What a great few days in Luxembourg  for the Belgian Luxembourg Chambers of Commerce abroad (BLCCA) Academy 2026 in joint organisation with the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce.The Academy highlighted the strength of our international network: connecting people, sharing experiences and learning from one another, all to the benefit of our members and their commercial, trade and investment ambitions.Our visit to Belval Campus was especially inspiring. The transformation of the former Arbed steel site into a hub for research, education, innovation and entrepreneurship reflects Luxembourg’s economic evolution and ambitions in start-ups, HealthTech, CleanTech, SpaceTech, AI and advanced technologies.The visit to Domaine Henri Ruppert in Schengen  offered the perfect balance: time to reconnect, enjoy the vineyards and discover Luxembourg wine.  Dirk EVENEPOEL helped us to polish our personal ‘brand’ and improve how others  will ‘remember us’.  The key takeaway: Chambers are at their strongest when they build bridges between countries, companies, people, ideas and generations. Looking forward to turning the conversations and ideas from Luxembourg into concrete cooperation.Grateful to the Belgian Luxembourg Chambers of Commerce abroad (BLCCA), the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce and everyone who made these days so insightful and enjoyable. 

Ever wondered where “Schengen” is? Ever heard that the Benelux serves as “laboratory” for the EU?When collaboration crosses borders, meaningful opportunities follow.That spirit was at the heart of our Benelux Day 2026 celebration in Istanbul, jointly organized by the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye, the Dutch Business Association Turkey and the Dutch Consulate General Istanbul.Hosted at the Dutch Consulate in Istanbul, the evening brought together Belgian, Luxembourgish, Dutch and Turkish business communities for valuable conversations, new connections and a shared celebration of the strong ties between our countries.The Benelux may be a small region, but its commitment to cooperation, innovation and economic partnership serves as a “laboratory”  for broader EU deployment. We are like-minded countries, we test, we experiment and scale up on a EU level.We sincerely thank Consul General of the Netherlands Dan Huisinga and everyone who joined us and helped make the evening such a memorable success.We were honored by the presence of H.E. Ambassador of Belgium Hendrik Van de Velde and H.E. Ambassador of Luxembourg Daniel Da Cruz.We had the plessure of warmly welcoming Belgian Consul General-designate in Istanbul Arnaud Lion. We wish him success and are looking forward to a constructive dialogue and cooperation.Let us continue strengthening Benelux–Türkiye business ties and expanding this network in Türkiye and beyond — turning connections into partnerships and partnerships into progress.  

Some farewells are easier than others… this wasn’t one of them.Yesterday evening, the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye  had the pleasure of hosting a farewell happy hour for Tim Van Anderlecht, Consul General of Belgium 🇧🇪 in Istanbul, as he concludes his mission in Türkiye. The iconic Pera Palace Hotel was the perfect ‘sunset’ setting.  Tim has been far more than a regular guest at our events. He has been a genuine supporter of the Chamber, a trusted partner, and someone who always understood that strong business communities are built on relationships, dialogue, and (occasionally)… a Belgian.From promoting Belgian interests to championing ethical business practices and good governance, Tim has consistently been present, engaged, and ready to lend his support. His commitment has made a real difference to our Chamber and its members.Those efforts culminated in the outstanding success of the 2026 Belgian Economic Mission to Türkiye, led by Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of the Belgians, a milestone that reflected months of dedication, collaboration, and effort.Dear Tim, thank you for your friendship, your dedication and your unwavering support. We wish you every success and happiness in your next assignment. Whoever has the privilege of welcoming you next is gaining not only an excellent diplomat, but also someone who genuinely brings people together 🙏.Safe travels, Tim—and remember: our door (and the happy hour) will always be open for you. 

