East and Centre Europe Welcome Office

WELCOME OFFICE EUROPEAN PRIORITY MARKETS

Walloni a- B el g i u m , you r bu si n e s s pa r t n er i n the he a r t o f Eu rop e

The Heart of Europe Wallonia-Brussels, economic and cultural crossroad in the true heart of Europe WALLONIA-BRUSSELS, the French-speaking part of BELGIUM, includes Brussels, Capital of Europe, and is located in the immediate vicinity of Western Europe’s major cities.

The area is home to the main offices of some of the world’s largest international institutions and the headquarters of many multinationals.

In the heart of the most important distribution area in Northern Europe, and within a few hours reach of Paris, Strasbourg, London, Amsterdam, The Hague, Luxembourg, Cologne, Frankfurt, Munich and Geneva, Wallonia-Brussels is directly linked to the most important decision making centres in Europe.

Wallonia also provides a direct link to the sea ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam. Its exceptional geographical position, transport, and communication network with state-of-the-art multimodal facilities give Wallonia a great potential to increase your profits. A qualified, hardworking and multilingual workforce, and the readily available industrial and logistics parks, permit very low investment and operating costs. Symbols of innovation and competitiveness, the Universities and Research Centres of the Region provide significant added value in logistics supply chains. With many entertainment opportunities, a well-known gastronomy, tourism, and the high quality of life found in the historical centre of Europe, Wallonia is the best place to distribute products within the European market.

Hamburg

UNITED KINGDOM Berlin Hannover

Amsterdam

London

NEDERLAND EUROTUNNEL

POLOGNE

Anvers Bruxelles Lille

Dortmund

Düsseldorf

DEUTSCHLAND

BELGIQUE Mons

Köln

Wallonie

Frankfurt Luxembourg

FRANCE

Paris

TCHÈQUIE

Stuttgart Strasbourg

SLOVAQUIE München

AUTRICHE

SUISSE

HONGRIE SLOVENIE ITALIE

CROATIE

BOSNIE SERBIE

MACÉD

6 competitiveness clusters (Aeronautics and Aerospace, Agro-industry, Life Sciences, Transport and Logistics, Mechanical Engineering and Greenwin) take part in the Government’s new growth initiatives, and position Wallonia-Brussels at the centre of the knowledge communities with the support of Universities, Research and Training centres. A new focus is given to Green Technology and eco-development.

Serving innovation Wallonia-Brussels, with its nine university centres housing 300 research facilities and 11,000 researchers, is world renowned for being innovative and research driven. This region has been the recipient of three Nobel Prizes. Original, creative, technology intensive, and good value for money, Wallonia’s expertly designed and manufactured products are competitive on all fronts with the world’s best, and its productivity is amongst the highest in the world.

The information and communication technology market is growing by 10% a year and is supported by 2,500 graduates.

Qualified workforce Wallonia-Brussels has developed an extended, highly performing educational network of colleges, universities and graduate schools. The training meets market requirements since a large majority of graduates are able to secure employment as soon as they finish their studies. Businesses benefit from a hardworking workforce: productivity is 20% higher than the European average…

Wallonia-Belgium, your bu si n e s s pa r t n er i n the he a r t o f Eu rop e

SUPPORT FROM BELGIAN PUBLIC AGENCIES

Competitiveness Clusters and Corporate Networks

WA L L O N I A- B R US S E L S O F F E R S TO C O M PA N I E S

• Belgium ranks #1 for logistic investments & distribution in Europe (2008 Cushman & Wakefield’s survey) • The most developed and secure road network in the world (lighting, safety, toll-free) • 375 million consumers within 8 hours drive (65 % of the European Market) • 2 international and cargo airports (accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, European hub of worldwide express integrator TNT) • Host of the EURO-CAREX platform (Cargo High Speed Train in Northern Europe) • More than 4000 acres available now in Industrial and Research Parks (Land and storage space from 30 to 60 euros/sqm)

THE HEART OF EUROPE

Infrastructure

Wallonia-Brussels offers to companies‌

Wallonia foreign Trade and Investment Agency (AWEX) facilitates collaboration between the Science Parks of Wallonia (SPOW) and technological firms. Numerous agreements have been negotiated between private partners and public bodies.

AWEX offers European companies the opportunity to test and launch on the European market from a new WELCOME OFFICE based in Charleroi (Wallonia), between Paris and Brussels, and specially dedicated to innovative companies wishing to expand in Western Europe.

Brand new offices and personalised services are available FREE of charge (excluding telecommunications costs) to companies who can devote themselves exclusively, at very low cost, to the growth of their business - and all this from a base in Belgium, enabling exceptional ease of travel to all major European cities.

