Belgium at a glance: Official Name Independence: Recognised: Capital and largest city Official language Population Government Monarch Prime Minister Legislature Upper House Lower House
: Kingdom of Belgium : Declared from the Netherlands: 4th October 1830 : 19th April 1839 : Brussels : Dutch, French and German : 11, 198, 638 : Federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy : Philippe of Belgium : Charles Michel : Federal Parliament : Senate : Chamber of Representatives
of these companies such as Oleon NV and Biotec International Asia, have invested a substantial amount in the oleochemical sector of the palm oil industry,” adds Dargent. Another Belgian company Lhoist, a leading lime producer, is investing more than RM700 million as part of the first phase of its business expansion in Malaysia and the region. Improving trade with other regions is of vital importance to Belgium which has one of the most open economies. Despite its small size and population, it is among the world’s top exporters and importers ranking 12th and 13th in 2013, according to the World Trade Organisation.
Besides helping to improve trade between the two countries, Dargent is also passionate about promoting the message of moderation and peace between nations. “Belgium and Malaysia agree on the importance of moderation and of the need to promote dialogue and understanding among people, authorities and nations,” says Dargent. “We see Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib as a promoter of dialogue about the importance of moderation among countries. The Belgian Government has invited the Malaysian Prime Minister to visit Belgium this year. Economic growth is of course important for any country. But I think you first must have peace and security – those are vital prerequisites for growth.” EU
Belgium’s contribution to the world: • Flemish painters such as Robert Campin, Rogier van der Weyden, and Jan van Eyck, to name a few, brought the Renaissance movement out of Italy to Northern Europe. During the Baroque style in the late 16th and 17th century, Flemish painters such as Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony van Dyck were among the most prominent painters in Europe. Belgium’s contribution to the art world continued in the 20th century with painters such as James Ensor, Paul Delvaux and Rene Magritte who were famous for their surrealist paintings. • Belgian chocolates and pralines are beloved all over the world with brands like Côte d’ Or, Neuhaus, Leonidas and Godiva which are world famous. • Belgium is also famous for its beer, producing over 1,100 varieties. It is home to the world’s best beer, the Trappist Beer of the Abbey of Westvleteren. • Hergé created the comic strip Adventures of Tin Tin in the 1920s and since then it has been translated into over 50 languages. The adorable Smurfs are a Belgian creation as well. • It’s hard to imagine jazz without the saxophone, which was invented by a Belgian, Adolphe Sax. • We have Belgium to thank for introducing the world to waffles, French fries and Brussels sprouts. Famous Belgians: • Audrey Hepburn, the beloved Hollywood fashion icon and screen legend was born in Brussels and spent part of her childhood there. Another Belgian export to Hollywood is Jean-Claude Van Demme, the martial art expert turned actor. • Eddy Merckx, five times Tour de France winner is considered one of the greatest cyclists of all time. • Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin are world famous tennis players who have achieved the number one ranking in the world of women’s tennis. • Belgians have won the Nobel Prizes in Physiology or Medicine (Jules Bordet in 1919, Corneille Heymans in 1938 and Albert Claude and Christian De Duve in 1974); in Physics (Francois Englert in 2013) and in Chemistry (Ilya Prigogine in 1977). Information courtesy of Belgian Foreign Trade Agency & Wikipedia
EUMCCI REVIEW 21