The Chamber reinforces its collaboration with Belgian universities to promote the EYE programme

Last 21st March, the Chamber presented the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs (EYE) programme at the University of Antwerp. Around 15 students learned more about this EU funded programme exchange for entrepreneurs and about the main activities and programme of the Chamber.

The participants had also the opportunity to present their projects and get direct feedback from Soraya Bravo and Arturo Ibáñez, project managers of the Chamber and responsible for the EYE programme.

Besides the University of Antwerp, the Chamber is actively collaborating with Mons University and KU Leuven. In particular, the KU Leuven, with the support of the Chamber, has recently launched a call for projects among their student to present their business plans and get the opportunity to participate in the EYE programme. We invite you to follow the link for more information.

10 years of Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs

Last 18th and 19th of March the Chamber participated in the 23rd Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs (EYE) Network Meeting organized in Brussels.

In 2019 the EYE programme celebrates its 10th anniversary, and this event was a good opportunity to review the achievements of this ambitious EU initiative searching to promote the exchange of knowledge and experiences among European entrepreneurs.

Since its launch in 2009, the EYE programme has helped to facilitate more than 7.000 collaborations between new and experienced entrepreneurs across the EU, enabling over 14.000 entrepreneurs to benefit from this EU-funded programme.

The Chamber is one of the 194 contact points all around Europe managing the programme and has recently renewed its participation until 2021. The Chamber has been managing this initiative since 2016 and has concluded more than 40 exchanges in these three years.

10th Edition Workshop on Social Media Management for Business and European Projects

The 14th and 15th of March, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg held the tenth edition of the “Workshop on social media management for business and European projects”, a workshop that aims to increase the knowledge of the participants about the planning, management and analysis of social networks in the field of European projects. The course, given by the community manager and coach Philippe Schiffler, filled all places, as in previous occasions.

During the first day of the training, the attendees could improve their knowledge about social networks and learn to take advantage of them. Also, they discovered new tools that a community managers can use to improve their performance, among which are Canva, Feedly or RSS Feedly. Schiffler also demonstrated to those present how to act on social networks in a crisis situation and the steps that must be taken to face it.

On the second day,  the importance of the GDPR, as well as the different functions of the well-known social networks such as Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram was discussed. As in the previous day, Schiffler talked about other applications such as Adobe Spark, Buffer or Hootsuite.

During these two days, all attendees had the opportunity to learn about different tools, which will help companies to have greater visibility on social networks. At the end of the course, Schiffler answered questions and clarified the doubts of the participants. The workshop was developed in a participative and dynamic environment in which attendees could discover the basis for good management of social networks.

Luncheon-Debate with Jyrki Katainen

On March 7, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg organized a luncheon-debate hosting Jyrki Katainen, Vice-President of the European Commission for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness about “The future of Europe”. The event had the participation of CEOs of international companies, members of the Chamber and representatives of Spanish and European public bodies.

The presentation was given by Pablo López Álvarez, Vice-President of the Chamber, who reviewed the professional career of Jyrki Katainen and expressed the satisfaction that it is for the Chamber to organize this type of luncheon with guests of recognized prestige such as the Commissioner.

Hereafter Katainen took the floor, from the beginning he transmitted a motivational and of change message with his speech.

The Vice President proposed three main areas to expose the future situation of Europe.

The first one refers to a more integrated European Union: member countries, businesses and European citizens will make a more united Europe in a few years. Regulatory measures, many of which have already been or are being implemented, will give way to a Europe with new markets that will create new business opportunities such as in the plastics industry and its future transformation.

As a second area, he referred to the challenges coming from outside the European Union, where he highlighted three key powers: the United States and its conception of the market that is far from the open market vision of the EU; China, and the problems linked to the non-opening of its market to European investment, and finally, Russia. In line with the external relations of the EU, Katainen invited attendees to reflect on whether we are strong enough to act in defense of the EU.

In the third and final field concerning the future of Europe, the internal challenges faced by the EU itself and the crises associated with the fundamental values ​​of the European project were highlighted.

Jyrki Katainen ended his speech by referring to the role played by Spain in the EU, considering it a good ally as a European partner. The Vice President expressed his wish that Spain take a step forward in fundamental aspects such as the national market integration, the single internal market or development. He highlighted the history of the country in terms of the struggle for its internal security, and the prominent role that Spain could have in leading the debate on the defense of the EU.

To conclude, Katainen stressed the common goal that must be worked towards the future: to achieve a more competitive and integrated Europe.

After the presentation, a round of questions began where participants could raise their different concerns about the future of Europe. During the debate, topics such as the single internal market, circular economy, Artificial Intelligence, defense and security of the EU were discussed.

From the Chamber we want to show our gratitude to Bodegas Abadal, whose wines could be tasted by all attendees, and to participants for this successful luncheon-debate.

« ‹ of 3 › »

Workshop in Spanish taxes for individuals living abroad

Last 6th of March, 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” at its headquarters in Brussels. 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 and Elsa Ochoa, partner and tax advisor 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 issues: fiscal residency and its implications, regarding the taxation and fiscal benefits provided by the Spanish domestic legislation.

First, the different criteria established in the LIRPF for the determination of tax residency in Spain were presented, a fundamental element for determining the tax obligations of natural persons in the country.

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.

Then, the speaker made reference to the situation of tax havens and the rule of “tax quarantine”, according to which taxation continues to pay taxes in Spain during the transfer year and the following four years.

They described two basic circumstances that determine fiscal residence: having had a presence in Spain more than 183 days during the year or that the center of economic or professional interests is in Spain; both circumstances are recidivists.

