The Wallonia Foreign Trade and Investment Agency (AWEX) is the Wallonia - Region of Belgium’s government agency in charge of foreign trade promotion and foreign investment attraction. The agency has a worldwide network of 105 Economic and Trade Attachés. AWEX is ISO 9001 certified since April 2002.
As a foreign trade agency
AWEX carries out a mission of promotion and information for the benefit of both Wallonia and the foreign business community. Upon request, AWEX assists buyers, decision-makers, importers and foreign prospects by: providing economic data on Wallonia and its export potential, disseminating information on products and services from companies located in Wallonia, identifying companies in Wallonia for international partnerships, distributing lists of exporters from Wallonia.
As an export partner
For Wallonia-based companies, AWEX offers a wide range of export-oriented services and activities: general and commercial information on foreign markets, market studies tailored to specific areas upon request, organization and planning of marketing activities (international trade shows, economic missions, sector-based contact days…), establishing contacts with international organizations, promoting Wallonia’s export potential abroad, financial support and export financing, training in international careers.
As a foreign investment agency
AWEX has an overall responsibility for the attraction of foreign investment in Wallonia. This includes seeking out and providing information to potential foreign investors. The Agency also offers a pro-active follow-up service to investors already established in Wallonia. In addition, it is in charge of identifying new foreign investors for the acquisition of industrial sites under restructuring process.
BUSINESS SECTORS
Five competitiveness clusters were officially launched in July 2006 as part of the Walloon region’s economic and social redeployment plan, known as the "Marshall Plan" for Wallonia. They have strong potential and the critical mass of academic and industrial actors necessary to emerge as an international force.
The principle of the competitiveness cluster is to bring together the entire research combining innovation and the education chain so that they can work together around joint projects geared to launch Wallonia’s know-how internationally.
This process is in constant move, over the years, hence generating several other clusters.
The five initial targeted areas are...
Health
The objective of this Cluster called « BioWin », is to achieve an effective networking of the required skills for promoting the development of innovative diagnostic or therapeutic in the Region.
Aerospace
It groups industrial companies, universities, research centers and training centers together for specific projects. Aerospace is a major activity in Wallonia, representing a total workforce of 6800 and turnover of EUR 1.15 billion.
Agri-Food
From the farm to the fork via the lab. The aim of this cluster is to develop new food ingredients. The focus in on very small companies so that they can look around and see what they need to develop their projects.
Logistics in Wallonia
Aims to support Wallonia to be THE land of logistics. Its geographical location at the center of the European Union and it’s highly developed logistics infrastructure make Wallonia a perfect place from wich to manage an EU-wide supply chain.
Mechanical engineering
Whether in developing new technologies or new materials, or simply adding to existing processes. Walloon companies have the expertise and the will to be market leaders.
