RIYADH – A Belgian economic mission, presided over by Princess of Astrid of Belgium and joined by well over 150 companies in various sectors will be visiting Riyadh as well as Jeddah on March 15-18, 2014. It is expected that this unique visit will strengthen further the bilateral trade between the monarchies and open the way for new Saudi-Belgian partnerships. The economic & commercial department of the Belgian Embassy is working closely together with the Council of Saudi Chambers, Riyadh Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and several third party service providers in identifying and arranging meetings with suitable partners, Kristoffel Castelein, Belgian Economic & Commercial Counselor in Riyadh, aside of business-to-business meetings, seminars and workshops in different fields of activities are on the agenda. Interested parties are invited to join in order to find out soon themselves all about Flanders in Belgium. Located in the northern half of Belgium, Flanders generates 57,1 percent of the national GDP. The capital of Flanders is Brussels, administrative capital of the EU and host to the NATO headquarters. Its exports of goods amount to some 289 billion euros annually, i.e. 83.2 percent of Belgian exports. Leading sectors include the chemicals, plastics, automotive, life sciences, logistics and food sectors. Flanders has four ports (including Europe's second largest), airports, inland waterways, and one of the world's densest networks of road and rail connections. The region is located at the center of the wealthiest and most populated area of Europe. Flanders put a strong emphasis on innovation and quality. Today, the traditional strengths of trade, innovation and quality hold true. Productivity is the trademark of the Flemish employee. They also show great flexibility and loyalty, are highly skilled and well-educated and always aim to deliver the highest quality heavy funding of R&D across the sectors and in future-oriented areas ensures that Flanders keeps its edge in technology and innovation. Flanders can boast more than delicious pralines. Its excellent infrastructure contributes to the highest quality of products and services of any sort. Flanders hosts a number of key players in niche industries; The region's leading industries include technology-driven niches, such as life sciences, chemicals, plastics, logistics, automotive and food sectors. Additionally, luxury segments such as diamond trading, fashion, textiles and specialty chocolate & confectionary production are other industries that do particularly well here. Moreover, in order to ensure a leading position in their respective industries, Flemish enterprises have formed clusters, centers of excellence and innovation platforms for its respective industries. These support, develop and provide synergies in innovation and R&D and can count on the research efforts of Flanders' strategic research centers, with formal links to research departments at the Flemish universities. — SG
