HSBC Bank has become a new Structural Partner of the Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce (FCCC).
HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organizations. With around 4,400 offices in both established and emerging markets, HSBC aims to be where the growth is, connecting customers to opportunities, enabling businesses to thrive and economies to prosper, and, ultimately, helping people to fulfil their hopes and realize their ambitions.

HSBC serves around 46 million customers through four Global Businesses: Retail Banking and Wealth Management, Commercial Banking, Global Banking and Markets, and Global Private Banking. The bank’s network covers 71 countries and territories in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa, North America and Latin America. Listed on the London, Hong Kong, New York, Paris and Bermuda stock exchanges, shares in HSBC Holdings plc are held by about 213,000 shareholders in 133 countries and territories.

Read about HSBC Group’s performance for the first half of 2016 in the Interim Report 2016.

Trends Magazine has nominated Mr Bart De Smet, Vice Chairman of the Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce (FCCC) and CEO of Ageas, Manager of the Year. He was instrumental in building a successful insurer on the basis of Fortis, the magazine wrote. Chairman of the jury Luc Vandewalle said that Ageas has become a respected insurer which is not only well represented in Europe, but also in Asia, where Ageas acquired business in Vietnam and the Philippines as it sold its assets in Hong Kong.

We have the pleasure to inform you that Mr Jochum S. Haakma, has been elected Chairman of the EU-China Business Association. This was decided at the Extra-Ordinary Assembly of EUCBA, which took place on 8 December in Brussels.

Mr Haakma is a lawyer, former career diplomat and an expert in a.o. the field of trade and investment promotion. He was from 1978 assigned to a number of Dutch Embassies abroad (Rome, Lusaka, Bonn). From 1997 until 2002 he served as Consul-General in Hong Kong/Macao and from 2002 until 2006 as Consul-General in Shanghai. In 2006 he was appointed Managing Director of the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency. In September 2007 he moved to the private sector and was appointed Global Executive Director Business Development of the TMF Group BV in Amsterdam. Mr Jochum Haakma is also in the Board of several business organisations and Chairman of the Executive Board of the Netherlands Council (NCH) for Trade Promotion, Chairman of the China Business Council of the NCH. Mr Stephen Phillips, Chief Executive of the China-Britain Business Council has stepped down as Chairman of EUCBA. The members thanked Mr Phillips for his work over the last decade.

The FCCC plays a leading role in the EU-China Business Association. Mr Philippe Van der Donckt, Business Development Director Asia at Umicore, Vice-Chairman FCCC takes up the Vice-Chairmanship of EUCBA, while Gwenn Sonck, Executive Director FCCC, takes up the role as secretary general of EUCBA.

On the occasion of the 45th anniversary of establishment of China-Belgium diplomatic relations, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel will visit China in late October after a March visit was postponed due to the terrorist attacks in Brussels. In line with the significant event, China Daily proposes to launch a “Belgium Special” during the visit. Thespecial report will highlight the development of the mutual beneficial cooperation between the two countries. Most importantly, the supplement will provide a platform for Chinese and Belgian companies to promote their products and services and exchange information for future partnerships.

For more information, send an e-mail to Hou Yanli.

On 22 September Hainan Airlines celebrated its 10th anniversary at the Tangla Hotel in Brussels. Hainan Airlines is the only airline which has direct flights between Beijing and Brussels. Speeches were given by His Excellency Ambassador Qu Xing and Mr Olivier Yang, General Manager, Hainan Airlines. The Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce was represented by Ms Gwenn Sonck, Executive Director.