The highly successful Belgian Economic Mission to Türkiye, led by Her Majesty Queen Mathilde, took place on May 10–14, 2026. Bringing together over 400 delegates, the mission resulted in around 40 strategic commercial agreements and MOUs spanning energy, advanced manufacturing, defense, and logistics.A monumental week for Belgian-Turkish business relations!From May 10 to 14, we witnessed the highly successful Belgian Economic Mission to Türkiye , presided over by Her Majesty Queen Mathilde. Marking the first high-level trade and diplomatic visit in 14 years, this mission brought together a delegation of over 400 business and government leaders.As the historic economic bridge between Europe and Asia, Türkiye offers immense opportunities for partnership. Over the course of the five days, Belgian and Turkish innovators engaged in high-level B2B matchmaking, industry seminars, and critical policy discussions, culminating in around 40 new commercial deals.Key areas of strategic collaboration included:-Energy Transition & Sustainability-Transport, Logistics, & Port Operations-Health, Pharma, & Life Sciences-Aerospace & Defence-Digitalisation & Industry 4.0As the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye (BLCCT), we are thrilled to see the strengthening of bilateral trade and the signing of vital agreements. This mission has paved the way for long-term strategic alliances and lasting partnerships between our business communities. As the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye (BLCCT) we are proud to be the sponsor of the official Belgian Reception that took place in Istanbul on Monday May 11, 2026. It was attended by Queen Mathilde, Turkish Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat, and international business leaders.A heartfelt thank you to all our members, government officials, the Embassy of Belgium in Ankara, the Consulate of Belgium in Istanbul, and partnering trade agencies (AWEX, hub.brussels, FIT, and BFTA) who made this landmark event a resounding success.We look forward to transforming the momentum from this week into continued growth for our members and the broader business ecosystem! 

The Board of Directors had a delightful breakfast in Istanbul, soaking in the stunning Bosphorus view with Wouter Van Gulck from BLCCA during his visit for the Belgian Economic Mission to Türkiye.Engaging in uplifting conversations in such a warm atmosphere is always a highlight when the mission is in town. 

We are pleased to share that the Ordinary General Assembly of the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye has successfully taken place on April 18, 2026, marking an important milestone for our Chamber in its 100th year of existence. We wholeheartedly thank Tim Van Anderlecht, Consul General of Belgium in Istanbul, for opening the magnificent Belgian Palace in Istanbul.During the Assembly, members voted on the composition of the new Board, Co-Board, Audit Committee and Alternate Audit Committee. This renewed governance structure reflects our continued commitment to transparency, accountability and effective oversight—key pillars for sustainable growth.Board: Hans Broucke (Chair), Asım Günalp, Nil Tunasar, Dr. Şerhan Şimsek, Zeynep Bosna, Gözde Esen Sakar, Cem Hüryan.Co-Board: Bahar Çapkın, Ahmet Turgut, Gürcan İmdat, Arzu Özer, Burak Bektaş.Audit Committee: Ömer Tayfun Yumak, Kerem Kapancı, Ali Zihni Feyzioğlu.Alternate Audit Committee: Esra Omuzluoğlu, Neslihan Nigiz Ulak, Erman Kilerci.We wish everyone, being incumbent or newly elected, great success and engagement.The Assembly also provided an opportunity to reflect on a strong 2025. Throughout the year, the Chamber further strengthened its role as a trusted platform connecting businesses across  ,  and  , fostering trade, investment and meaningful partnerships.Above all, we remain fully committed to our mission by creating tangible opportunities for our members and partners.  

COP31, the UN Climate Conference, will take place this year in Antalya, Türkiye. It brings together businesses, policymakers, investors and civil society to advance climate action, partnerships and market opportunities.On March 3, the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye in cooperation with FutureWise Partners, organised a webinar for its members in which the objectives of COP31 and what topics are expected to be discusssed were elaborated on. Special focus was put on the Turkish agenda related to agribusiness, logistics and the role of FI’s.Grateful to Sandrine Ramboux, CFA , Ergem Şenyuva Tohumcu and Gabriel Thoumi, CFA, FRM, Certified Ecologist, LEED AP for sharing their expertise on the topic.  

The Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye Network Cocktail in Pera Palace Hotel brought together members of our business community in a relaxed and informal setting where meaningful connections naturally unfold.In today’s interconnected world, opportunities often arise not only from what you know, but from who you know. Because in business, “your network is your net worth”.On the agenda of our Members:-The recently launched “Primus Inter Pares Sustainability Award” with 2026 focus on Climate Change (we encourage all Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye members to participate and submit their application);-March 3 webinar on COP31;-April 15, “Europe in the New World Economy” by Koen De Leus, Chief Economist BNP Paribas Fortis;-The upcoming (May 10-14) Belgian Economic Mission to Türkiye. 

