General Assembly Meeting 2018

Last 28th of June, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg celebrated its General Assembly Meeting, which took place at the Instituto Cervantes headquarters in Brussels. The meeting was attended by Ms. Cecilia Yuste, Ambassador of Spain in Belgium and Honorary President of the Chamber, and several members of the Chamber.

 Juan Ródriguez- Villa Matons, President of the Chamber, welcomed all the attendees. He also exposed the gains achieved so far as well as the new targets and challenges that the Chamber will be this coming years.

At the same time, Juan Rodríguez- Villa reminded those presents the service vocation of the Chamber with the Spaniards living abroad.

After this introduction made by our president, the word was given to María Catalán, Secretary General of the Chamber.

María set the agenda of the Assembly and afterwards presented the Chamber activities report done during the last year, including courses, events, programs, and paying special attention to the Erasmus For Young Entrepreneurs program, to the Chamber job website and to the Commercial activities.

The services offered by the Chamber were reminded to the attendees. Besides, the expenditure and revenues figures, the income statement and account balance were detailly explained. After the approval of last financial year annual accounts as well as of the Board of Directors management, the Assembly gave in the last point of the agenda: the voting of the new spokesperson vacancies.

Once they all had been presented to the Audience, the Assembly proceeded to vote, resulting on the election for a new three- year term of the following members:

  • BBVA, represented by Javier Arias, Group Head European Affairs
  • ArcelorMittal, represented by Asier Marquina, EU Institutional Affairs Manager
  • Everis Belgium, represented by Óscar Abril, Partner
  • José Luis Rodríguez Álvarez, in a personal capacity
  • Meteora, represented by José Gracia Barba, President
  • Racine, represented by Bert Dehandschutter, Lawyer
  • Santander Consumer Bank, represented by Manuel Menéndez Barrero, CEO- Managing Director
  • Sergio de Miguel Jesser, in a personal capacity.

The Ambassador, Ms. Cecilia Yuste thanked the work done by the Spanish companies and the chamber in the promotion of the commercial and cultural activity of Spain in Belgium. Once again, she showed the commitment of the Embassy and the willing to keep on working next with the Chamber in those activities that help to promote the image of our country abroad.

To close the Assembly, the attendees were greeted with a cocktail offered by Mediterránea, a member company.

All the documentation relative to the 2017 General Ordinary Assembly will be at all the members’ disposal through the Chamber’s Intranet.

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General Ordinary Assembly 2017

Last 21st of June, the Chamber celebrated its 2017 General Ordinary Assembly, which took place at the Instituto Cervantes’ new headquarters in Brussels. For such an event Ms. Cecilia Yuste, Ambassador of Spain in Belgium and Honorary President of the Chamber, joined several members and representatives of Spanish public institutions who were also attending.

Juan Rodríguez-Villa Matons, President of the Chamber, welcomed all the attendees. He also congratulated Mr. José Gracia Barba, who has been recently elected as the Chamber’s Vice President in Luxembourg, and his predecessor, Mr. Sergio de Miguel-Jessel, on the great efforts endured during the establishment of the Chamber in Luxembourg in 2012, as well as its dedication to the Chamber ever since.

Afterwards, the Ambassador and Honorary President of the Chamber Ms. Cecilia Yuste, thanked all the attendees and the Chamber for its activities promoting commercial and cultural Spanish activities in Belgium. Mrs. Yuste also offered its support to the Chamber’s mission and restated its will to cooperate with initiatives to promote the “Spain Brand” like the Fiesta Nacional next October 12th.

The Assembly proceeded with the reading and following approval of the last General Extraordinary Assembly’s minutes, which took place on November 24th, 2016, by the Secretary-General, María Catalán. Once the minutes were approved, Ms. Catalán presented last year’s activities report. Among them, she highlighted the increase in members enrolled, commercial activities and events organized under the Business Circle tribune.

Moreover, she detailed the new workshops, the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs Program and the novelties in the communication department, which include new webpages and improvements in those already in place.

To finish with, the Secretary-General reviewed the activities developed by FEDECOM (Federation of Official Chambers of Commerce of Spain in Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania) and the upcoming activities for 2017.

After the approval of the list of members, Ms. Catalán exposed the annual account of 2016 to the Assembly. After a detailed explanation of the balance sheet and the outturn account, the annual account was approved unanimously by all the attendees.

Finally, the Secretary-General announced the candidatures received to replace the four committee members whose terms were over. Once they had all been presented to the audience, the Assembly proceeded to vote; resulting on the reelection for a new three-year term of:

Mr. Pablo López Álvarez (FTI Consulting)

Mr. Miguel Ángel Arrimadas García, in a personal capacity

Mr. David Luengo Riesco (Indra)

Mr. Carlos Rodríguez Cocina (Telefónica)

Furthermore, the Ambassador and the President thanked, in the name of all the attendees, Mr. Felipe Formariz, from the Spanish Tourism Office in Brussels as well as Institutional Board Member of the Chamber, for its support to the Chamber and its remarkable efforts during the past years.

