New drive to boost trade links with Belgian region

A government-funded organisation in northern Belgium has joined Greater Birmingham Global Chamber of Commerce in a drive to increase trade with the West Midlands.

Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT) is aiming to meet with Chamber members and collaborate on several events.

FIT is dedicated to assisting companies to invest and trade in Flanders and they have offices in key locations across the world, including London and Edinburgh.

Astrid Geeraerts, head of invest at FIT, said: “After Brexit, FIT acknowledges the hurdles British exporters face, especially in manufacturing, food, life sciences, and the circular economy sectors.

“However, FIT has observed companies seizing this situation as an opportunity to protect and grow their businesses across the European continent.

“Flanders serves as a popular route for British companies to access the EU due to the region’s proximity to the UK and major European business centres.

“What’s more, Flanders’ strategic location and infrastructure enables companies to reach 400 million consumers within six hours, unlocking 60 per cent of Europe’s purchasing power. 

“FIT offers UK SMEs complete business support, such as assistance with infrastructure, site selection, legal setup, incentives, and more. They will also assist in forging powerful connections and relationships with key decision-makers and to help businesses become part of Flanders' dynamic community.

“This confidential and free service, together with the region’s proximity to the UK, excellent language skills, tightly connected business network, highly productive workforce and low costs, make it a sensible route into mainland Europe.”

For more information contact the London office at 1a Cavendish Square, London, W1G 0LD, call 02073077710 or email astrid.geeraerts@flanders.co.uk

Pictured: From left - Astrid Geeraets, Hayley Drillat-Wilson and Oriane Yehoshua from the Flanders Invest team in London