On December 8th, 2025 the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye  organised an insightful seminar on “Turning the Tide: Opportunities and Challenges in Türkiye’s  Economy” with Okan Ertem as speaker.With more than 35 members in attendance, the session sparked valuable discussions on Türkiye’s evolving economic landscape. The evening continued with a vibrant cocktail reception, offering great interaction and networking opportunities for all participants.A big thank you to everyone who joined and contributed to such an engaging event!Special thanks to Tim Van Anderlecht for hosting and opening the event. 

Celebrating a New Chapter of Collaboration!The  Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye is delighted to congratulate Ms. Yeşim Hattat, Honorary Consul of Luxembourg in Istanbul, with the festive and official opening of the Consulate of Luxembourg in Istanbul.The opening of the Consulate marks an important milestone in strengthening the ties between Luxembourg and Türkiye.As the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye we look forward to a fruitful and mutually rewarding cooperation, working together to foster business connections, support our respective communities and create new opportunities that benefit both nations.We extend our warmest wishes to Ms.Hattat for continued success and are excited about the collaborative journey ahead. 

An exquisite lunch, organised by the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye, was a perfect occasion to warmly welcome His Excellency Daniel Da Cruz, the newly appointed Luxembourg Ambassador to Türkiye. It was a pleasure to meet and to hear his vision for strengthening the ties between Luxembourg and the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye A sincere thank you to the Luxembourg embassy for their unwavering support and for the pivotal role it continues to play in fostering strong economic and commercial relations between Luxembourg and Türkiye.Wishing the Ambassador great success in his new assignment, may his tenure be marked by fruitful collaboration, new initiatives and continued progress in bilateral relations. 

We are grateful to our esteemed member KOROZO GROUP for hosting a delegation of the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye. Great hospitality, interesting insights and a tangible plant visit. As a key take away we were impressed by:Commitment: Korozo demonstrates a deep commitment to sustainability — not just as a marketing promise, but embedded in its corporate strategy, governance and operations.Balanced approach: Their “People-Packaging-Planet” framework ensures they don’t just focus on environmental metrics, but also social (workplace, gender equality) and governance issues.Ambitious yet concrete goals: Korozo’s targets (e.g., for recyclability, emissions, PCR content) are clearly defined and time-bound, which suggests seriousness.Transparency: Using GRI-aligned reporting and having a dedicated Sustainability Committee, supports accountability. Innovation-driven: actively driving product­-level sustainability, not just incremental improvements.

You know what they say: nothing connects people faster than a good beer, a little networking and the mild confusion of trying to explain what exactly your company does … for the fifth time. An awesome November Happy Hour, courtesy of the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye in an formidable Pera Palace Hotel. 

The Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye had the privilege of participating in the 2025 Belgian Luxembourg Chambers of Commerce abroad (BLCCA) Academy, held on September 24-25 in Antwerp and Brussels. Day 1 kicked off with an inspiring visit to the Port of Antwerp-Bruges — a strategic global hub in the heart of Europe. We explored how the port is not only advancing sustainable growth and supporting the energy transition, but also strengthens global supply chains through international partnerships and training initiatives.Day 2 was all about sharing, challenging and growing within the Belgian Luxembourg Chambers of Commerce abroad (BLCCA) network. A full day dedicated to peer exchange, open dialogue and cross-border collaboration -including valuable conversations with representatives from FIT - Flanders Investment & Trade.Many thanks to Wouter Van Gulck and Lieve Peeters and the entire Belgian Chambers team for their leadership and ‘drive for more’.The Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye delegation (from left to right): Cem Hüryan, Seda Aras, Hans Broucke Gözde Esen Sakar. 

Happy Benelux Day! On September 5, we celebrate the unity and cooperation between Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg – three neighbors bound by shared history, values and a strong commitment to regional collaboration.The Benelux Day networking event held on September 4 at the iconic Pera Palace Hotel in Istanbul and co-organised by the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye and the Dutch Business Association Turkey was an ideal occassion to re-connect with members after a well-deserved Turkish (hot) summer break.Cheers to friendship, progress and the spirit of Benelux! Nil Tunasar, Ahmet Turgut, Asım Günalp, Zeynep Bosna, Hans Broucke, Cem Huryan,Tim Van Anderlecht, Nicolas-Koray NAMER, Mehtap AKIN, Dr. Serhan Simsek (missing on photo)Thank you Winne van den Bosch and Ufuk Gedikli for the collaboration! 

