Francois Colonval

Owner and CEO South Export Alliance

Brussels Region, Belgium

About

I was recruited by Ernst and Young Belgium (EY) even before I graduated with bachelor's degrees in accounting at the Haute Ecole Leuven in Hainaut in Mons, but shortly before the end of my probationary period, I decided to change orientation because I began to realize accounting wasn’t all what I dream of. Since I was a teenager, I've always wanted to run my own business. So after a very enriching experience in Vietnam with the Biebuyck company, thanks to the EXPLORT Program (Internship program coordinated by AWEX), I decided to go with international trade. With an idea and some help, and here I am launching my own project. Since April 2016, I am head of my startup company: South Export Alliance (www.southexportalliance.be, the website will be rebuild shortly), specializing in coconut products from the region of Ben Tre in Vietnam, a region that I love very much. I am actively learning Vietnamese and I hope that I will be master in this language in late 2018. Beside that, I am open to all specific work proposals in other structures (If time allows), I also have VAT number so I can charge my services in various fields, such as accounting, finance, logistics, international trade, etc. If your company is interested in Vietnam and whatever the field in, do not hesitate to contact me, I can be very useful for your project. I can also share my entrepreneurial experience to whom it may interest. Last but not least, I am currently working on 2 other future business projects. So if you are interested in what I am doing, please contact me throught my email.

Experience

  • Co-fondateur at FRAVINDAM
    Mar 2025 - Present · 1 yr 5 mos

  • Accountant at BAM - Belgian Association of Marketing
    Sep 2022 - Present · 3 yrs 11 mos

    Senior accountant

  • Owner and CEO at South Export Alliance
    Apr 2016 - Present · 10 yrs 4 mos

    Founder of the company South Export Alliance. We are a Belgian company specialised in the importation of Vietnamese food products. Our registered office is based in Brussels, where most of our customers are. South Export Alliance is the biggest supplier of Vietnamese food products in Belgium. I am responsible for: daily management, supplier relationship management, purchase management, stock management, accounting, importation, customs, offers, etc.

  • Trainer - Teacher at IFAPME
    Oct 2019 - Present · 6 yrs 10 mos

    Teacher for future entrepreneurs. I am in charge of teaching the financial aspects, accounting and marketing strategy of small mid-sized businesses. Evening classes.

  • Senior Accountant at Erasmus Student Network
    May 2019 - Sep 2019 · 5 mos

    Replacement during maternity leave.