Afterwards, Elsa detailed the conventions to avoid double taxation signed by Spain. Specifically, the conference focused on the OECD Model Convention. These conventions are of great importance because they have primacy over Spanish internal regulations. Likewise, special cases were discussed about diplomats, officials and personnel at the service of the European Union.

 

 

Spain Means Innovation

The Spain Means Innovation program is an initiative run by Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg, through which the Chamber seeks to act as an independent platform to enhance the commercial and business interests of Spanish companies at local level in Belgium and Luxembourg. The objective of the program is to provide Spanish companies with access to the market and relevant actors in BeLux for the development of their activity, implementing commercial intelligence and developing with them influence and trusted networks at all levels.

Middle term objectives of the program:

  • Project an image of Spain as an innovative, modern and avant-garde country in Belgium and Luxembourg
  • Position Spanish companies as products and services suppliers, and strategic partners in certain activity sectors
  • Encourage the collaboration between Spanish and local companies for the project’s development in Belux
  • Facilitate the lobbying of Spanish companies with local public institutions
  • Identify and report business opportunities in Belgium and Luxembourg

The Chamber will elaborate annually with the participating Spanish companies, a strategic and communication plan oriented to accomplish the objectives.

For the year 2019, the following priority sectors have been selected:

Belgium

  • Smart Cities
  • Mobility
  • Health
  • Digitalization
  • Creative industries
  • Architecture/Civil Engineering /Construction

Luxembourg

  • Financial sector/Fintech
  • Digitalization
  • Tourism
  • Luxury industry

The Spanish companies that are members of the Chamber in the categories of Sponsor and Benefactor can participate in the program, in all the actions and activities foreseen.

The Chamber has the collaboration of the Economic and Commercial Office of Spain in Belgium and Luxembourg for the development of the program.

More information about Spain Means Innovation here.

21-22/05 B2fair @ ICT Spring Europe

We have the pleasure to inform you that the Enterprise Europe Network-Luxembourg of the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce will organise the 4th edition of the international b2fair Matchmaking Event @ ICT Spring Europe on 21st & 22nd May 2019 in collaboration with Farvest at the European Convention Center. Since 2016, the b2fair Matchmaking Event at ICT Spring has brought together 600 participants from 25 countries and organised close to 2000 business meetings.

As an influential voice in the worldwide Tech community, the aim of ICT Spring is to encourage emulation and networking between business decisions makers, innovation managers, start-ups, researchers and venture capitalists on a European scale. It is a yearly event held in the modern premises of the European Convention Center in Luxembourg City which will highlight the latest technology trends and IT innovations as well as discuss their impact on the society and the business community. ICT Spring represents an exciting array of fantastic opportunities with the participation of key decision makers coming from 72 countries including leaders, innovators, investors, entrepreneurs, start-ups etc. For more information on ICT Spring, visit the official website: www.ictspring.com.

The 2019’s edition will feature 4 main topics:

  • FINTECH
  • DIGITAL
  • SPACE
  • ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

The ICT Spring will also house the PITCH YOUR START-UP, an international pitch-based competition that aims to attract the best and brightest startups from around the world. Hundreds of startups apply each year to compete for PYSU’s €100,000 in prize money.

b2fair ICT Spring 2019:                                 

  • two days of intense business meetings
  • an opportunity to build strong relationships and partnerships in the ICT sector
  • an excellent networking opportunity for digital leaders, innovation managers, researchers, start-ups etc.
  • a possibility to find your right business partner in one single meeting place
  • company visits

Participation Conditions:

  • Exhibitors: Free of charge
  • Early Bird until 1st April: EUR 100 / company. EUR 50 per additional participant
  • After 1st April: 150.00 € / company. EUR 75.00 € per additional participant.

The entrance to the ICT Spring for foreign companies is included in the participation fee.

More information:  luxemburgo@e-camara.com

The Chamber has available various workspaces for rent in its headquarters in Brussels

The Chamber has available various workspaces for rent in its headquarters in Brussels, that are situated in the European district (Rue Belliard 20, 1040 Brussels).

With capacity for one, two or three workstations (depending on the size of the office), the rental of workspaces includes the following services:

  • Furnished and totally equipped space
  • Access to the common areas, including a fully equipped meeting room for up to 35 people
  • Visitors reception service
  • Direct billing
  • Access 24/24, 7/7
  • Other services: wifi, telephone line pre-installations, overheads included, cleaning service, etc.

Furthermore, you will be able to have access to our network of contacts, as well as to the events and networking activities that we frequently organize in our headquarters.

If you are interested, do not hesitate to contact us to ask detailed information about the conditions:

Person of contact: María Catalán

Email address: info@e-camara.com – Tel: +32 25171740

Second meeting with Spanish entrepreneurs in Belgium

On 28 February, the Chamber organized the second meeting between Spanish entrepreneurs in Belgium, which was attended by more than 20 participants.

On this occasion, we invited two Spanish entrepreneurs to share their experience and, above all, the problems they faced and continue to face when it comes to developing a commercial activity in the country.

The first guest was Ramón Suarez, founder of the Betacowork coworking space in Brussels. Ramón related the challenges he personally faced, highlighting the importance of achieving a solid network of contacts, knowing the local languages and having a series of reliable suppliers.

The second speaker was the entrepreneur Jorge Vidal, who launched nearly four years ago DomoSOS, a company dedicated to offering multi-service solutions for households. In his case, he found the key factor in orienting his business strategy towards customers´ satisfaction and offering services in various languages, which enabled him to diversify his customers.

The participants also had the opportunity to present their businesses or projects in Belgium to the attendees. The Chamber took the opportunity to present EmprendeBelux, a program aimed at supporting Spanish entrepreneurs in the country and designed to accompany them in launching their project and/or consolidating their businesses.