As a founding member of the European-Turkish Trade and Investment Council, ETTIC, the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye (represented by its Board Member Dr. Serhan Simsek), attended several meetings in Brussels with representatives of DG Trade and the European External Action Service, EEAS on June 23, 2025. Main agenda points: 👉the changes in the geopolitical- & geoeconomic context, driving a stronger cooperation between the EU and Türkiye 👉the modernization and upgrade of the EU Türkiye Customs Union 

We are proud to announce that Hans Broucke, Chairperson of the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye (BLCCT), has been elected to the Board of the Federation of Belgian Chambers of Commerce, following the General Assembly held in Brussels on 20 June 2025.

On May 12, 2025, hosted by the Consulate General of Belgium in Istanbul, the event was organized in Palais de Belgique in cooperation with the Ethics and Reputation Society (TEID) and the Belgium-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce (BLCCT) and addressed current developments in the field of ethics, compliance and responsible business practices in the business world. The event began with opening speeches by Tim Van Anderlecht, Consul General of Belgium in Istanbul, and Hans Broucke, President of BLCCT. Then, Dylan van de Ven from the OECD Center for Responsible Business delivered his speech titled “Beyond Compliance: Strengthening Integrity through Responsible Business Conduct.”The panel section of the event was moderated by Banu Özyalçın, TEİD Board Member and Siemens Turkey Chief Compliance Officer. In the panel titled “Business Integrity, Business Ethics, Anti-Bribery Anti-Corruption (ABAC) and Responsible Business Conduct (RBC)”; Arzu Özer (HRD Antwerp Turkey Board Member and Vice President), Emre Atabay, CAMS (TEB Compliance Director), Ayça Güntülü ALKAN ÖZDEMİR (Air Liquide Legal Manager and Ethics Correspondent) and İrem Carenza (Ford Otosan Compliance Leader) shared their experiences and corporate approaches with the participants. The event ended with a networking meeting where many representatives from the business world came together. In this section, the participants had the opportunity to exchange information and experiences on ethical and responsible business culture.

It was a pleasure to interact with Voka - Kamer van Koophandel Antwerpen-Waasland on the occassion of their trade mission to Istanbul on May 8th, 2025. As Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye. We are pleased to contribute to the development of commercial relationships between Belgium and Türkiye.

The Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye organized an event titled "Economic Update :”Cloudy with Silver Linings” at the Consulate General of Belgium on April 14th,2025.Following the recent political events in Türkiye and the April 2 “US Liberation Day” trade tariffs announcement, it was the perfect time to have our members interact and exchange views and expectations with Hakan Aklar TEB Chief Economist.The US imposed global-wide trade tariffs and its impact on Türkiye was assessed:👉Türkiye less impacted with a reciprocal tariff of 10%.👉Türkiye’s trade balance with the US is balanced (USD 16.3 bio exports vs. USD 16.2 bio imports).👉Secondary impact for Türkiye could be triggered by lower demand in main EU economies, but EU defense spending can create a positive impetus for Türkiye.China’s commodity imports have declined, leading to lower commodity prices: 👍positive for Türkiye.On the domestic front:End 2025 CPI expectation of 30%.Moderate GDP growth of 3%.FX reserves have declined with increased political uncertainty, but the Central Bank has the capacity for FX intervention.Thank you Hakan Aklar Tim Van Anderlecht for hosting

The Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye was proud to contribute to the Empowering Women to Lead the Future event, organised by bilateral chambers and Yapı Kredi in celebration of International Women's Day on March 11th.A special thank you to our member Esra Omuzluoglu, Cross Border Banking Activities Manager at Yapı Kredi, for her instrumental role in bringing this event to life. Her dedication and leadership were key to making this event a success.As part of the joint effort with our bilateral international chambers, we were honoured to participate in this inspiring event that emphasised the importance of women's leadership in shaping a more inclusive future. The event featured insightful panels, with thought-provoking speakers sharing their experiences and ideas to empower women in leadership roles.A highlight of the day was the participation of our member La Lorraine Türkiye Chairperson, Neslihan Nigiz Ulak, who spoke on Panel 2. She shared valuable insights and contributed to the important conversation on women's leadership. We are proud to have her as part of our network and thank her for her contribution.Together with our fellow bilateral international chambers, we remain committed to fostering an environment where women's leadership is celebrated, recognised, and supported. Thank you to everyone who made this event a resounding success! 

