Transcript Diapositive 1 - Knowledge Economy Network

The role of FDI in developing knowledge-based
competitiveness in European regions :
The case of Wallonia
Graz, 23 April 2010
Philippe Suinen, CEO of AWEX
Wallonia Foreign Trade and Investment Agency
WWW.WALLONIA-INTERNATIONAL.BE
www.walloniainternational.be
WALLONIA : YOUR PARTNER REGION IN THE HEART OF EUROPE
Wallonia’s institutional context
 Belgium : A federal state with 3 regions holding
significant competencies
• Walloon Region
- Population : 3.4 millions (32% of country)
- Capital : Namur
- Main cities : Liège, Charleroi, Mons, Nivelles,
Tournai, Arlon, Wavre, Verviers
• Flemish Region (58% of the Belgian population :
6.1 million inhabitants)
• Brussels-Capital Region (10% of the Belgian
population : 1.0 million inhabitants)
WALLONIA : YOUR PARTNER REGION IN THE HEART OF EUROPE
www.walloniainternational.be
WALLONIA : an autonomous region
 Holds important powers in matters related to
its economic development
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Economic policy
Foreign trade and investment
Employment and professional training
Scientific research and new technologies
Transport and public works
Environment, urban and rural development
Agriculture, energy and water
Tourism
Foreign relations in all these areas
WALLONIA : YOUR PARTNER REGION IN THE HEART OF EUROPE
www.walloniainternational.be
AWEX : key figures and structure
 Agency of the Walloon Region of Belgium in charge of
promoting foreign trade and attracting foreign investment
(created in 1998)
 An universal public service legally bound to the Walloon
Government by a Management Contract
 Headquarters in Brussels (foreign trade) and Namur (foreign
investment)
 7 regional centres in Wallonia
 Worldwide network of 107 economic and commercial
representatives
 450 employees (200 of which abroad)
 Budget 2009 : 72 million euros
 Certified ISO 9001 since 2002
WALLONIA : YOUR PARTNER REGION IN THE HEART OF EUROPE
www.walloniainternational.be
MAKING WALLONIA ATTRACTIVE
 ATTRACTING FDI
THROUGH KNOWLEDGE IN :
1. Promoting innovation : innovative processes
and products
2. Support for exports
3. Networking and EU institutions
4. Logistics
5. Interculturality and involvement of young
people
WALLONIA : YOUR PARTNER REGION IN THE HEART OF EUROPE
www.walloniainternational.be
1. KNOWLEDGE IN PROMOTING INNOVATIVE
PROCESSES AND PRODUCTS
• The development of competitiveness clusters
since 2005 : a new industrial policy
 research and development projects (€ 195 millions)
 training and employment schemes (€ 22 millions)
 export promotion and foreign investment attractiveness
(€ 10 millions)
 general investment incentives (€ 7 millions)
 public investment in assets and holdings specific to
clusters (€ 1 million)
WALLONIA : YOUR PARTNER REGION IN THE HEART OF EUROPE
www.walloniainternational.be
WALLOON COMPETITIVENESS CLUSTERS
• Priority given to the most promising
growth sectors:
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Life sciences (Biowin)
Aeronautics and aerospace (Skywin)
Mechanical engineering (Mecatech)
Transport and logistics (Logistics in Wallonia)
Food-processing industry (Wagralim)
WALLONIA
WALLONIA: :YOUR
YOURPARTNER
PARTNERREGION
REGIONIN
INTHE
THEHEART
HEARTOF
OFEUROPE
EUROPE
www.walloniawww.walloniainternational.be
international.be
WALLOON COMPETITIVENESS CLUSTERS
Track record since 2005 :
 495 total participants (229 private sector firms, 157 university
departments,51 research units and 58 training centres)
 123 projects underway (70 R&D projects, 39 training projects and
14 investment projects) representing a total budget of € 379 millions
(of which € 225 millions of public aid)
 8,700 new jobs created in the medium-term
 Recruitment within AWEX of 5 high-level FDI experts specialised in the
search for foreign investors in the sectors covered by the clusters :
• Responsible for 54 foreign investments in Wallonia representing
€ 208 millions and the creation of 834 new jobs
• 30% of all foreign investments concluded successfully by AWEX in
2009
 110 international actions undertaken in cooperation with AWEX
 15 cooperation agreements signed with foreign clusters
WALLONIA : YOUR PARTNER REGION IN THE HEART OF EUROPE
www.walloniawww.walloniainternational.be
international.be
KNOWLEDGE IN PROMOTING INNOVATIVE
PROCESSES AND PRODUCTS
• A magnet for foreign investment
 138 spin-offs originating from Wallonia’s universities,
representing 54% of Belgium’s total (weight of the
Walloon economy within Belgium is 24%)
 6 science parks which are vectors for partnerships
between research centers and industry
 3 incubators providing support for start-ups in emerging
technologies: Wallonia Space Logistics, Wallonia
Biotech Coaching and GIGA (applied genomics)
 2 Welcome Offices for Chinese and Indian investors
offering services to launch their activities in Europe
WALLONIA : YOUR PARTNER REGION IN THE HEART OF EUROPE
www.walloniainternational.be
