Belgium’s Head of State King Filip has begun a 2-day transmission the aim of which is to economic cooperation between Flanders and Wallonia. The mission is unprecedented given that royal trade missions are typically organised abroad.
The 2-day mission has been organised by the Flemish business federation Voka and the Walloon trade federation AKT. The mission brings together around 40 captains of industry from both Flanders and Wallonia. During the next 2 days King Filip will visit companies including Odoo, IBA, DEME, Sonaca, Barco, Renson and VPK. Discussions will focus on sectors such as biopharma, defence, innovation and the circular economy.
The programme got underway on Tuesday morning at the Martin’s Red Hotel that is located at the Belgian nation football team’s training complex in the Walloon Brabant town of Tubize.
The Royal Palace says that the initiative as a way to reinforce internal economic ties. It notes that, even more than neighbouring countries such as France or the Netherlands, Flanders and Wallonia are each other’s key trading partners, with largely complementary strengths.
In a press release, the Royal Palace underlined the economic rationale behind the mission. “In a context of an uncertain international economic climate, it is essential to increase our resilience.” It added that “Flanders and Wallonia are each other’s most important trading partners”.
Employers’ organisations have broadly welcomed the initiative. They point to the importance of strengthening interregional trade and labour mobility. However, critics have questioned the practical impact of the mission. They suggest that existing cooperation mechanisms could be better utilised.
Although the Brussels-Capital Region has not been included in this first inter-regional royal trade mission, the Royal Palace has indicated the capital could be included in future missions.