonia Foreign Trade and Investment AgencyWallonia Foreign Trade and Investment Agency



Wallonia’s institutional context

Belgium : A federal state with 3 regions holding significant competencies

• Walloon Region - Population : 3.4 millions (32% of country)- Capital : Namur- Main cities : Liège, Charleroi, Mons, Nivelles,

Tournai, Arlon, Wavre, Verviers

• Flemish Region (58% of the Belgian population : 6.1 million inhabitants)

• Brussels-Capital Region (10% of the Belgian population : 1.0 million inhabitants)



WALLONIA : an autonomous region

Holds important powers in matters related to its economic development

• Economic policy

• Foreign trade and investment

• Employment and professional training

• Scientific research and new technologies

• Transport and public works

• Environment, urban and rural development

• Agriculture, energy and water

• Tourism

• Foreign relations in all these areas



AWEX : key figures and structure

Agency of the Walloon Region of Belgium in charge of promoting foreign trade and attracting foreign investment (created in 1998)

An universal public service legally bound to the Walloon Government by a Management Contract

Headquarters in Brussels (foreign trade) and Namur (foreign investment)

7 regional centres in Wallonia

Worldwide network of 107 economic and commercial representatives

450 employees (200 of which abroad)

Budget 2009 : 72 million euros

Certified ISO 9001 since 2002



MAKING WALLONIA ATTRACTIVE

ATTRACTING FDITHROUGH KNOWLEDGE IN :

1. Promoting innovation : innovative processes and products

2. Support for exports3. Networking and EU institutions4. Logistics5. Interculturality and involvement of young

people


www.wallonia-international.bewww.wallonia-

international.beWALLONIA : YOUR PARTNER REGION IN THE HEART OF EUROPE

• The development of competitiveness clusters since 2005 : a new industrial policy

research and development projects (€ 195 millions)

training and employment schemes (€ 22 millions)

export promotion and foreign investment attractiveness (€ 10 millions)

general investment incentives (€ 7 millions)

public investment in assets and holdings specific to clusters (€ 1 million)

1. KNOWLEDGE IN PROMOTING INNOVATIVE 1. KNOWLEDGE IN PROMOTING INNOVATIVE PROCESSES AND PRODUCTSPROCESSES AND PRODUCTS



www.wallonia-international.beWALLONIA : YOUR PARTNER REGION IN THE HEART OF

EUROPE

• Priority given to the most promising growth sectors:

1. Life sciences (Biowin)

2. Aeronautics and aerospace (Skywin)

3. Mechanical engineering (Mecatech)

4. Transport and logistics (Logistics in Wallonia)

5. Food-processing industry (Wagralim)

WALLOON COMPETITIVENESS CLUSTERSWALLOON COMPETITIVENESS CLUSTERS



www.wallonia-international.beWALLONIA : YOUR PARTNER REGION IN THE HEART OF

EUROPE

Track record since 2005 : 495 total participants (229 private sector firms, 157 university

departments,51 research units and 58 training centres)

123 projects underway (70 R&D projects, 39 training projects and14 investment projects) representing a total budget of € 379 millions(of which € 225 millions of public aid)

8,700 new jobs created in the medium-term

Recruitment within AWEX of 5 high-level FDI experts specialised in the search for foreign investors in the sectors covered by the clusters :

• Responsible for 54 foreign investments in Wallonia representing€ 208 millions and the creation of 834 new jobs

• 30% of all foreign investments concluded successfully by AWEX in 2009

110 international actions undertaken in cooperation with AWEX

15 cooperation agreements signed with foreign clusters

WALLOON COMPETITIVENESS CLUSTERSWALLOON COMPETITIVENESS CLUSTERS


www.wallonia-international.bewww.wallonia-

international.beWALLONIA : YOUR PARTNER REGION IN THE HEART OF EUROPE

• A magnet for foreign investment

138 spin-offs originating from Wallonia’s universities, representing 54% of Belgium’s total (weight of the Walloon economy within Belgium is 24%)

6 science parks which are vectors for partnerships between research centers and industry

3 incubators providing support for start-ups in emerging technologies: Wallonia Space Logistics, Wallonia Biotech Coaching and GIGA (applied genomics)

2 Welcome Offices for Chinese and Indian investors offering services to launch their activities in Europe

KNOWLEDGE IN PROMOTING INNOVATIVE KNOWLEDGE IN PROMOTING INNOVATIVE PROCESSES AND PRODUCTSPROCESSES AND PRODUCTS



2. KNOWLEDGE IN SUPPORT FOR EXPORTS

International network of 107 Economic and Commercial Representatives in partnership with Flanders Investment & Trade and Bruxelles Export

81 run by AWEX (of which 34 are shared with FIT and Bruxelles Export)

12 in partnership with FIT 14 in partnership with Bruxelles Export 4 ‘foreign investment’ prospectors (Tokyo,

Shanghai, Chicago, San Francisco)



KNOWLEDGE IN SUPPORT FOR EXPORTS

Efficient information system General and commercial information on

foreign markets Market studies tailored to specific demands Seminars on commercial and cultural

approaches to specific markets Communication of business opportunities,

international tenders and information on projects financed by international organisations




Wide-ranging annual export action plan

On average : 170 international commercial actions and 2,000 participating firms per year

International trade fairs, economic missions, sector-based contact days abroad, invitations of foreign prospects and buyers in Belgium

Aim : to offer Walloon companies of all sizes and from all sectors a wide range of international actions




Promotion of niche markets with a high technological content (30% of the programme):

Life sciences Pharmaceutical products Food additives Environmental technologies New materials Electronics Information and communication technologies Security and control equipment Aeronautical and aerospace equipment




Various financial incentive mechanisms designed to help companies at all stages of the export process (3,968 granted in 2009)

Development of export strategies

Training and recruitment of personnel

Marketing and communication

Market exploration (trade fairs, missions, buyers invitations, market studies, etc.)