Finally, the President of the Chamber and the Instituto Cervantes director, Mr. Felipe Santos, signed a collaboration agreement between both institutions to promote and strengthen the Spanish for business in Belgium and Luxembourg.

To close the Assembly, the attendees were greeted with a cocktail offered by Blasco Gourmet, a member company, at the Instituto Cervantes’ offices.

All the documentation relative to the 2017 General Ordinary Assembly will be at all the members’ disposal through the Chamber’s Intranet.

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Luxembourg, 24 November 2016 – Extraordinary General Assembly

The Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg held last Novemdsc_0574ber 24 in Luxembourg its Extraordinary General Assembly. The Ambassador of Spain in Luxembourg and Honorary Chairman of the Chamber, his Excellency Mr.Carlos María de Lojendio y Pardo Manuel de Villena, attended to the meeting, which took place in the Cercle Münster.

During the Assembly, the budget for 2017 was presented and the statuary adaptation, according to the comments received by the Servant Lawyer, was debated. Likewise, the Secretary General informed the members about the next activities of the Chamber

General Ordinary Assembly 2016

Last June 28, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg held its General Ordinary Assembly 2016 in Brussels. The meeting was attended by numerous partners and representatives of the Spanish public institutions.

DSC_0068Chamber’s President, Juan Rodríguez-Villa Matons, welcomed the attendees and showed his satisfaction due to the positive Chamber’s tendency in the last years. The Assembly started with the lecture, by the Secretary General María Catalán, and subsequent approval of the minutes of the Extraordinary General Assembly which took place on the 10th December 2015.

Once approved the minutes, the Secretary General made a presentation of the activities carried out during the 2015 year. Among them she highlighted the increase in the number of members, commercial activities and “Business Circle”’s events organized and the new partnerships carried out. Likewise, she explained the improvements introduced in the communication area, highlighting the web page redesign, the renewal of the corporate image and the creation of an exclusive Intranet for members.

DSC_0080Secretary General presented also the activities within the framework of “Programa Jóvenes BeLux”, an employment project co-financed by the Labour and Social Security Ministry. It was highlighted the success of this programme during the 2015 year due to its personalized services for job seekers.

To conclude the 2015 activities summary, the President informed on FEDECOM’s (Federation of Spanish Chambers of Commerce in Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania) activity carried out. He highlighted the Company of the Year Award 2015 given by the Spanish President Mariano Rajoy to the company NH Hotel Group during the Spanish Day celebration at the Milan Expo.

After it, María Catalán submitted for approval of the Assembly the 2015 annual accounts. After a detailed explanation of the balance sheet and a profit and loss account, they were approved unanimously by the attendees and represented members.

Lastly, Secretary General introduced the candidacies received to fill the Board Member’s vacants. After a presentation of each candidate, a voting took place. They were chosen as vocals for the next three years:

Mr. Juan Rodríguez-Villa Matons (Conle Finance S.A.)

Mr. Miguel Troncoso Ferrer (Gómez-Acebo & Pombo)

Ms. Nathalie Charpentier Mavrinac (Koan Lorenz)

Mr. Ángel Rebollo Piriz (Atrevia)

The Assembly ratified as well Mr. D. Joseba Arriortua as a Board Member for a period of three years.

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All General Ordinary Assembly 2016 documents are at the disposal of the members at our Intranet.

 

 

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First Administrative Board meeting of the Chamber

On 14 January the Chamber´s first Administrative Board meeting of the year took place in Brussels.

During the meeting, the different projects the Chamber will start up this year were presented and the upcoming activities of interest to the member of the Chamber were discussed as well as, among other things, the review of services to members. The Chamber’s President reported about FEDECOM´s activity and the relationship the Chamber´s members have with the Spanish Chamber of Commerce.

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.

General Ordinary Assembly 2015

Last 24th of June the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg celebrated the General Ordinary Assembly at the NH Grand Sablon in Brussels. The meeting was attended by many partners and by David Martínez Hornillos, the Economic and Commercial Counselor of the Embassy of Spain, and Felipe Formariz, Counselor of Tourism.

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The President of the Chamber, Juan Rodríguez-Villa, welcomed the attendees and welcomed the large audience, a symptom of the good activity of the Chamber of Commerce the last years.

gente_sitios_retocadaSubsequently, the Secretary General , María Catalán, presented the activities undertaken during the year 2014, highlighting the significant increase in the number of partners, the organization of events and increasing trade missions successfully completed. She also presented the activities under the employment project funded by the Ministry of Employment and Social Security and the results obtained from the beginning of its development in March 2014.