2. KNOWLEDGE IN SUPPORT FOR EXPORTS
 International network of 107 Economic and
Commercial Representatives in partnership
with Flanders Investment & Trade and Bruxelles
Export
 81 run by AWEX (of which 34 are shared with
FIT and Bruxelles Export)
 12 in partnership with FIT
 14 in partnership with Bruxelles Export
 4 ‘foreign investment’ prospectors (Tokyo,
Shanghai, Chicago, San Francisco)
WALLONIA : YOUR PARTNER REGION IN THE HEART OF EUROPE
www.walloniainternational.be
WALLONIA : YOUR PARTNER REGION IN THE HEART OF EUROPE
www.walloniainternational.be
KNOWLEDGE IN SUPPORT FOR EXPORTS
Efficient information system
 General and commercial information on
foreign markets
 Market studies tailored to specific demands
 Seminars on commercial and cultural
approaches to specific markets
 Communication of business opportunities,
international tenders and information on
projects financed by international
organisations
WALLONIA : YOUR PARTNER REGION IN THE HEART OF EUROPE
www.walloniainternational.be
KNOWLEDGE IN SUPPORT FOR EXPORTS
 Wide-ranging annual export action plan
 On average : 170 international commercial actions
and 2,000 participating firms per year
 International trade fairs, economic missions,
sector-based contact days abroad, invitations of
foreign prospects and buyers in Belgium
 Aim : to offer Walloon companies of all sizes and
from all sectors a wide range of international
actions
WALLONIA : YOUR PARTNER REGION IN THE HEART OF EUROPE
www.walloniainternational.be
KNOWLEDGE IN SUPPORT FOR EXPORTS
Promotion of niche markets with a high
technological content (30% of the
programme):
 Life sciences
 Pharmaceutical products
 Food additives
 Environmental technologies
 New materials
 Electronics
 Information and communication technologies
 Security and control equipment
 Aeronautical and aerospace equipment
WALLONIA : YOUR PARTNER REGION IN THE HEART OF EUROPE
www.walloniainternational.be
KNOWLEDGE IN SUPPORT FOR EXPORTS
 Various financial incentive mechanisms
designed to help companies at all stages of
the export process (3,968 granted in 2009)
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Development of export strategies
Training and recruitment of personnel
Marketing and communication
Market exploration (trade fairs, missions, buyers invitations,
market studies, etc.)
Training of clients
Establishment of commercial offices abroad
Development of international partnerships
Risk coverage, financing and insurance of exports
WALLONIA : YOUR PARTNER REGION IN THE HEART OF EUROPE
www.walloniainternational.be
KNOWLEDGE IN SUPPORT FOR EXPORTS
 SOFINEX : Walloon society for financing exports
and the internationalisation of businesses
(93 beneficiaries in 2009)
 Trust Funds with international organisations for technical
assistance and feasibility studies regarding private-sector
projects in developing and emerging countries
 Financial tools for export promotion : bilateral credit lines,
funds for economic development projects in emerging
countries
 Direct participation in financing requirements of international
ventures (exports or investments) : banking counterguarantees, granting of credits, equity participations
WALLONIA : YOUR PARTNER REGION IN THE HEART OF EUROPE
www.walloniainternational.be
3. KNOWLEDGE IN NETWORKING
AND EU INSTITUTIONS
The Walloon House to the European Institutions
(MEWE) : a network deployment unit for
companies established in Wallonia
Functions of MEWE :
 To provide information on Community calls for tenders in
the field of economic aid and research
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7th Framework for R&D
Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP)
European Regional Development Fund (FEDER)
European Neighbouring and Partnership Instrument (ENPI)
Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA)
 To promote international partnership and networking for
Walloon-based companies and operators
WALLONIA : YOUR PARTNER REGION IN THE HEART OF EUROPE
www.walloniainternational.be
KNOWLEDGE IN NETWORKING
AND EU INSTITUTIONS
MEWE IS A MEMBER OF SEVERAL
EUROPEAN NETWORKS
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EURADA (European Association of Development Agencies)
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EREF (European Economic Regional Forum)
EBN (European Bic’s Network)
ERRIN (European Regions Research and Innovation Network)
ENRICH (European Network of Regions Improving Citizens Health)
ANIMA (Investments in MED Network)
RIBN (Research Innovation and Business Network for Central and SouthEastern Europe )
INSME (International Network for SMEs)
EEN (Enterprise Europe Network)
WALLONIA : YOUR PARTNER REGION IN THE HEART OF EUROPE
www.walloniainternational.be
KNOWLEDGE IN NETWORKING
AND EU INSTITUTIONS
NCP-Wallonia : contact point of the Walloon
Business Federation helping companies based in
Wallonia to participate in European-funded
research projects (principally FP7)
Functions of NCP-Wallonia :
