Presentation of the “Programa Jóvenes BeLux”

Yesterday the presentation of the Programa Jóvenes and the job portal www.empleobelux.com place in Brussels. The event counted on the presence of more than 70 persons, including youngsters and companies interested in getting to know our employment services. We could also enjoy the assistance of representatives of various official institutions and organizations in Spain and Belgium, as well as the assistance of the Official Flemish employment service (VDAB).

The inauguration was in charge of the President of the Chamber of Commerce, Juan Rodríguez-Villa, who presented two speakers: the Job and Social Security Counselor, Vicente Pérez Menayo and the Program Manager, Ramón López-Peláez.

consejeroThe presentation of the Job Counselor concerned the Ministerial Plan for support of young Spaniards abroad approved for 2014 (‘Programa de Jóvenes’) and aims to increase employability and the entrepreneurial business spirit abroad on the part of this segment of citizens, continuing thus the philosophy marked by the Program of the year 2013. In order to achieve this, the Ministry promotes advisory activities as well as activities for career guidance, and, among other things, training, internships in companies and language improvement of the country of residence.

Furthermore, the requirements to be fulfilled by the beneficiaries of the programs were explained, in other words, nonprofit companies and institutions abroad, in charge of providing the services to the youngsters as well as the requirements to be fulfilled by the recipients of the services, in other words, the youngsters themselves: Spanish citizens under the age of 35 registered at the Consular Register.

In conclusion, Vicente Pérez highlighted the different initiatives that, in light of the mentioned program, are being developed in Belgium –the country that achieved a greater budget allocation for the Program of 2013 of 208.000 Euro- and stressed the existing complementarity between them and, of course, emphasizing the work conducted by the Programa Jóvenes of the Chamber of Commerce.
ramontitulo

On the other hand, the Program Manager, Ramón López-Peláez, presented the attendants the specific objectives of the Program of the Chamber. These are:
Provide a personalized accompaniment and advisory service for job search and
Serving as a linking platform between job applicants and employers by means of the website www.empleobelux.com

With regard to the first objective, the relevance of this type of service of coaching as a qualitative support instrument for the accompaniment on a journey was stressed, as is the case with job search, almost always challenging, especially when someone lives in a foreign country. In this regard, the ambition of the Chamber is contributing to the fact that the youngsters can be launched at the labor market under the best possible conditions and as well-prepared as possible.
With regard to the second objective, this one is addressed especially towards companies and invites them to use the services of our program in order to obtain a triple benefit: being capable of publishing job offers and practices on our website; using our candidate database already in function of selecting the required job profiles, and counting on the expertise of the Chamber’s own staff in order to help companies with the selection of the mentioned candidates.

To conclude his presentation, Ramón-López-Peláez remembered the assistants of the meeting of the ‘Young Entrepreneur Award’, an initiative promoted by the Chamber to reward the entrepreneurial business spirit of our youngsters immigrated to Belgium, inviting all of these interested in participating.

Luncheon-Debate with Andris Piebalgs, European Commissioner for Development

On July 16th the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg organized a luncheon-debate with the Commissioner of Development, Andris Piebalgs, who talked about the new EU approaches to support SME development and the role of intermediary organizations.

0andris_piebalgsThe Vicepresident, Pablo López Álvarez wanted to thank the representatives of the institutions and international professionals and commend the figure of the Commissioner who has focused on boosting the role of the private sector in developing countries.

In his exposition, the Commissioner underlined that the activity of the European Commission has concentrated on transmitting the necessity of implementing policies that push through the growth of the private sector with the aim of faciliting the access to the finance for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises towards the governments of developing countries.

The lack of access to capital and appropriate financial services is a major constraint in particular on the development of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. In this sense, the Commissioner has emphasized the implementation of programs that focus on the use of information and communication technologies, specifically in Africa and Central America, and private and institutional support where we can cite the example of the Inter-American Development Bank. Besides, these initiatives come together with the creation of financial structures which are subject to regulations to ensure customer protection and the stability of the financial system.

0pablo_andrisOne of the main barriers of development is reflected in the access to energy where the costs are unmanagable and where it becomes necessary to provide the States with technical experts and financial grants, as well as a transformation of the system, particularly in the rural zones which demand a boost for increasing its capacity to maintain sustainable growth in the agribusiness.

The development strategy has resulted in the identification of improvements such as the creation of jobs with better working conditions, the implementation of the Decent Work Agenda, the employment of women and youth and the communication between the private sector and the governments, which is one of the pillars in the process of the democratization of societies.

Finally, the Commissioner insisted on the necessity of using political dialogue with the partner states to encourage the governments and the local authorities to contact representatives of the private sector.

After a short question and answer period, the Vicepresident took the floor to thank Andris Piebalgs for his exposition and collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce.

 

 

[AFG_gallery id=’18’]

David Martínez Hornillos, Director of Commercial and Economic Office for the Spanish Embassies in Belgium and Luxembourg

David Martinez Hornillos is the new responsible of Economic and Commercial Affairs of Spain in Belgium and Luxembourg. Due to his position, he is Honorary Vice-President of the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg, having technical advice functions.

consejoAdministracion-1024x262

David Martinez Hornillos, comes from the Cabinet of the Minister of Economy and Competitiveness, Luis de Guindos, in which he worked as Economic Advisor Board Member. Besides, he has occupied other important positions in the Spanish Administration, stressing his position as Spanish representative in EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development – London).

On 4 September, the incorporation of the new Honorary Vice-President took place at the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Chamber. We wish David Martinez Hornillos all the best in his new position and we offer him all our support to ensure a common approach, which is none other than the defence of the interests of the Spanish Economy and hence the good name of Spain.

