BLCCA
Belgian-Luxembourg Chambers of Commerce Abroad (BLCCA) are privately established business organizations created by entrepreneurs from Belgium and Luxembourg who are active in third countries. With their international experience and wide network of contacts, they support Belgian and Luxembourg companies in their international expansion and they promote the image of the two countries abroad. Currently, 33 BLCCA have been accredited by the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Belgian Chambers of Commerce.
Every year, a BLCCA Academy is organized in Belgium or Luxembourg where the BLCCA meet and share experiences. One of the objectives of this Academy is to show the BLCCA the economic strengths and the know-how of the country. The knowledge the BLCCA gather during their visit enables them to promote Luxembourg and Belgium better in their respective countries and to play the role of business ambassador for the companies and industries.
On June 24 and 25, the Chamber of Commerce organised, in close collaboration with the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Belgium, the annual BLCCA Academy which started off at the House of Startups. CEO Karin Schintgen and her team presented the dynamic Luxembourg start-up environment and the numerous services offered by the House of Startups. During his welcome speech, Director General Carlo Thelen, said that beside the Embassies, the BLCCA constitute the reference network of the Chamber of Commerce for internationalization activities of companies. With a wealth of experience in the business community in their respective countries, they can not only provide information on existing business opportunities in their markets, but also provide support to companies entering a new market.
The focus of the 2019 Chamber Academy was set on Ecoinnovation, and the visit at Neobuild kicked off this program. Neobuild is the first and unique technological innovation pole for the sustainable construction sector in Luxembourg. Their building in Bettembourg is a real laboratory that hosts more than 100 different materials, products and systems. Director Francis Schwall and his team led the BLCCA delegation through the nearly zero energy building which offers various possibilities for monitoring and testing.
At the Chateau d'Urspelt, the BLCCA had the opportunity to exchange best practices and discuss joint projects during the workshops related to membership recruitment and retention, communication, and the collaboration with other stakeholders.
During the official dinner, Romain Poulles, President of the Ecoinnovation Cluster at Luxinnovation and CEO of PROGroup, gave an inspiring speech about the importance of rethinking our business models in order to include circular economy concepts. He even put a hammer to his own cellphone to prove his point that the device although still made from the same materials and resources has, in the mind of most people, just lost all its value.
The highlight of the following day was the GreenTour at Tarkett. Tarkett is a global leader present in 35 countries, active in innovative and sustainable solutions for flooring and sports surfaces. Since 2011, the company has been deploying a comprehensive circular economy strategy based on its closed loop circular design model. This is driven by an extensive eco-innovation strategy, which positively contributes to people's health and well-being. The GreenTour showcases the engagement of the company in an interactive tour through various stations within the Tarkett factory in Clervaux which employs more than 500 people.
The Echevin of the city of Wiltz, Pierre Koppes, welcomed the delegation at the Chateau in Wiltz to talk about the numerous circular economy projects taking place in his city, of which "Wunne matt der Wooltz" and "Salzbaach II" are only two examples. After having drawn part of its former glory from large manufacturing industries which have now disappeared, the capital of the Luxembourg Ardennes is thinking and living "circular", ever since it was designated, in 2015, as the municipal hotspot of the circular economy in the country.
The Chamber Academy 2019 attracted record numbers of participants who were drawn to the circular economy program in order to learn about new developments and projects in Luxembourg. The feedback from the participants was overwhelmingly positive and the BLCCA representatives will return to their respective countries with new ideas they can share about the Luxembourg Ecosystem.
For more information about this event, please contact: blcca@cc.lu