Handshake, Sip, Socialize, and Spark Connections! That’s the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye.Many members joined us for mingling, exchanging ideas, all while enjoying refreshing drinks.Pera Palace Hotel in Istanbul was the perfect setting to mix business with a bit of fun.Did you know that: Pera Palace Hotel has a historical connection to Belgium through the Orient Express; the hotel was originally built in 1892 to accommodate passengers of the luxurious train which ran between Paris and Istanbul; the Compagnie Internationale des Wagon-Lits, founded by Georges Nagelmackers, is the company behind the Orient Express and was Belgian-founded and headquartered in Brussels; because of the Orient Express was a major European transportation link, the Pera Palace Hotel became a key destination for many elite European travelers, including Belgians.Thank you Ambassador Hendrik Van de Velde and Consul-General Tim Van Anderlecht for your relentless support to our Chamber.Stay tuned for the next one.

We are grateful to the Belgian Luxembourg Chambers of Commerce abroad (BLCCA) for the extension of the accreditation of the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in TürkiyeThis milestone encourages our Chamber to continue to act as an economic, financial and trade bridge between Belgium, Luxembourg and Türkiye.With this accreditation, we are more equipped than ever to support businesses in expanding their networks, exploring new opportunities, and thriving in an interconnected global market.We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our members, partners, and supporters who have contributed to this achievement. Together, we continue building bridges and creating opportunities for mutual growth.Stay tuned for more updates and initiatives as we embark on this exciting new chapter! 

As a member of ETTIC, our President Hans Broucke was invited to the ETTIC member meeting to discuss the agenda for 2025 and a specific meeting with Deputy Minister Bozay on EU – Turkiye trade and investment issues.This meeting was followed by a New Year reception at the Shangri-La Bosphorus Istanbul hotel attended by its members,  the diplomatic-economic European networks and our Chamber’s Secretary General and Board members.Do you know that the BLCCT is a founding member of ETTIC?The European Turkish Trade and Investment Council (ETTIC) is a non-profit organization that promotes trade, economic cooperation, and investment between Turkey and European countries. It aims to strengthen economic ties by fostering business collaboration, facilitating trade agreements, and encouraging investment opportunities. ETTIC typically serves as a platform for networking, advocacy, and dialogue between stakeholders in the Turkish and European markets, including businesses, investors, and policymakers.

We, as the Belgium-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye, are pleased to reflect on the successful convening of the "Macroeconomic Outlook of Türkiye” event. Held on December 9th, 2024, at the prestigious Consulate-General of Belgium in Istanbul, the event brought together esteemed participants for an evening of insightful discussions on Türkiye's economic landscape.With Dr. Ahmet Çimenoğlu, Chief Economist at Koç Holding, as the keynote speaker, in cooperation with Yapi Kredi Crossborder Banking Unit, attendees were privy to expert analyses and perspectives on critical topics such as Turkiye’s economic landscape and the business expectation for 2025. The event served as a platform for constructive dialogue and networking opportunities among professionals, facilitating a deeper understanding of the factors shaping Türkiye's economic trajectory.We extend our sincere appreciation to Dr. Ahmet Çimenoğlu for his valuable contributions and commend all participants for their active engagement, which collectively contributed to the event's success. As we look forward to future endeavors, we remain committed to fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange within Türkiye's professional community.

The Board of the European-Turkish Trade and Investment Council, ETTIC, met with the Minister of Finance and Treasury of Türkiye, Mehmet Şimşek, at his office in Ankara for an introduction and update of ETTIC. ETTIC is an initiative of the bi-lateral European Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Türkiye with the aim to advocate the interests of European investors in Türkiye at the European Institutions in Brussels and the public sectors and diplomatic networks in Europe and Türkiye. After detailed introductions and an update of ETTIC’s overal activities by the Chairperson of ETTIC, Dr. Markus C. Slevogt, intense discussions were held about the Customs Union, particularly about the urgent need of its modernization and upgrade, which will result in a substantial benefit to both Türkiye and Europe.We thank Mr Simsek for hosting us. His valuable recommendations, advice and guidance will help us succeed in our upcoming visit to the European Institutions and stakeholders in Brussels. 