Europe needs more Industry and Industry needs more EuropeCommerce

On 9th of July, the Chamber of Commerce of Spain in Belgium and Luxembourg celebrated in Brussels a luncheon-debate with the General Director of DG of Enterprise and Industry of the European Commission, Daniel Calleja, whose presentation referred to “The Industrialisation of Europe”. The event was sponsored by the partner company REPSOL.

The President of the Chamber, Juan Rodríguez-Villa, wished to thank and emphasize the merits of the rapporteur during his long and successful career, with a great variety of activities which demonstrate his service to society in the presence of representatives of SMEs and international institutions.

During his exposition, Daniel Calleja explained the main lines of action in the industrial policy of UE. In this sense, the strategic agenda of the Commission is determined by five priorities which have been stated by Heads of States and Governments:
· Competitiveness, growth and employment.
· Establishment of an internal market of energy
· Immigration Policy
· Political relationships between United Kingdom and UE.
· Transatlantic treaty with EE.UU.

Each of these topics is related to the General of Enterprise and Industry Directorate, whose objective is to reach a significant industrial growth in the EU.

00daniel-calleja-1“Multiple reforms and measures have been adopted in the last years, but these are not sufficient without a realistic and effective growth strategy and promotion of industrial projects. The European Union has to enhance its attractiveness on the investment and this results in optimising the productive activity of the Eurozone”, the General Director pointed out.

The Commission has established as objective that the industry represents the 20% of GDP of Europe in 2020. Daniel Calleja emphasized that the political goal is possible but it is necessary to focus on the special correlation between industrial activity, innovation, internationalization of companies and employment. A reorientation of the activity of Europe is fundamental.

Last March, the European Council confirmed the strategy of the Commission and invited them to define a roadmap based on four main pillars:

In the first place, a better access to internal and external markets. In Europe one out of four companies operates in the European market and only one out of eight develops its activity outside the European borders. The efforts concentrate on abolishing technical and tariff barriers, the consolidation of Internal Market of Services and the adoption of new trade businesses like the agreement with EE.UU that will convert these powers in the strongest commercial area.

00daniel-calleja-2In the second place, facilitate access to resources for companies: the financing (regional financing and Horizon 2020 Program); access to energy, necessity of the transparency of prices, a common policy with third countries and a more efficient interconnection; access to raw materials (improving the economic and political diplomacy) and, besides, access to training, with the leading of dual models.

Innovation is the third pillar. Through the Horizon 2020 Program, innovation should be promoted and a solution will be provided for the main problems of EU: high levels of social spending. This challenge results in transforming the Welfare State without setting aside our social model.

The last pillar is focused on the creation of an excellent business atmosphere. In this sense reducing bureaucracy, facilities to create companies and business transfers are demanded.

Finally, the General Director wished to transmit a message:  “Europe needs more Industry and the Industry needs Europe”.  The European Union, business associations and the Chambers of Commerce must cooperate in order to favour industrial growth.

After a short question and answer period, the President took the floor to thank Daniel Calleja for his presentation and collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce as well as REPSOL for sponsoring the event.

 

 

[AFG_gallery id=’16’]

The Chamber participates in an academic act organized by Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Brussels

Within the framework of the program to obtain the masters’ degree “Master in International Business”, organized by the University of Pompeu Fabra of Barcelona, on Monday 1 July, an academic act was organized at the Delegation of Regional Government of Catalonia in Brussels, in which the President of the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg participated.

logo_principal_boxeoJuan Rodríguez-Villa Matons adressed a group of students from 26 different nationalities who travelled to Brussels and Amsterdam to be in contact with the business and institutional world.

Our President referred to BENELUX as an inspiring Institution for European Union. He made an analysis of the Treaties which determined the creation of European Communities: ECSC, EURATOM and EEC and Schengen Agreement in which BENELUX Union was the promoter. He underlined that the European integration was catalyzed by the necessity of reaching peace in Europe after the Second World War.

Finally, he informed about the cameral organization in Spain, with special reference to the significant work which Official Chambers of Commerce of  Spain abroad carry out towards External Trade Policy of the Spanish Government.

Then, two representatives of EVERIS, associated with the Chamber, offered a vision of the importance of the IT market in Europe in which EVERIS has an increasing role. Furthermore, the international expansion of the company was emphasized.

Informative session in Luxembourg: Programa Jóvenes BeLux

On the first of July an informative session about the Programa Jóvenes and the website www.empleobelux.com took place in Luxembourg. The projects, based on the orientation, counseling and support for job search for Spaniards living in Belgium and Luxembourg, counted the collaboration of the Ministry of Employment and Social Security.

programajovenes-2The event counted on the assistance of about 30 youngsters interested in the search for employment in Luxembourg, as well as representatives of local companies and Spanish and European institutions located in the Grand duchy.

The meeting started with the performance of Sergio de Miguel-Jessel, Vice-president of the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg, who revealed the difficult economic situation in Spain and thus, the great difficulty young Spaniards experience in the search for employment. Likewise, he stressed the necessity of this type of programs abroad in light of the increased output abroad of young Spaniards in search of job opportunities.

Then, María Catalán, Secretary General, took the floor and gave a detailed presentation of the Programa Jóvenes Belux and the www.empleobelux.com job portal. www.empleobelux.com First of all, she presented all of the possibilities the Programa Jóvenes Belux offers in order to help youngsters concerning labor matters. Afterwards, she highlighted the great possibilities of the web portal for companies searching for qualified workers, as well as for Spaniards in search of job offers and information about practical aspects in both of the countries. The presentation ended with reference to the first call for the Young Entrepeneur Award, from which the high quality of the presented projects is highlighted.

The event ended with Question Time in which the attendants could state their questions and comments.