The European Commission (EC) launches EYE global; Singapore, Israel and USA are now new destinations for the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme

Last April the EC announced the official start of the EYE Global for the period 2018-2020. Three new destinations, USA (states of New York and Pennsylvania), Singapore and Israel, are now available for EU-residing New Entrepreneurs.

With these new destinations the EC broadens the list of participating countries; as from now candidates will be able to choose among 40 countries. This pilot project aims at offering the new entrepreneurs the opportunity to learn from the experience of other entrepreneurs outside the European continent.

Some of the conditions for participating in the EYE Global differ from the current programme. As a local contact point in Belgium and Luxembourg, the Spanish Chamber of Commerce can guide you through the application process. Contact us now for further information: erasmus4youngentrepreneurs@e-camara.com.

Breakfast between members of the Chamber in Luxembourg

 

Last 26th of April, a breakfast between the members of the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg was organized.

The breakfast took place in the office of our Member PwC in Luxembourg. Mr. Jose Luis Rodríguez, Vice-President of the Chamber, and our representative Members of PwC, Renta4, Intertrust, Adepa, Mebs, Igmasa, Cuba Desk, Mostajo Architecte and Abogados Ruiz de Peralta attended the event.

The breakfasts organized by the Chamber are a tool to promote networking and to encourage the creation of business between our Member companies.

We would like to thank Christian Albarracín, Partner of PwC, for having made this breakfast possible.

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Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Chamber

On April 18, a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Chamber took place in Brussels.

During the meeting, several projects were presented to be developed in the coming months focused on the support of Spanish entrepreneurs in Belgium and Luxembourg, training in European affairs and the organization of networking activities at a local level, mainly.

Likewise, the restructuring reform of the Chamber’s staff was discussed in relation to participation in European projects.

Success in the eighth edition of the Workshop on Social Media Management for Business and European Projects

The past 25th and 26th April, the eighth edition of the Workshop on Social Media Management for Business and European Projects took place in the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg to promote the image of the company within the European market.

The course was taught by the Community Manager and Professional Coach, Philippe Schifflers (@Philschifflers).

The first day, the teacher started with a brief introduction to the course, followed by the presentation of each one of the attendees and an explanation of their expectation about the course. Schifflers later explained the role of a Community Manager, its qualities, aptitudes and characteristics, highlighting the way of working with social networks with which the new generations are more used to. In addition, Philippe spoke about data protection and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), a project approved by the European Parliament and which will be launched next month to make more transparent the personal data that companies and organizations have.

He also described some of the fundamental tools that any specialist in social media management should know. Later, he showed how to develop a digital marketing strategy and how to visualize the results through metrics, which are tools that show the data and results of the content published on the networks. Finally, he focused on the use of social networks Facebook and YouTube, explaining first some useful information about social networks, followed by explaining how to shape their use for companies. Finally, he mentionned some companies that use the social networks successfully.

During the second day, Schifflers focused on the different social networks, Twitter, Google +, LinkedIn and Instagram. He also explained the different functionalities offered by each of these networks and the way companies can use them to create engagement and to position their brand. Finally, he described how to use Hootsuite, a platform that is used to manage the different social network accounts of a company and to plan their content. Hootsuite is a very useful tool, which can greatly facilitate the work of the Community Manager.

During these two days, the teacher was answering questions and clarifying doubts as he went through the different explanations. The workshop was developed in a participatory and dynamic environment during which the attendees could learn the basis for a good management of social networks in their respective positions in institutions, organizations and companies.

Luncheon-debate with Nicolás Pascual de la Parte, Ambassador Representative of Spain to the NATO

Last 19th of April, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg organized a luncheon-debate hosting Nicolás Pascual de la Parte, the Ambassador Representative of Spain to the NATO. The theme was “Transatlantic security: new threats and opportunities”. During the event, company directors, members of the Chamber and representatives of public institutions were the principal participants. The luncheon-debate was sponsored by the consulting and technology company Indra.

David Luengo, the director of Indra office in Brussels, was in charge of the presentation. He expressed the concerns of the company to face the new global challenges and thanked the speaker for his effective work in his different responsibilities through the years in Brussels.  Juan Rodríguez Villa-Matons, the President of the Chamber, expressed his satisfaction about being able to count on an experienced diplomat as Nicolás Pascual de la Parte. As for the speaker, he reminded having taken part in previous events organized by the Chamber and reminded that he was willing to take part to future events.

Nowadays, the socio-political situation of the main international actors has caused incertitude because of the struggle with the fixed rules established during the 20th century between the different States.

Fortunately, the presentation of Pascual de la Parte was about the actual unpredictability and the actual new threats at a global level: on one hand, there is the revisionist change of Russia, and on the other hand, the radicalization of the Islamic jihadism.

The Ambassador focused mostly on these two aspects.

The relations of trust between Russia and the NATO have been affected, which represents a “threat” to the East of Europe. This “threat” has been evidenced through the occupation of Crimea, the unstable situation in Ukraine and the suspension of the international agreements about short-range missiles. The NATO has enhanced its military presence in the Baltic nations, such as Poland, with the deployment of carrier strike battle groups and it supports its most vulnerable members facing this new situation.

The second aspect developed by Nicolás Pascual de la Parte was jihadism and the Islamic terrorism.

The application of the Occidental models – being the communist one or the liberal one – in the Arabic countries during the 20th century caused a general frustration when realizing that none of these models was able to get out the society of its underdeveloped economy. Some social groups took advantage of this situation by using religion to obtain political favors, through a rigorist and fundamentalist interpretation of the Islam, converted into violence in order to achieve the political objectives. The NATO has strengthened their security cooperation with the ally countries which feel threatened, by advising and increasing the defensive capacity.