As President of the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye, Hans Broucke was delighted to attend the Belgium in Türkiye Network Days held in Ankara and act as guest speaker on the topic of “Türkiye’s economic outlook & consequences for Belgian business”.Belgium is the 6th European supplier to Turkiye and its 7th European customer. The Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye values the cooperation with the Belgian Embassy in Ankara, the Consulate General office in Istanbul, Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT), hub.brussels and Wallonia Export & Investment Agency (AWEX).

The Extraordinary General Assembly Meeting of the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye was held at the Belgian Consulate General in Istanbul on October 26th,2024.At the general assembly, the Board of Directors and Board of Auditors members were elected for the new term. At the first meeting of the new Board of Directors, Mr. Hans Wilfried J.Broucke, Board Member of TEB BNP Paribas, was elected as the new Chairperson of the Board. Mr. Ahmet Turgut, General Manager of Barry Callebaut Eurasia , and Mr. Gürcan İmdat, General Manager of Picanol Tekstil Makinaları, were elected as new vice-chairpersons. Mr. Asım Günalp was elected as the new Secretary-General and Ms. Nil Tunaşar Pakyürek as new treasurer of the Chamber; Mr. Şerhan Şimşek and Ms. Zeynep Bosna were elected as the new Board Members. We thank Consul General Mr. Tim Van Anderlecht for hosting us at the Consulate General, and our members for attending. We want to welcome our new Board Members and convey our congratulations and sincere wishes for the term between 2024-2026.

We were pleased to participate in the hub.brussels trade mission to TürkiyeSpecial thanks to our members H.Essers  and Barry Callebaut Group who shared their experience with the trade delegation and the Confiserie Leonidas S.A. pralines tasted exquisite!Hub Brussels organised this week an economic mission to Türkiye for 15 Brussels companies on the theme “Everything you need to know about doing business in Türkiye in times of high inflation and exchange rate volatility’.The delegates visited the new and very impressive Istanbul Financial Center and learned from the experience of several Belgian companies active in the country: Nixxis (Telephony software for call centers), Barry Callebaut Group (Belgian chocolate), H.Essers (logistics).120 business meetings were organised in collaboration with the İTO - İSTANBUL TİCARET ODASI (Istanbul Chamber of Commerce). A networking cocktail at the Consulate General of Belgium concluded this very intensive business trip.

Our Chamber participated in the annual BLCCA Academy (Belgian Luxembourg Chambers of Commerce Abroad).The BLCCA Academy is a highlight in the calendar of the network of chambers abroad. It allows different members to exchange their best practices and various experiences, but also to meet for a simple moment of exchange in all conviviality.This year the event took place in Bruges, also called the Venice of the North!Besides workshops, 3 incubators were presented. Agristo, a Belgian producer of pre-fried and frozen fries, was visited, as well as LVD, a global leader in the design and manufacturing of metal sheet working equipment.We are looking forward to the 2025 edition!

We, as the Belgium-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye, are pleased to reflect on the successful convening of the "Macroeconomic Outlook of Türkiye: Inflation Fight" event. Held on April 16th, 2024, at the prestigious Consulate-General of Belgium in Istanbul, the event brought together esteemed participants for an evening of insightful discussions on Türkiye's economic landscape.With Mr. Hakan Aklar, Chief Economist at TEB, as the keynote speaker, attendees were privy to expert analyses and perspectives on critical topics such as the Central Bank of Türkiye's inflation management strategies, Türkiye's inflationary challenges, and the economic outlook post-first quarter. The event served as a platform for constructive dialogue and networking opportunities among professionals, facilitating a deeper understanding of the factors shaping Türkiye's economic trajectory.We extend our sincere appreciation to Mr. Hakan Aklar for his valuable contributions and commend all participants for their active engagement, which collectively contributed to the event's success. As we look forward to future endeavors, we remain committed to fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange within Türkiye's professional community.

