Matchmaking event in Brussels for startups and freelancers

On the 28th November the Chamber organized a matchmaking event in Brussels for startups and freelancers, where close to 50 participants had the opportunity to present their projects, network with other entrepreneurs and learn about different initiatives for entrepreneurs such as the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme.

The event kicked off with a presentation of the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs (EYE) programme, an EU funded initiative managed by the Chamber that allows new entrepreneurs to carry out a cross-border exchange with experienced entrepreneurs.

Each startup/entrepreneur had the opportunity to pitch in a few minutes their project or idea and what profiles they were looking for in the event. Among the presentations, Pieter Moremans, founder of My Global Dreams and Plannr.eu, and host entrepreneur in the EYE programme with the Chamber, showcased his relocation solutions’ startup.

The session followed by a speed networking between freelancers and entrepreneurs. Both profiles had a limited time to explain in detail their projects and explore potential collaborations.

To close the event, all participants were invited to an open networking session to continue exchanging contacts. They were free to talk and discuss with anyone and take the discussion further ahead.

This event was organized in the framework of the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme.

 

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Meeting of collaborators of the National Day in Luxembourg

On November 27, the Ambassador of Spain in Luxembourg, Mr. Bernardo de Sicart, summoned the entities and companies collaborating with the reception of the National Day at the residence of the Embassy.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the collaborating companies Bankinter, Banca March, Renta4, PwC, Adepa, LaLiga and CAF. The Economic and Commercial Counselor, Ms. Maria Palanca, the Vice President and the General Secretary of the Chamber, Mr. José Luis Rodriguez Álvarez and Ms. María Catalán, respectively, and representatives of the Embassy of Spain in Luxembourg also participated.

The Ambassador wanted to thank the support of the Chamber and the collaborating companies in organizing the reception of the National Holiday in Luxembourg.

Lunch-conference: “Coaching as a tool to empower Leadership”

On the 22nd November, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg organized a lunch-conference about “The coaching as a tool to promote leadership”. The objective of the workshop given by the personal and business coach Marta Cela, was to offer guidelines to lead and to inspire work teams, to help to develop their potential and to improve their skills to make better results.

During the conference, the assistants had the opportunity to stand out, via the coaching, some of the most basic and fundamental skills of the leadership as: the effective communication, conflict management, the motivation and clear objectives.

The conference had both, theoretical and practical content, allowing the maximum interaction between the attendees.

Luncheon-debate with Violeta Bulc, European Commissioner for Mobility and Transport

On November 19, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg organized a luncheon-debate hosting Violeta Bulc, European Commissioner for Mobility and Transport, the theme was “Challenges of transport: decarbonization and digitalization”. The event, sponsored by the technology consultancy firm Indra, had the participation of executives of companies in the sector, members of the Chamber and representatives of public bodies, both Spanish and European.

The presentation was given by Juan Rodríguez Villa-Matons, President of the Chamber, who reviewed the professional career of Violeta Bulc and showed the satisfaction that it is for the Chamber to organize this type of luncheon with guests of the category of the Commissioner in collaboration of Spanish well-known companies, through which the Chamber is able to keep on growing.

David Luengo, director of the Indra office in Brussels, talked about the importance of sustainability and competitiveness in the field of transport, referring to the importance of achieving a solid position as a country in the high technology sector, (in a context of European programs where Spain has obtained excellent results). In the same way, he highlighted the importance of the Spanish contribution to Horizon 2020 as well as the importance of betting and encouraging technological innovation and consolidating European industry.

For her part, Commissioner Violeta Bulc conveyed a motivating and changing message with her speech. Bulc started by explaining the current evolution in the transport sector and the need to exchange not only good practices but opinions and ideas to promote awareness and collaboration to direct actions towards a common goal.

The Commissioner of Transport emphasized the three main goals through which transformation in the sector will be achieved. The first of these, efficiency, highlighted the responsibility involved and the intention to ensure the continuity of innovation. The second, connectivity, the Commissioner stressed the importance of this to achieve the goal successfully, accompanied with a high degree of commitment, not only internally but outside the EU, maintaining global connectivity. Lastly, externalities, where it was claimed the importance of the socially responsible contribution against negative externalities.