It has been agreed that every country will increase its defense budget and will bound stronger political ties with the allies of the south and the east.

Finally, Pascual de la Parte ended its speech by talking about the non-conventional threats about which the NATO must adapt itself progressively. For example, threats about cyber-security, fake news and hybrid threats.

As the themes were recent, the participants, who took actively part to the debate and the Q&A round, were really interested.

Again, the Chamber wants to thank the Ambassador for its participation and hope to see him again in future events.

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Visit of ESNE students to the Chamber

Last April 13th the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg received the visit of ESNE students (Escuela Universitaria de Diseño, Innovación y Tecnología) of Madrid.

María Catalan, secretary general of the Chamber welcomed the teachers and students. The meeting started with a brief presentation of each assistants.

After that, the secretary general presented the activities and functions of the Chamber, highlighting the organization of events. In relation curses that the students are taking, it was recalled how the Chamber collaborated in the organization of the DS Brussels Fashion Days – Spanish Edition.

Subsequently, Arturo Ibañez, Proyect manager of EYE (Erasmus for Young Enterpreneurs) in the Chamber, explained this European program, its benefits and the facilities that the Chamber offers to participate on it.

Finally, Catalán introduced the website of the Chamber, EmpleoBelux, which has the aim to help youth who want to live or work in Brussels.

To conclude the meeting, the students had the opportunity to present their doubts and concerns to María and Arturo.

 

Workshop in Spanish taxes for individuals living abroad

Last 12nd of April, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg organized, in collaboration with its member BLAW & TAX, a conference about the “Spanish Taxes for Individuals Living Abroad”. The event gathered representatives of different Spanish and Belgian companies, members of the Chamber, representatives of European Institutions and Spanish regional delegations.

The conference was run by Inmaculada Pineda, partner of BLAW & TAX, a firm specialized in international taxation and legal-tax consulting at national and international scope related to corporate aspects.

The conference focused on two main points: fiscal residency and its implications, regarding the taxation and fiscal benefits provided by the Spanish domestic legislation.

First, the speaker presented the alternative rules that determine that the tax residency is located in Spain. The right identification of the fiscal residency is fundamental when determining the tax obligations of the natural persons.

Thus, the Spanish regulation incorporates the criteria of residence, location of economic interests and the presumption of tax residency in case the spouse or the children are tax residents in Spain.

Inmaculada Pineda made a parenthesis to explain carefully the well-known model 720 which establishes the informative obligations on the assets located in the Spanish territory. This declaration must be about three blocks: the accounts in financial institutions, the accounts in financial assets in general and real right on real estate.

Then, Inmaculada Pineda referred to the situation of tax havens and the rule of “tax quarantine”, according to which the person continues to pay taxes in Spain during the transfer year and the following four years.

Afterwards, the conference focused on the OECD Conventions and, especially, on those established with the aim of avoiding double taxation. These conventions are of great importance because they have primacy over the Spanish domestic regulations.

In addition, particular cases were addressed on the maintenance and the change of residence and its related obligations.

Then, Pineda explained the tax benefits incorporated in the Spanish regulation. These are mainly developed in the articles 7.p) of the Spanish Income Tax (LIRPF) and 9 of the Spanish Income Tax Regulations (RIRPF). She emphasized the fact that they are incompatible with one another and that it is usually necessary to analyze each case to be able to choose correctly between the two options.

Among the attendees, this situation raised many questions about the various situations in which these exemptions might be eligible. Inmaculada Pineda answered all the raised questions and attended all those who wanted to obtain more information about the various situations previously exposed in the conference.

Definitely, the event organized with our member BLAW & TAX was a great success and helped to understand much better the tax situation in Spain for people who are displaced abroad.

Luncheon- Debate with Cecilio Madero Villarejo, Deputy Director General at The European Commission Competition Directorate General

Last 11st of April, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg organized a luncheon-debate with Cecilio Madero Villarejo, Deputy Director General of the Directorate General for Competition, about “Trends of the European Commission Competition Policy”. The event was attended by executives from various companies, members of the Chamber and representatives of Spanish public bodies.

The President of the Chamber, Juan Rodríguez-Villa Matons, reviewed the academic and professional career of the Director and thanked him for his participation in the event.

Madero began by highlighting the active labour of the European Commission, based on the hard work of people who are truly involved, and who operate as a united and strong organization. Hereafter, he explained that the mission of the General Directorate for Competition is to guarantee a fair and equitable open market, along with the rights of citizens.

Regarding competition policies, he expressed the will to continue along the same lines, adapting to the new technologies and economies, such as ITC, IT and e-commerce. Regulations need to go hand in hand with the changes in the market and the economy, so the justice is done in a way that is fair to all parties.

Antitrust is an issue that the Commission must regulate and control to support the freedom, the democracy and the equality of the market and the companies. In this regard, the Director explained several complex investigations and the new measures that were underway.

Afterwards, in the round of Q&A, the participants raised their issues to the Deputy Director General related mainly with the regulation applied to Big Data and the necessary adaptation due to the constant innovation of the market and the economy.

Finally, Juan Rodríguez-Villa awarded the Deputy Director General in gratitude for his participation in the luncheon-debate.

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Our newsletter turns 100 issues

The newsletter of the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg turns 100 issues  this month. With more than 3,000 subscribers, the newsletter is sent twice a month in two versions: Spanish and English. It collects information about the activity of the Chamber and its associated companies as well as news of interest for Spanish companies in Belgium and Luxembourg, among other contents.

Created in 2014, our newsletter is already considered as an indispensable communication tool for all those Spanish companies with a commercial or representation activity in Belgium and / or Luxembourg.

Still not receiving the newsletter? Subscribe by sending an email to info@e-camara.com with the subject “RECEIVE NEWSLETTER”