Services of all types Wallonia foreign Trade and Investment Agency (Awex) proposes in partnership with the Science Parks of Wallonia (SPOW): • A specialised office for European priority markets companies to launch their activities in Europe (based in Charleroi): EUROPEAN PRIORITY MARKETS - WELCOME OFFICE • Scientific and economic incubators • Ultra-modern telecom services (Internet access, optic fibres, ADSL/SDSL, videoconference…)

• Hi-tech business centres equipped to welcome companies and facilitate expansion • Specialised sector-specific offices (Aerospace, Lifesciences, Agro-food, Mechanical Engineering...) for the support of start-ups • Training and financial support to create your own distribution centre in the heart of Europe

Connections throughout Europe In addition: • Close to Brussels South Charleroi Airport, flying to 100 destinations in Europe and Africa • A dissemination of information with a technological advantage to companies operating in science parks • The promotion of technology transfers between research and industry, with many European partners • Lively technological activity between companies (networking with innovative businesses at European level, creating opportunities for technological exchanges between players from industry and/or research) • Access to EUROPEAN RESEARCH PROGRAMS through experts directly connected to the relevant departments of the European Commission in Brussels

Wallonia-Belgium, you r bu si n e s s pa r t n er i n the he a r t o f Eu rop e

SUPPORT FROM BELGIAN PUBLIC AGENCIES

• An expert who speaks your language (on demand) • Assistance in understanding the language and culture • Advice with practical and logistical matters (visas, travel permits, accreditation, legal issues, everyday issues…)

• Administrative assistance with initial prospection in the European market (e.g. market studies) • Introductions to leading European professionals in your industry • Access to the trade offices of Wallonia in Europe (more than 50 offices in the capitals and major European cities)

WA L L O N I A- B R US S E L S O F F E R S TO C O M PA N I E S

Personalised services (free of charge)

Support from Belgian Public Agencies

Wallonia foreign Trade & lnvestment agency (AWEX) is the onestop shop for all prospective foreign investors wanting to locate in Wallonia. We are committed to helping foreign companies launch their activities successfully and to integrate them into European Economic Networks.

We offer foreign companies links to local authorities, universities and technological partners thanks to special relationships with local Economic Development Agencies and the Science Parks of Wallonia.

Apart from this initial “kick start”, we also organise meetings with experts from various federal and regional departments, and guide you through the relevant administrative steps.

As a foreign trade agency, AWEX’s mission is to provide promotional and export support for the benefit of both Wallonia and the foreign business community.

Our team of specialised multilingual advisors will assist you per­ sonally from the feasibility study through to the realisation of your investment and export strategy. Our experts will be pleased to help at every stage of your activities.

OUR MISSION is to provide invaluable advice and guide you through the following steps of your projects: • Search for available sites (land) and buildings • Assistance to incorporate your company (access to venture capital, legal and logistics support) • Advice and assistance in the search for suitable human resources (including initiation and training programs) • Assistance to obtain grants provided by regional and European authorities. Depending on the proposed location, the combined subsidy from both regional and EU sources can amount to as much as 50% of the total investment • Assistance to understand and benefit from Effective tax rate - Expatriate regime (unique in Europe) - Fiscal ruling (prior agreement with the Fiscal Administration on corporation tax rate) - Holding company Fiscal regime - Fiscal immunization regime - Real-estate tax exemption and Notional interest deduction tool (unique in Europe)

Technological support • Business plans: study of the viability of the business plan on a technical, commercial and financial basis • Research funding: preparation of the fundraising programme • Access to public incentives: analysis of the various available sources and assistance to secure such public financial support • Advice for Patent income deduction, deduction for investments in R&D centres and patents (direct grants of up to 70% of investments for a SME if the project is innovative and will generate benefits within the region)

Export support Foreign companies choosing Wallonia as European hub to distribute their products within European markets could also benefit from such export-oriented services as: • General and commercial information on European and foreign markets (AWEX has more than 50 offices in Europe) • European market studies tailored to specific areas upon request • Organization and planning of marketing activities (international trade shows, trade missions, sector-based contact days…)

• Establishing contacts with business federations and international organisations • Financial support and export financing • Training in international careers and free traineeships

Wallonia-Belgium, you r bu si n e s s pa r t n er i n the he a r t o f Eu rop e

SUPPORT FROM BELGIAN PUBLIC AGENCIES

Investment support

WELCOME OFFICE EUROPEAN PRIORITY MARKETS High Tech Incubator inside the Science Parks of Wallonia Network You are at home in the true heart of Europe…

Aéropole Maison de l’industrie Rue Auguste Picard, 20 • 6041 Charleroi Tel : 071/797.328 info.parcs@igretec.com

NETHERLANDS TURNHOUT ANVERS

BRUGGE

MECHELEN GENT IEPER KORTRIJK

NAMUR

E42 NAMUR-LIÈGE -KÖLN MERMOZ AVENUE JEAN

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Mr. Alphi Cartuyvels Head of European Investments Tel. Office: +32-81/332850 acartuyvels@investinwallonia.be

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Anne-France Depierreux Project Manager AWEX - Foreign Trade and Investment Agency Namur Office Park 6, Avenue des Dessus de Lives B-5101 NAMUR (Loyers) Tel. Office: +32-81/332850 afdepierreux@investinwallonia.be

RUE A NTO I N

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