Join the Economic mission & Brussels showroom EXPO 2020 - Brussels Days 2022
Brussels Days during EXPO 2020
Deadline to apply is November 7th!
hub.brussels is pleased to invite you to its next economic mission in the United Arab Emirates, which will take place in Abu Dhabi and Dubai from 31 January till 4 February 2022.
This mission will form an integral part of the Brussels Days and will benefit from the presence of a ministerial delegation of the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region headed by Minister-President Rudi Vervoort, Minister Sven Gatz and State Secretary Pascal Smet.
The Brussels Days are meant to position Brussels on the international scene. Together with our partners visit.brussels and Brussels International a series of activities in the economic, political and cultural field are planned to highlight the pertinence of the Brussels-Capital-Region in the world. These activities include creating networking opportunities at the highest level with businesses and local authorities, promote our economic dynamism and ecosystem; showcase our know-how, artisans and creators; and promote our cultural richness, gastronomy and touristic and MICE potential.
The Brussels Days will also coincide with the EXPO 2020 (October 2021 - March 2022) in Dubai. This event is the first public international happening since the Covid 19 crisis and should welcome nearly 25 million visitors from Asia, the Middle East, Africa and from Europe.
The EXPO will take place on a gigantic 4.38 km² site with the aim of encouraging creativity, innovation and collaboration on a global scale around the theme "Connecting minds, creating the future". This space will be divided into three main parts, each focused on a sub-theme: Mobility, Sustainability and Opportunity.
During our mission we will take advantage of the prestigious Belgian pavilion on the EXPO site but we will also organise activities (company & site visits, networking events, workshops...) in the wider vicinity of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Participating companies will thus have the opportunity to benefit from the network, expertise and logistics organisation of hub.brussels in order to be put in contact with privileged prospects in a favourable business climate !
Partners
The Brussels days will be organised by the Brussels public agencies hub.brussels, visit.brussels and Brussels International.
hub.Brussels will also work together with Brussels Exclusive Labels, UPSI-BVS , Belgian Finance Center and FinTech Belgium.
Where
The roadshows will take place in Abu Dhabi and Dubai (United Arab Emirates) and the showroom will be located in Dubai.
Sectors
The economic mission will focus on the following sectors:
Craftmanship and exclusive high-quality products
Dubai is a regional hub for fashionable, high-end, trendy and memorable products. Therefore, we plan to set up a temporary showroom of luxury products at a prime location in Dubai (Dubai Design District or DIFC or Alserkal Avenue, ...) where Brussels companies can showcase their products and services to the local business community. The main set up will be B2B oriented, but the location will also benefit from a natural flow of visiting local consumers.
In addition, complementary to the physical showroom, a digital showroom will be foreseen for several weeks. This digital presence is in line with the modern marketing standards and will allow additional lead generation, visibility and marketing opportunities so the local community can visit your catalogues and make appointments.
The indicative program for the showroom is as follows:
Monday 31 January
AM-PM: Build up showroom by local team
14:55 : Flight Brussels to Dubai (Emirates EK184)
00:35 : Arrival and transfer to hotel
Tuesday 1 February
AM-PM : Soft opening of the showroom
Wednesday 2 February
AM : Inauguration Showroom by Brussels ministers
AM : Event visit.brussels: Brussels as a touristic destination
PM : Visit of the Belgian Pavilion with ministerial delegation
EVENING : Dinner @Belgian pavilion EXPO 2020
Thursday 3 February
MORNING : Breakfast with the Belgian Business Council Dubai
AM-PM : Showroom
EVENING : Networking reception @Brussels Showroom
Friday 4 February
AM-PM : Showroom
Saturday 5 February
AM-PM : Showroom and visit Federal delegation (Belgian Day)
EVENING : Build down by local crew
Sunday 6 February
AM : Return to Belgium
Financial services and technology
The UAE are the regional hub for financial services and technological innovation and a gateway to the emerging markets. Lately Abu Dhabi, the richest Emirate, is trying to rival Dubai by its own finance and technological ecosystem. Ranking in the top 10 Global Financial Centres Index for the first time in 2019, Dubai has taken its place alongside other major financial powerhouses as not just one of the leading global businesses hubs but the de facto financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region.
To understand this new dynamic and learn about these both Emirates, we foresee a roadshow to Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
In Abu Dhabi the program will focus on the following activities:
- Pitching, network meetings and exchanges with pertinent counterparts at the premisses of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the international financial centre of Abu Dhabi, and HUB71, Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem.
- A network reception at the Belgian Embassy
In Dubai the following activities are planned:
- Pitching, network meetings and exchanges with pertinent counterparts at the premisses of DIFC, Dubai International Financial Centre
- Meetings with family offices
- A visit and reception at the Belgian Pavilion
Construction, real estate and urban development
When it comes to urban development, the sky is literally the limit in the UAE. Consequently, the best way to understand this dynamic and meet key stakeholders is to organise a roadshow to Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
In Abu Dhabi the agenda will highlight the following activities:
- A guided visit to the sustainable city Masdar
- Visit to emblematic buildings (e.g., BESIX, cultural projects on Saadiyat Island)
- A network reception at the Belgian Embassy
In Dubai the following activities are planned:
- High-level conference with Dubai Municipality on urban planning
- Visit to some iconic buildings, sustainable areas and Besix 3D printing facility
- Meeting with real estate developers (Emaar, Nakheel, Damac, etc…)
- A visit and reception at the Belgian Pavilion and iconic sustainable pavilions on the EXPO site
Participation – Registration details
Participation can be done by registering via this link bellow before the 7th of November 2021.
The participation fees are as follows:
- Financial / Tech / Construction / Real Estate Roadshows:
* 50 € for start-ups with less than 4 years old
* 100 € for SMEs
* 300 € companies > 250 people
plus accommodation and flights (we will work with a travel agency) - (Approximately 250 € ex. local taxes / night for the accommodation)
- Showroom : €1.000 participation fee (including the physical and digital showroom, the marketing, the expertise of an organizer of popup stores, the networkings events)
plus accommodation and flights (we will work with a travel agency) (Approximately 250 € ex. local taxes / night for the accommodation)
Since the places are limited, companies which profiles correspond closely to the preselected sectors will be given priority.
The final program can vary due to the sanitary restrictions and COVID evolution in the UAE. Due to the stringent sanatory measures in the UAE, participants are urged to be vaccinated to fully participate in the program. Please also regularly check the travel advice of the Belgian Embassy.
Subsidies
Brussels Economy and Employment offers financial incentives that can support your commercial prospecting efforts abroad. In this case, you might benefit from subsidies if your company meets the general conditions and if your application suggests sufficient economic returns. For more information on subsidies for your prospection trip, visit the website of Brussels Economy and Employment.
Attention please: your application has to be introduced at least the day before your departure.
Contact
Ghislain BREYDEL
Area Manager Middle East & North Africa
+32 499 86 80 45
