FEDECOM Ordinary General Assembly 2015

The Federation of Spanish Chambers of Commerce in Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania (FEDECOM AISBL) organized on 9 December its Ordinary General Assembly in Madrid. The meeting took place at the premises of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce and included the participation of the Director General of Trade and Investment, Antonio José Fernández-Martos, the Director General of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, Immaculate Riera and representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, the Spanish Chamber of Commerce and FEDECOM. The Chamber´s members of FEDECOM who couldn’t be present at the Assembly joined by call.

During the Assembly, among other discussed issues was the role currently played by the Secretary of State for Trade and Investment in CAMACOES network activity and the functional link between the Official Chambers outside and the Spanish Chamber of Commerce. The activity report and the annual accounts for the year 2014 were approved by the Federation as well.

Juan Rodríguez-Villa Matons (Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg) was reelected as Chairman of FEDECOM and José Miguel Garcia (Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in France) and Felix Bonmatí (Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Italy) were appointed Vice-Presidents.

Celebration of the Extraordinary General Assembly in Luxembourg

Last Thursday, 10 December, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg celebrated its Extraordinary General Assembly in Luxembourg. The meeting, which took place at the Embassy of Spain in the Grand Duchy, counted on the participation of Mr. Carlos de Lojendio y Pardo Manuel Villena, Ambassador of Spain in Luxembourg.

During the Assembly relevant issues were addressed such as the reform of the Chamber Statutes, the approval of the budget for 2016 and the revision of the categories and annual fees of the members.

Consequently, with the approval of the new Statutes, the Ambassador of Spain in Luxembourg was appointed Honorary Chairman of the Chamber and Mr. Ignasi Guardans (K&L Gates) and Mr. Joseba Arriortua were designated new members of the Board of Directors.

Support for recruitment in the Brussels-Capital region

The public employment office of the Brussels-Capital region, Actiris, makes a free information service about the different plans and support for staff recruitment available to the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg members for training, internships and advise for the selection of candidates.

You can find more information here.

Due to the wide variety measures, it is important to know which are the ones that suit your situation and your activity sector best. The Chamber will bring you in contact with the Actiris expert consultants.

If you are interested, send an email to emploi@e-camara.com, indicating the activity sector of your company as well as your availability to fix a meeting.

30/11 “Acquisition of immovable property in Spain/Belgium: fiscal consequences and estate planning aspects”

On 30 November, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg organized in their premises a conference about “Acquisition of immovable property in Spain/Belgium: fiscal consequences and estate planning aspects”. The presentation was given by Rafaël Alvarez Campa, associate teacher at the Ateliers des FUCAM (Université Catholique de Louvain-Mons) and member of Wantiez, Bailleux, Causin & Janssen, a partner company of the Chamber.

Rafaël Alvarez Campa presented the tax implications of buying a property in Spain for a Belgian resident, and vice versa in detail. He also highlighted issues relating to inheritance tax in both countries and estate planning for Belgian residents with assets in Spain.

After the intervention, attendees had the chance to ask questions. A large audience attended the seminar.

New INTRANET exclusively for members

The Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg has designed an INTRANET space, of exclusive use for members with the aim of promoting interaction and business opportunities among our members.

The Intranet will allow the member:

  • To update your business profile and make it visible for the rest of the members of the Chamber
  • To access exclusive promotions and information for members
  • To increase your contact network in Spain, Belgium and Luxembourg
  • To access useful information from your sector of activity

The Chamber will give each member a user name and a password to access the Intranet through the link www.e-camara.com/intranet/

In case you have not received it, please contact our technical support info@e-camara.com.

We would like to encourage you to use this new tool and benefit from it. We remain at your entire disposal for any suggestion or recommendation you would like to give us.

“The new Community Customs Code” Breakfast-debate

Last Monday, 7 December, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg organized a breakfast-debate about the new Community Customs Code. Jean-Marie Salva, specialist lawyer on the customs sector and member of DS Avocat lawyer’s office made the report.

The new Community Customs Code will enter into force on 1 May 2016. It is the new issue for the Customs Union, which will replace the current one from 1992. The realization and the delegate acts have already been made public. The new text that was approved after a long debate, has significant advantages for companies that are able to identify these advantages and use them. Topics covered during the session include the status of Authorized Economic Operator, the rules for determining the customs value, modes of representation and the rules related with the setting of the custom value.

After the conference, there was a question time in which the attendees raised doubts such as how to apply the new Custom Code on their sectors, to which Mr Salva answered in detail. The breakfast-debate counted with a large number of participants.