The Treasurer, Miguel Ángel Arrimadas, presented the balance sheet and income statement for the year 2014, noting the positive continuity of the financial status of the Chamber of Commerce since 2011.

Subsequently, the General Secretariat presented to the audience the applications received by the partners to join the Board of Directors of the Chamber.

 

After a presentation for the audience of each of the candidates, they proceeded with the vote. Finally, they were renovated and appointed for a period of three years:

votando_retocada

  • Óscar Abril Arranz (Everis)
  • Sergio de Miguel-Jessel
  • Bert Dehandschutter (Racine & Vergels)
  • José Luis Rodríguez (BBVA LuxInvest)
  • José Gracia (Meteora)
  • Ramón Lozano (Gas Natural)
  • María Recalde (CECA Bank)
  • Guillermo Sanz Murat (Santander)

Finally, the Chairman reported on the activity of FEDECOM (Federation of Chambers of Commerce of Spain in Europe-Africa-Asia-Oceania), highlighting the event organized in the Expo in Milan, where the Federation awarded the Company Prize Year to NH Hotel Group and the Prime Minister of Spain, Mariano Rajoy, presented in honor the President and CEO. Also the Vice President, Pablo López Álvarez, reported on upcoming events planning in the Chamber of Commerce.
After the General Assembly attendees could enjoy a cocktail in the halls of the Hotel NH Grand Sablon.

General Ordinary Assembly 2014

On 26 June 2014, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg celebrated its General Ordinary Assembly in Brussels.

The President of the Chamber, Juan-Rodríguez Villa, welcomed the members who had attended and asked for a minute’s silence in memoriam of D. Ángel Parres Albert, member of the Board of Directors of the Spanish Official Chamber in Belgium and Luxembourg and founder of CITRUS FRUIT Company. The President wanted to acknowledge his work and services offered for this Institution.

Asamblea General 2013

The General Secretary, Maria Catalán, then gave a presentation with all the activities organised during 2013. The increase of new members was amazing, as well the participation of the Chamber in International Fairs and the high number of successful  trade accompaniments and missions.

The President reported on the sponsorship of our Chamber in a high-level seminar promoted by the prestigious magazine “The Economist”, as well as the collaboration in the Ruta Quetzal 2013 during the stage in Brussels. At last, he reminded the celebration of  the 75th anniversary of the Institution in 2013, which served as a motivation to continue with the organization of the Annual Gala Dinner and the First Edition of the  Company of the Year Award.

The President of the Comission of the Forums and Vicepresident of the Chamber, Pablo López Alvarez, informed about the level and quality of the events promoted by the Chamber in 2013 due to the growing prestige of our Institution and its business forum, which are a clear reference for Spanish-speaking and Spanish people in Belgium and Luxembourg.

The President and General Secretary appreciated the work of the previous General Secretary, Joseba Arriortua, executor of the majority of the activity of the Chamber in 2013.

Later, the Treasurer, Miguel Ángel Arrimadas, presented the balance sheet and income statement of 2013. The treasure had welcomed the good results of the Chamber due to the increase of the activity and the good management of the work group.

The General Secretary reported on the vacancies for Board Members of the Board of Directors and the applications received. After the presentation of each candidate, the votation took place, being renovated for three years for the following members:

–         Miguel Ángel Arrimadas.

–         Pablo López Álvarez – FTI Consulting

–         David Luengo – INDRA

–         Carlos Rodríguez Cocina – Telefónica

Finally, the President informed about the new Basic Law 4/2014, 1st of April, of the Chambers of Commerce, Services and Navigation and the role of the Chambers abroad, and the Secretary emphasized the good functioning of the Programme Young Belux, which is subsidized by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and whose aim is to facilitate the insertion of young Spanish people living abroad in the labour market.

Extraordinary General Assambly 2013

On December the 17th, 2013, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg held its Extraordinary General Assembly at the hotel Meliá Luxembourg. The meeting started at 3:30 pm. The President of the Chamber, Mr Juan Rodríguez-Villa, welcomed the partners and consultants present in the room and wanted to highlight the good execution of the anticipated objectives for this fiscal year 2013, with special mention to the good work made in the new delegation of Luxembourg.

Afterwards the Secretary-General proceeded to read the Minutes of the last Assembly, which was unanimously approved after some formal comments about it. On the second point of the agenda, related to the presentation of the foreseen budget for 2014, the treasurer, Mr Miguel Ángel Arrimadas, took the floor to explain the most important line items of revenues and expenditures expected for the coming fiscal year 2014 in detail to the partners.

Once this intervention was over and after debating several issues concerning the programme of activities for the upcoming year and taking notes of the partners’ suggestions and opinions, the budget for 2014 was once again unanimously approved.

To close the Meeting, Mr Juan Rodríguez-Villa emphasised the important function of the FEDECOM as institution that exists in order to support the activity of the Spanish Chambers of Commerce abroad.