The Chamber collaborates with the Eurpean Commission to eliminate regulatory barriers

The Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg has been invited by the Internal Market Management of the European Commission to participate in a project whose purpose is to remove obstacles from the provision of cross-border services in the European Union.

The Spanish Official Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg has been invited by the Internal Market Management of the European Commission to participate in a project whose purpose is to remove obstacles to provision of cross-border services in the European Union. The initial aim is to identify examples of barriers (regulatory, administrative, fiscal, concerning standards, etc.) that companies have to deal with and put them in a disadvantage position compared to domestic competitors. This fact shall form a basis for a possible review of the Directive of Services, in force since 2006. We would thank our members if they could send us any information about examples of possible barriers and discrimination they suffer when they operate in the Belgian and Luxembourgian market. We encourage you to participate in the online survey which the Commission has run and which is available at:

http://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/internal-market-services-businesses?surveylanguage=en

General Ordinary Assembly 2014

On 26 June 2014, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg celebrated its General Ordinary Assembly in Brussels.

The President of the Chamber, Juan-Rodríguez Villa, welcomed the members who had attended and asked for a minute’s silence in memoriam of D. Ángel Parres Albert, member of the Board of Directors of the Spanish Official Chamber in Belgium and Luxembourg and founder of CITRUS FRUIT Company. The President wanted to acknowledge his work and services offered for this Institution.

Asamblea General 2013

The General Secretary, Maria Catalán, then gave a presentation with all the activities organised during 2013. The increase of new members was amazing, as well the participation of the Chamber in International Fairs and the high number of successful  trade accompaniments and missions.

The President reported on the sponsorship of our Chamber in a high-level seminar promoted by the prestigious magazine “The Economist”, as well as the collaboration in the Ruta Quetzal 2013 during the stage in Brussels. At last, he reminded the celebration of  the 75th anniversary of the Institution in 2013, which served as a motivation to continue with the organization of the Annual Gala Dinner and the First Edition of the  Company of the Year Award.

The President of the Comission of the Forums and Vicepresident of the Chamber, Pablo López Alvarez, informed about the level and quality of the events promoted by the Chamber in 2013 due to the growing prestige of our Institution and its business forum, which are a clear reference for Spanish-speaking and Spanish people in Belgium and Luxembourg.

The President and General Secretary appreciated the work of the previous General Secretary, Joseba Arriortua, executor of the majority of the activity of the Chamber in 2013.

Later, the Treasurer, Miguel Ángel Arrimadas, presented the balance sheet and income statement of 2013. The treasure had welcomed the good results of the Chamber due to the increase of the activity and the good management of the work group.

The General Secretary reported on the vacancies for Board Members of the Board of Directors and the applications received. After the presentation of each candidate, the votation took place, being renovated for three years for the following members:

–         Miguel Ángel Arrimadas.

–         Pablo López Álvarez – FTI Consulting

–         David Luengo – INDRA

–         Carlos Rodríguez Cocina – Telefónica

Finally, the President informed about the new Basic Law 4/2014, 1st of April, of the Chambers of Commerce, Services and Navigation and the role of the Chambers abroad, and the Secretary emphasized the good functioning of the Programme Young Belux, which is subsidized by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and whose aim is to facilitate the insertion of young Spanish people living abroad in the labour market.

Equivalenza opens its first shop in Mechelen

Equivalenza, the booming Spanish franchise concept, soon will be launched in Belgium and the Netherlands. The brand was founded in 2011 and meets the demand of high quality perfume at low cost prices. This concept was born only three years ago and has already successfully opened more than 700 stores in 32 different countries.

equivalenza1

Equivalenza pioneered the classification of odors by olfactory family. It is offered to the consumer to travel to all the corners of the world of perfume.

equivalenza3_1Equivalenza has a range of more than 100 fragrances for women and 50 for men. Based on taste, lifestyle, character and personality of the client, we determined the olfactory family. In addition, you can experience the full range of odors within the family and subfamily. The bottles are filled in the store and are sold at a much lower than that of a perfume brand price. Recharging offers an even more attractive price.

All products are created by a specialized team of perfumers. In addition to the perfume, the brand also offers a range products that perfectly complement the range, scented Mikado, home fragrances, scented candles, etc.

It has long been known that the high excessive cost of perfumes is due to expensive advertising campaigns, exclusive bottles, special packaging, etc. Equivalenza rejects these additional costs and focuses on what really matters to the consumer: quality perfume with a lowcost philosophy.

equivalenza4In the last three years, it has seen an unprecedented expansion. In recognition of its impressive growth, Equivalenza has received numerous industry awards franchises worldwide. Equivalenza was twice voted “Best Franchise” in Spain and in 2013 was awarded the second place for “Best franchise of the world”.