On March 26, the Belgian Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce had the esteemed opportunity to visit Yeni Elektrik, a significant investment by Unit in the Kocaeli region. Yeni Elektrik, located in İMES Industrial Zone, is a Combined Cycle Power Plant with a capacity of 865 MW. During our visit, we were thoroughly impressed by the state-of-the-art technological infrastructure at Yeni Elektrik, contributing significantly to Unit's expansive generation portfolio spanning Turkey, Central, and Eastern Europe, with a total capacity of 2,900 MW.We extend our sincere gratitude to our esteemed board member, Mr. Alp Tanrıover, for his invaluable guidance and expertise provided during the visit. Additionally, we express our appreciation to the Plant manager for their gracious hospitality, which greatly enriched our experience. We would also like to thank all our members for their valuable time and contributions.

☀️The Belgian Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye welcomed summer with a special celebration where Turkish, Belgian, and Luxembourgish communities came together on June 14, 2023.Participants enjoyed a pleasant evening with delicious food, refreshing drinks, and a live Trio beside the Bosphorus at Hotel Les Ottomans. During the event, plaques were presented to Consul General of Belgium, H.E. Mr. Tim Van Anderlecht, our members who completed their 25th year as chamber members, and our event sponsors.We would like to thank Consul General of Belgium, H.E. Mr. Tim Van Anderlecht for joining us. We also want to thank sponsors of the event La Lorraine Bakery Group Turkiye & CIS, Unit International, Anadolu Efes, Kavaklıdere Wines and all the participants for their valuable time and contributions.

On June 9, 2023, we visited the Manisa Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Manisa Organized Industrial Zone with our President, Mr. Tuğrul Şeremet, our Vice President, Ms. Neslihan Nigiz Ulak, our Board Members, Mr. Ahmet Turgut, and Mr. Hans Broucke. While Brussels Capital Region Commercial and Economic Attaché in Türkiye, Mr. Stefano Missir di Lusignano and Trade & Economic Attaché at the Embassy of Luxembourg in Türkiye, Mr. Nicolas-Koray Namer accompanied us during this visit, we had the chance to meet with the Manisa Chamber of Commerce and Industry and learn more about the region's needs.We would like to thank the entire Manisa OIZ family, especially the Chairperson of the Board of Manisa OIZ, Mr. Sait Cemal Türek, and the Chairperson of the Board of Manisa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Mehmet Yılmaz for hosting us.

We organized La Lorraine Bakery Group Plant and Manisa Industrial Zone visit on June 9th, Friday in Manisa. Following a breakfast, where we had the chance to taste the delicious products of La Lorraine, we had the LLBG Company presentation and plant tour. After the end of the tour, we went to Manisa Organized Industrial Zone Park to meet with the presidents of Manisa Chamber of Commerce and Industry & Manisa Organized Industrial Zone. After the meetings, we had a lunch with the participants at the Manisa 45 Business Hotel Restaurant.We would like to thank General Manager at La Lorraine Bakery Group Turkiye & CIS, Ms. Neslihan Nigiz Ulak, and Plant Manager Mr. Serkan Kocaarabacı for their warm reception and hospitality. We would also like to thank Brussels Capital Region Commercial and Economic Attaché in Türkiye, Mr. Stefano Missir di Lusignano, Trade & Economic Attaché at the Embassy of Luxembourg in Türkiye, Mr. Nicolas-Koray Namer, and all our members for their valuable time and contributions.

On 26 May 2023, we visited the Eskişehir Chamber of Industry with our chairperson Mr. Tuğrul Şeremet and our board member Mr. Ahmet Turgut. During this visit, we had a chance to meet with the board of the Eskişehir Chamber of Industry and learn more about the region's needs. Explaining an intense export from Eskişehir to EU countries, especially to Belgium, Eskişehir Chamber of Industry Chairperson Mr. Celalettin Kesikbaş stated that joint projects could be carried out to develop mutual business relations.