The rest of the exposition revolved around two axes; on the one hand, decarbonisation and on the other the digitalization of transport. With regard to decarbonisation, it was mentioned low emission vehicles to achieve clean mobility, highlighting in turn the relevance of alternatives to current fuels and infrastructures.

Regarding the digitalization of transport, Bulc stressed the need to be open to an innovative ecosystem where we all cooperate to carry out digitalisation. He stressed that the two concepts go hand in hand and invited attendees to think digital and clean.

After the presentation, a round of questions took place in which the participants could raise their different concerns in the transport sector. Questions of various types were carried out, including mentions to the Mediterranean corridor, concerns related to Brexit or new communication technologies.

On the other hand, from the Chamber we want to show our gratitude to Bodegas Solar de Urbezo, whose wines could be tasted by all attendees and their distributor in Belgium and partner of the Chamber, La Buena Vida.

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REACTIVATE consortium meeting

On 6th and 7th of November, the Official Chamber of Commerce of Spain in Belgium and Luxembourg hosted the REACTIVATE work meeting, a European initiative that promotes labor mobility of workers over 35 among EU member countries.

The members of the consortium had the opportunity to exchange their initiatives, challenges and good practices, as well as to draw up the lines of action of the consortium for the remaining months of the programme.

The Chamber of Commerce as the contact point for the programme in Belgium and Luxembourg offers support to companies during the hiring, relocation and integration of the employee. Likewise, European citizens interested in living a working experience abroad can benefit from professional guidance, access to training resources, and financial aid through the programme.

The Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg awards Company of the Year to Grupo Social ONCE

On November 6, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg awarded the Grupo Social ONCE, in its V edition, the Company of the Year Award 2018 in an act which took place in the residence of the Embassy of Spain in Brussels. Through this award, the Chamber annually awards the promotion of trade and business development in Belgium and Luxembourg.

With this award, the Chamber wanted to recognize the Grupo Social ONCE for its unique business model in the world and for its leadership at an international level. Its active participation in Brussels within various business and disability organizations at European level, shows its commitment to the integration process. This award aims to contribute to closer business relationships of the Grupo Social ONCE through the provision of goods and services to companies from Belgium and Luxembourg markets.

In addition, its constructive and ambitious contribution to the community legislative process, seeking the right balance between business and social dimension and its partnership with the European Commission through the Operational Program for the Training and Employment of People with Disabilities – it has been an example of good practices for two decades-, have also been reasons for this concession.

The ceremony began with the words of the Ambassador of Spain in Belgium and President of Honor of the Chamber, Beatriz Larrotcha who said that this award was a right decision: “Grupo Social ONCE is more than a company, it is a cooperation between institutions and companies (…) the ONCE is the image we want to show abroad, for this reason it is an honor to give them this award “.

The president of the Chamber, Juan Rodríguez-Villa, joined in the congratulations of the ambassador and described the ONCE foundation as a “revolutionary movement” that has achieved a progressive improvement in social advances and levels of inclusion: “It is a modest award, which recognizes the merits of the Spanish company. Grupo Social ONCE works for social normalization and inclusion, for them it is easy to recognize the feeling of pride”.

Pride that also shared the Minister of Economy and Business, Nadia Calviño, who has a strong link with the foundation and who was responsible for delivering the award. “The ONCE foundation is a unique model for eight decades. It is a model that shows its commitment to Europe and its collaboration with the European Commission (…). This award is granted for its contribution to Marca España. I only have two words, admiration and gratitude”.

The president of the Grupo Social ONCE, Miguel Carballeda, accepted the award. During his speech he wanted to remember his years as a seller of ONCE coupons and thanked the award on behalf of all his colleagues at the foundation: “Who would have told me that after selling coupons for 10 years, I would be here today collecting this award on behalf of my colleagues. (…) We (Grupo Social ONCE) have to remain the best company, to be a reference for citizenship, for all those people who come daily to our 20.000 coupon sellers”. In addition, he took the opportunity to remember that the ONCE is the world’s first employer of the disabled and the fourth employer in Spain.

The event ended with a cocktail that all the guests attended. The Chamber thanks the Embassy of Spain in Belgium and all the participating companies for their contribution so that the event has been a success.

 

 

 

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