Training of clients

Establishment of commercial offices abroad

Development of international partnerships

Risk coverage, financing and insurance of exports




SOFINEX : Walloon society for financing exportsand the internationalisation of businesses(93 beneficiaries in 2009)

Trust Funds with international organisations for technical assistance and feasibility studies regarding private-sector projects in developing and emerging countries

Financial tools for export promotion : bilateral credit lines, funds for economic development projects in emerging countries

Direct participation in financing requirements of international ventures (exports or investments) : banking counter-guarantees, granting of credits, equity participations



3. KNOWLEDGE IN NETWORKINGAND EU INSTITUTIONS

The Walloon House to the European Institutions (MEWE) : a network deployment unit for companies established in Wallonia

Functions of MEWE :

To provide information on Community calls for tenders in the field of economic aid and research

7th Framework for R&D Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP) European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) European Neighbouring and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA)

To promote international partnership and networking for Walloon-based companies and operators



KNOWLEDGE IN NETWORKINGAND EU INSTITUTIONS

MEWE IS A MEMBER OF SEVERAL EUROPEAN NETWORKS

EURADA (European Association of Development Agencies)

EBN (European Bic’s Network)

ERRIN (European Regions Research and Innovation Network)

ENRICH (European Network of Regions Improving Citizens Health)

ANIMA (Investments in MED Network)

RIBN (Research Innovation and Business Network for Central and South-Eastern Europe )

EREF (European Economic Regional Forum)

INSME (International Network for SMEs)

EEN (Enterprise Europe Network)




NCP-Wallonia : contact point of the Walloon Business Federation helping companies based in Wallonia to participate in European-funded research projects (principally FP7)

Functions of NCP-Wallonia : Search for potential foreign partners in

research projects Assistance in the preparation of research

projects (setting up of consortia, proposal writing, contract negotiation)

Help in supervising the good progress of projects




TECHNOLOGICAL NETWORKING AT WORK :THE WALLONIA-TEXAS A&M CONNECTION

Creates global companies through the simultaneous commercialisation of new technologies in Europe and the United States

Facilitates the penetration of Walloon start-ups in the US market

Provides returns assistance to American start-ups willing to enter the European market via the Walloon Region

Links companies in Wallonia and the United States for the creation of technological and/or commercial partnerships

Prospects multinationals in the field of R&D to present our respective research capabilities




Wallonia-Texas A&M Connection :a Global Network of Innovation

Co-Identify

Co-Protect

Co-Invest

Co-Locate

Co-Market

EU US India South Africa China Middle East



4. KNOWLEDGE IN LOGISTICS4. KNOWLEDGE IN LOGISTICS The first logistic region in Europe according to the

latest Cushman and Wakefield study on prime locations for European distribution and logistics

At the centre of the so-called European logistics banana

300 million consumers within a radius of 1.000km

The highest concentration of motorway interchanges in the world

2 international and cargo airports (Charleroi and Liège) and second biggest European river port (Liège)

Six multi-modal platforms located at the intersection of the principal European connections (motorways, railways, airways and inland waterways)

Availability of quality real estate at moderate prices

Top-ranked logistics services providers for supply chain optimisation solutions



KNOWLEDGE IN LOGISTICS

FDI success stories in logistical activities Employment created

TNT (European hub) 1,200

Johnson & Johnson (medical goods) 350

Katoen Natie (supply chain services) 100

Swissport Cargo service centre 76

Coopervision (ocular material) 200

Waldico (food and domestic goods) 1,100

DeliXL (food distribution) 75

Lanutti (general distribution) 200

H&M (textile distribution) 450

Baxter (pharmaceuticals) 1,200



5. KNOWLEDGE IN INTERCULTURALITYAND INVOLVEMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE

LIEGE INTERNATIONAL CITY

Managed by AWEX, Wallonia Brussels International (WBI) and the Walloon Office for Employment and Professional Training (FOREM)

Common development of projects and events stimulating the knowledge of foreign languages and cultures as a key factor in the internationalisation process

Seminars on commercial and cultural approaches to specific markets with a specific focus on the BRIC



KNOWLEDGE IN INTERCULTURALITY AND INVOLVEMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE

EXPLORT = PROGRAMME FOR STUDENTS AND YOUNG GRADUATES JOB-SEEKERS

Provides youth with intensive training in international trade

Offers a first professional experience abroad through market exploration assignments performed for exporting companies

Focuses on the development of intercultural dimensions and language skills

Since 2006 : more than 1.000 EXPLORT trainees have helped Walloon companies to develop internationally (professional insertion rate of 85%)



KNOWLEDGE IN INTERCULTURALITY AND INVOLVEMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE

INFORMATION CENTRE ON ISLAMIC FINANCE AND HALAL CERTIFICATION

Raises the awareness of Walloon-based companies on Shariah-compliant commercial opportunities in Islamic markets

Assists Walloon exporters in certifying products and services to Halal norms that are destined to Islamic markets (principally agro-food products)

Facilitates access to Islamic finance among Walloon businesses

Sets up partnerships with official organisations of the Islamic world (e.g. = Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2009 between AWEX and the Islamic Development Bank based in Jeddah)



CONCLUSION

3 T’s FOR THE CREATIVE AGE

TECHNOLOGY TALENT TOLERANCE



THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

www.awex.be


www.investinwallonia.be


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