Go international with the help from Flanders Investment & Trade
Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT), the Flemish agency for international entrepreneurship, helps Flemish companies wishing to do business abroad by providing advice and organising various activities. These activities include seminars, missions abroad, and participations in international conferences. You can find a brief selection of relevant activities below.
FIT uses a network of more than 90 branches abroad that companies can contact for help and advice. Thanks to the presence of local representatives, FIT can give you a good idea of the specific investment requirements in a certain country.
Blue Cluster often works with FIT to set up activities abroad. FIT is, for example, closely involved in our mission to the United States in August, and we wish to collaborate with FIT to organise a group trip to South Korea on offshore wind in 2022. For more information about these activities, please contact Stefaan Mensaert.
Activities
Below, you can find a selection of activities we think could be interesting for Blue Cluster members. Click on the activity’s name for more information. All dates are subject to change because of the coronavirus crisis.
Webinar series ‘First steps into the Chinese market' (27/04-01/06)
China is one of the world’s largest exporters, but many goods are also imported into the country. This provides perspective to Flemish companies.
This series of six webinars is aimed at Flemish cleantech companies wanting to develop activities in China, but is also open to companies from other sectors.
The initiative is supported by Cleantech Route China, a partnership of different provincial development agencies.
Programme:
- 27 April: 'First steps into the Chinese market: checklist and support'
- 4 May: 'The Chinese business culture: training for Flemish entrepreneurs looking towards China'
- 11 May: 'Tech companies and their IP strategy for China: checklist'
- 18 May: ‘What do SMEs with ambitions in China need to know about the geopolitical and macro-economic situation'
- 25 May: 'The tech market in China: policy, actors, clusters, opportunities and financial support for Flemish tech companies'
- 1 June: 'Cleantech in China: booming business'
Cleantech for Latin America: Virtual matchmaking (31/05-15/06)
Not only in Europe, but in other parts of the world too, including South America, people are committed to the transition to clean(er) technology.
During this series of matchmaking sessions, you will meet potential partners in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Peru on an individual basis.
The sessions are aimed at companies in the broad cleantech sector (water, recovery and recycling of materials and energy).
Programme:
- 31 May - 2 June: matchmaking sessions for Brazil;
- 3 - 8 June: matchmaking sessions for Chile;
- 8 - 10 June: matchmaking sessions for Argentina; and
- 11 - 15 June: matchmaking sessions for Peru.
More info
Check out the FIT website for more detailed information.
Group business trip ‘Belgian Offshore Wind Mission to Taiwan’ (01-31/09)
Taiwan is heavily investing in renewable energy sources such as wind energy to become less dependent on fossil fuel import.
In this context, FIT is organising a group business trip to Taiwan in September for Flemish experts in offshore wind technology.
To participate in this mission, it is essential that the company or organisation in question has a branch office in Flanders.
Programme
During this trip, you will meet a number of potential partners and clients tailored to your needs. There will also be ample opportunity to network.
Group business trip to the United Kingdom led by Princess Astrid’ (05-08/09)
Did you know that the United Kingdom is the fifth largest importer in the world? The British market therefore offers many opportunities for companies and businesses.
The country pays a lot of attention to innovation domains such as health applications, climate solutions, fintech and digital technologies. These domains are right up our alley!
Do you have little or no experience with exporting to the British market? Then you can also opt for a guidance programme linked to the princely mission.
Programme
- 5 September 2021: information session and network reception
- 6 September 2021: b2b programme + activities in London; signing ceremony and Belgian official reception
- 7 September 2021: b2b programme + activities in London/Oxford/Cambridge
- 8 September 2021: b2b programme + activities in London
Participation in ‘Green Power Exhibition - Poznan’ (14-16/09)
The Polish government is heavily investing in the development of renewable energy. Green Power is the most important conference in Poland on this topic.
Do you want to get thoroughly acquainted with the Polish market or do you have concrete plans to export to Poland? Then we highly recommend this conference.
Programme
FIT is present on the conference with a reception stand and meeting point.
Participation in ‘Wetex - Dubai’ (05-07/10)
WETEX is an important regional resource platform for (inter)national companies to get access to a wide range of new technology and management solutions.
During this event, you can also learn more about the newest developments in the Gulf region in terms of water, energy and the environment, establish contacts with potential partners and start strategic partnerships.
This year, the conference will take place on the World’s Fair site in Dubai.
Programme
FIT is present on the conference with a reception stand.
Group business trip ‘Expo 2020 Dubai: Flemish week' (25-28/10)
On 1 October 2021, the 35th World’s Fair will start in Dubai. It is the first time ever that a world’s fair takes place in the Middle East.
The World’s Fair central topic is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’. Three subtopics have also been identified: ‘opportunity’, ‘mobility’ and ‘sustainability’.
Would you like to be present at this unique event with international dimensions? Participate in FIT’s group business trip led by the Minister-President of Flanders.
Programme
The programme’s details will be announced later.
Group business trip ‘Energy & Cleantech Australia' (27-28/10)
There are also many opportunities in Australia for the cleantech and energy sectors. Flanders Investment & Trade organises a mission to Sydney and Melbourne in that regard.
Programme
The group business trip is combined with a visit to All-Energy Australia & Waste Expo Australia in Melbourne, the largest energy and cleantech event in the country with over 11,000 participants and 400 exhibitors. FIT also has a reception stand at the conference.
Participation in ‘WindEurope Electric City - Copenhagen’ (23-25/11)
WindEurope Electric City is a new international event on onshore and offshore wind energy that also welcomes actors from other sectors.
The event is an initiative of WindEurope, the overarching European wind energy organisation of which Agoria is a member.
In addition to the conference, an exhibition is also organised where many European actors can present their services and products.
Programme
FIT and Agoria will be present at the exhibition with a Product Sample Booth (PSB) within the Belgian group stand. This way, smaller actors will also have the opportunity to be represented on this important conference.
