Brussels, Brussels Region, Belgium
Steering the diplomatic and economic strategies of the Brussels-Capital Region, my role as Head of Unit for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation encompasses the execution of bilateral agreements and development programs. My education in Political Science and Government from Université libre de Bruxelles, complemented by advanced language studies at ISTI, empowers me to navigate the complexities of international relations with nuanced expertise. In parallel, as Government Commissioner on the Board of Directors at the Belgian Foreign Trade Agency, I contribute to shaping the nation's trade policies. This position leverages my diplomatic skills and multilingual fluency, enabling me to effectively represent and advance regional interests on an international stage. My commitment to fostering global partnerships fuels my ongoing contributions to Belgium's economic and diplomatic initiatives.
As an Export Advisor, I support and assist Brussels-based companies seeking to expand their operations into foreign markets. This support can take the form of individual advice and coaching, but also a collective form of assistance with participation in trade fairs or economic missions abroad.
The Board of Directors of the Belgian Foreign Trade Agence, whose Honorary President is His Majesty the King of the Belgians, is made up of sixteen members appointed by the Regional governments and the federal government, providing an equal representation of public and private sectors. Each Region thus appoints a Government Commissioner. Decisions regarding the promotion of Belgian foreign trade, and in particular the organization of princely economic missions and state visits, are reached during the meetings of the Board of Directors.
As occasional translator for the Translation Department of the Chamber of Representatives (the Belgian Federal Parliament), I translate a very wide range of texts in both French and Dutch, including the following documents: • Summary reports of plenary sessions and committee meetings of the Chamber of Representatives during which oral questions are addressed; • Speeches held by the Speaker of the Chamber, minutes of the Conference of Presidents, texts intended for the Governance Committee, reports from overseas missions, the Chamber's Magazine, administrative and technical notes, etc.
As Advisor in International Relations, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation to the Secretary of State of the Brussels-Capital Region in charge of European and International Relations and Foreign Trade, I ensure the proper implementation of Brussels diplomatic and economic policies. These policies are implemented on the one hand by Brussels International, the administration in charge of international relations for the Brussels-Capital Region, and allow to execute around thirty bilateral agreements with other partner cities and regions across the world and to set up development cooperation programs. On the other hand, the strategic political orientations instructed to hub.brussels, the administration responsible for supporting entrepreneurship in the Brussels-Capital Region, aim to support Brussels exporting companies in high-potential sectors. Some of the major political achievements made during the 2019-2024 term of office are: - The design and implementation of an international city-marketing strategy for Brussels (https://www.internationalbrand.brussels/en/home); - The expansion of the Brussels international network (opening of offices in Rabat, Sao Paulo, Copenhagen, Ramallah and Geneva) and the opening of two Brussels Houses, in Milan and Barcelona; - The broadening of the competencies of the Representatives of the Brussels-Capital Region to include bi- and multilateral diplomatic, cultural and tourism skills. - The design and implementation of a personalized support strategy for Brussels entrepreneurs who are taking their first international steps; - The organization of the Brussels component of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2024.
Hub.brussels, the Brussels business support Agency, is – among many other things – in charge of the internationalization of the Brussels economy and helps its businesses compete in global markets thanks to a worldwide network of economic and commercial attachés. Moreover, hub.brussels also attracts potential foreign investors to Brussels, providing them with assistance in establishing their business right in the heart of Europe. Concrete initiatives include multi-sectoral trade missions abroad, the participation to main international trade fairs, the welcoming of foreign trade delegations, etc. As International and Foreign Trade Advisor within the Agency's strategic support unit, I stood by the general management for the design, implementation and running of the international export and investment strategy of hub.brussels. Furthermore, I ensured the proper preparation of the decision-making bodies of hub.brussels (Board of Directors, Management Committee, Strategic Commission, etc.) and also took part on behalf of the Agency in meetings with the Brussels Secretary of State in charge of European and International Relations and Foreign Trade as well as with other regional partners (brussels.international, visit.brussels, Brussels Commissioner for Europe and International Organisations).