 Search for potential foreign partners in
research projects
 Assistance in the preparation of research
projects (setting up of consortia, proposal
writing, contract negotiation)
 Help in supervising the good progress of
projects
WALLONIA : YOUR PARTNER REGION IN THE HEART OF EUROPE
www.walloniainternational.be
KNOWLEDGE IN NETWORKING
AND EU INSTITUTIONS
TECHNOLOGICAL NETWORKING AT WORK :
THE WALLONIA-TEXAS A&M CONNECTION
 Creates global companies through the simultaneous
commercialisation of new technologies in Europe and the
United States
 Facilitates the penetration of Walloon start-ups in the US
market
 Provides returns assistance to American start-ups willing
to enter the European market via the Walloon Region
 Links companies in Wallonia and the United States for the
creation of technological and/or commercial partnerships
 Prospects multinationals in the field of R&D to present our
respective research capabilities
WALLONIA : YOUR PARTNER REGION IN THE HEART OF EUROPE
www.walloniainternational.be
KNOWLEDGE IN NETWORKING
AND EU INSTITUTIONS
 Wallonia-Texas A&M Connection :
a Global Network of Innovation
EU
US
India
South Africa
China
Middle East
Co-Identify
Co-Protect
Co-Invest
Co-Locate
Co-Market
WALLONIA : YOUR PARTNER REGION IN THE HEART OF EUROPE
www.walloniainternational.be
4. KNOWLEDGE IN LOGISTICS
 The first logistic region in Europe according to the
latest Cushman and Wakefield study on prime
locations for European distribution and logistics
 At the centre of the so-called European logistics
banana
 300 million consumers within a radius of 1.000km
 The highest concentration of motorway
interchanges in the world
 2 international and cargo airports (Charleroi and
Liège) and second biggest European river port
(Liège)
 Six multi-modal platforms located at the
intersection of the principal European connections
(motorways, railways, airways and inland
waterways)
 Availability of quality real estate at moderate prices
 Top-ranked logistics services providers for supply
chain optimisation solutions
WALLONIA : YOUR PARTNER REGION IN THE HEART OF EUROPE
www.walloniainternational.be
KNOWLEDGE IN LOGISTICS
FDI success stories in logistical activities
Employment created
TNT (European hub)
1,200
Johnson & Johnson (medical goods)
Katoen Natie (supply chain services)
Swissport Cargo service centre
Coopervision (ocular material)
Waldico (food and domestic goods)
DeliXL (food distribution)
Lanutti (general distribution)
H&M (textile distribution)
Baxter (pharmaceuticals)
350
100
76
200
1,100
75
200
450
1,200
WALLONIA : YOUR PARTNER REGION IN THE HEART OF EUROPE
www.walloniainternational.be
5. KNOWLEDGE IN INTERCULTURALITY
AND INVOLVEMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE
LIEGE INTERNATIONAL CITY
 Managed by AWEX, Wallonia Brussels International
(WBI) and the Walloon Office for Employment and
Professional Training (FOREM)
 Common development of projects and events
stimulating the knowledge of foreign languages and
cultures as a key factor in the internationalisation
process
 Seminars on commercial and cultural approaches to
specific markets with a specific focus on the BRIC
WALLONIA : YOUR PARTNER REGION IN THE HEART OF EUROPE
www.walloniainternational.be
KNOWLEDGE IN INTERCULTURALITY AND
INVOLVEMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE
EXPLORT = PROGRAMME FOR STUDENTS AND
YOUNG GRADUATES JOB-SEEKERS
 Provides youth with intensive training in international trade
 Offers a first professional experience abroad through
market exploration assignments performed for exporting
companies
 Focuses on the development of intercultural dimensions
and language skills
 Since 2006 : more than 1.000 EXPLORT trainees have
helped Walloon companies to develop internationally
(professional insertion rate of 85%)
WALLONIA : YOUR PARTNER REGION IN THE HEART OF EUROPE
www.walloniainternational.be
KNOWLEDGE IN INTERCULTURALITY AND
INVOLVEMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE
INFORMATION CENTRE ON ISLAMIC FINANCE
AND HALAL CERTIFICATION
 Raises the awareness of Walloon-based companies on
Shariah-compliant commercial opportunities in Islamic
markets
 Assists Walloon exporters in certifying products and
services to Halal norms that are destined to Islamic
markets (principally agro-food products)
 Facilitates access to Islamic finance among Walloon
businesses
 Sets up partnerships with official organisations of the
Islamic world (e.g. = Memorandum of Understanding
signed in 2009 between AWEX and the Islamic
Development Bank based in Jeddah)
WALLONIA : YOUR PARTNER REGION IN THE HEART OF EUROPE
www.walloniainternational.be
CONCLUSION
3 T’s FOR THE
CREATIVE AGE
 TECHNOLOGY
 TALENT
 TOLERANCE
WALLONIA : YOUR PARTNER REGION IN THE HEART OF EUROPE
www.walloniainternational.be
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
www.awex.be
www.wallonia-international.be
www.investinwallonia.be
WALLONIA : YOUR PARTNER REGION IN THE HEART OF EUROPE
www.walloniainternational.be