During this week the opening of the pilot store at number 9 Bruul street in Mechelen will take place. We can also find a Equivalenza store in Wavre, at Pont du Christ. The chain has ambitious plans in Belgium and the Netherlands and aims to open 50 stores in the short term, all run by franchisees. The success prompted the neighboring countries and has aroused great interest among entrepreneurs. There is also the possibility of “shop in shop” mode.

For more information on the Belgian and Dutch settlements, you can contact the responsible delegation at the following email addresses:

e-mail:
belgium@equivalenza.com
netherlands@equivalenza.com

página web:
www.equivalenza.com

Alfonso Dastis: The European Union in 2014 from a Spanish perspective

The Ambassador Permanent Representative of Spain to the EU, Alfonso Dastis, has given a presentation on the topic: “The European Union in 2014 from a Spanish perspective”, during a luncheon-debate organized by the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg and sponsored by the Spanish company Indra. Members of the Spanish and international diplomatic corps, managers of companies, as well as personalities and representatives of European institutions participated in the luncheon-debate.

The event started with a speech from Pablo López Álvarez, Vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce. In the first place, he wanted to thank Mr. Alfonso Dastis for his collaboration and his continual support for the Chamber. The Vice-president predicted that in 2014, a turning point for the community because of the renovation of the European institutions and the beginning of new European programs, Spain will begin a new period of growth and the bases for a definitive end of the economic crisis will be built.

Thereafter, Alfonso Dastis took the floor, focusing in his speech on four axes: On the one hand, from the economic point of view, he presented the importance for Spain to continue its efforts in overcoming the crisis. He emphasized the improvement of the economic situation in Europe and Spain and highlighted the fundamental role of the institutions and in particular of the European Central Bank in it, but he wanted to insist especially on the good management of the crisis of the current government that has, among other things, allowed us to be able to count on a healthy financial system. Furthermore, Spain is facing the next review of the European Central Bank as one of the best prepared countries.

Concerning the second, institutional, axe, he referred to the changes that will take place this year at the institutions after the elections at the European Parliament and the appointment of a new Commission. In this regard, the Permanent Representative of Spain to the European Union has highlighted the importance of ensuring the greatest and the best representation of our country at the European institutions.

The third axe of his lecture dealt with the future of the European Union, where he stressed the fact that Europe needs a common vision shared by everyone that is the result of a sincere and deep commitment of the Member States. This is something that, in his opinion, is difficult to obtain in a Union that currently counts on 28 members and that will continue to grow in a near future. However, it is not impossible.

Finally, he talked about the fundamental role Spain can play in all of these challenges, the importance of our contribution to the Union in every respect and the implication of all of the parties related with the European Union, government, administration and Spanish companies in order to communicate the positive elements of our role in Europe to the citizens.

Once the speech of the Ambassador ended, a lively debate between the assistants was generated. Issues such as the role of renewable energy in Europe, the lack of a common vision between the member states and the uncertainty concerning job creation and sustainability especially in the construction industry, were discussed. Mr. Dastis showed his optimism and his positive view on these issues and his expectations of improvement of all of them. The luncheon-debate ended with the appreciation of the Ambassador of Peru, Mrs. Cristina Ronquillo, who emphasized the role of Spain as leader in South America and the support Spain has always offered on this continent.

 

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Breakfast-debate with Fernando Nogales, Counselor of Parliamentary Affairs at the REPER

On 11 June 2014 the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg organized a breakfast-debate during which Fernando Nogales Álvarez, Counselor of Parliamentary Affairs at the Permanent Representation of Spain to the European Union gave a presentation called “The European Parliament after the elections of 25 May”.

DSC_0982_WEBThe event started with the presentation of the Vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce, Pablo López Álvarez, who thanked the Counselor for his participation and stressed the strong interest of the partners for the institution in the celebration of this debate.

Afterwards, Fernando Nogales took the floor and thanked the Chamber of Commerce for the invitation and informed the audience on how the European citizens perceived the most recent European elections, which usually remain in the background with regard to the national elections.

However, he argued that the borders between the European and the national mingle increasingly and that the “European” issues have an increasing impact on the national elections, a phenomenon marked by the economic and financial crisis. The dissatisfaction with the European Union also has to do with the fact that the European Union is now not only perceived as a political institution but also an institution where decisions are taken with an impact on the real life of citizens.

Then he commented on the results of the elections and the configuration of the parliament by means of the different groups of which it consists.

DSC_0978_WEBFinally, he gave the audience his personal assessment of the situation and how this will affect Spain. He carried out a political analysis in which he indicated that the populist or protest vote is not a unique phenomenon in Spain, but that it is common everywhere in the European Union. From his point of view, the common feature is the irritation or protest in light of a declining economy. “The reforms are not necessary within the EU as well as in the member states”, he added.

In the end, a debate originated between the assistants in which one had the possibility to comment and discuss the current situation of the European Parliament.