We organized Barry Callebaut Eurasia Factory and R&D Center visit on May 25th, Thursday in Eskişehir.Following the luncheon kindly sponsored by Hilton Garden Inn Eskişehir, we went to Barry Callebaut Plant. We had a Barry Callebaut Group Company presentation, Factory and R&D Center tour, and chocolate tasting session at the event.We would like to thank General Manager at Barry Callebaut Eurasia, Mr. Ahmet Turgut, and Plant Manager Mr. Emin Yılmaz for their warm reception and hospitality. We would also like to thank the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Türkiye, H.E. Mr. Paul Huynen; Brussels Capital Region Commercial and Economic Attaché in Türkiye, Mr. Stefano Missir di Lusignano; Trade & Economic Attaché at the Embassy of Luxembourg in Türkiye, Mr. Nicolas-Koray Namer, and all our members for their valuable time and contributions.

The Ordinary General Assembly Meeting of the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye was held at the Belgian Consulate General in Istanbul. The meeting began with a minute of silence to honor the victims of the devastating February 6 earthquakes in Türkiye.At the general assembly, the Board of Directors and Board of Auditors members were elected for the new term. At the first meeting of the new Board of Directors, Mr. Tugrul Seremet, Country Manager of H.Essers Türkiye, was re-elected as the Chairperson of the Board. Ms. Neslihan Nigiz Ulak, Co-Founder of Sobrinus Consulting and Education & independent board member at La Lorraine Bakery Group Turkiye & CIS, and Mr. Dr. Serhan Simsek, Group CEO of CT Pharma and TFLL Pharma BV, were elected as new vice-chairpersons of the BLCCT. While Mr. Mert Bülbül and Mr. Egemen Döven were re-elected respectively as the Secretary-General and treasurer of the Chamber; Mr. Ahmet Turgut, Mr. Hans Broucke, Ms. Nil Tunasar and, Ms. Zeynep Bosna were elected as the new Board Members. We thank Consul General Mr. Tim Van Anderlecht for hosting us at the Consulate General, and our members for attending.We want to welcome our new Board Members and convey our congratulations and sincere wishes for the term between 2023-2025.

After the devastating earthquake disaster, we experienced on February 6, Türkiye’s Bilateral Chambers of Commerce have been working together with great synergy to provide the necessary support to disaster areas, both locally and internationally, and we continue our work with the hope to see concrete reflections of our solidarity in the medium and long term as well as in the short term.In this context, we would like to thank Earthquake Expert Mr. Yoshinori MORIWAKI, search and rescue expert and disaster volunteer coordinator Mr. Rezzak ELAZAT, Assembly Buildings, Theodora Sevgi Doktorları and all participants who made it possible for us to organize our fourth "Basic Disaster Readiness Training" yesterday.We wish for the wounds to be healed as soon as possible and for all necessary measures to be taken as quickly as possible to prevent these disasters from recurring.

On April 11, we organized a seminar titled "2023 New Tax Structuring and Tax Amnesty in Türkiye" at our office. We thank Mr. Erdem Tarlığ, managing partner at EUTAX, and Mr. Abdullah Kılınç, Tax Consultant at EUTAX, for their informative presentation.We would also like to thank all the participants for their valuable time and contributions.

On March 27, we organized an event, the Macroeconomic Outlook of Türkiye: Impacts of Earthquakes and General Elections & a networking cocktail at the Consulate General of Belgium in Istanbul.Almost two months after the devastating earthquake that shocked Türkiye and the world, we took a moment to remember the victims and express our gratitude to all people, institutions, and companies supporting the relief efforts and reconstruction of the impacted area.We thank Mr. Hakan Aklar, Chief Economist at TEB, for having framed the economic & financial consequences of the disaster and the impact of upcoming general elections on the Turkish economy.We present our special thanks to H.E. Ms. Angèle Da Cruz, Ambassador of Luxembourg to Türkiye, for honoring the event, and the Consul General of Belgium in Istanbul, H.E. Mr. Tim Van Anderlecht, for hosting the event at the Belgian Palace in Istanbul.

📌After the devastating earthquake disaster we experienced on February 6, Türkiye’s Bilateral Chambers of Commerce have been working together with great synergy to provide the necessary support to disaster areas, both locally and internationally, and we continue our work with the hope to see concrete reflections of our solidarity in the medium and long term as well as in the short term.In this context, we would like to thank search and rescue expert and disaster volunteer coordinator Mr. Rezzak Elazat, the Şişli Belediyesi, Kadıköy Belediyesi and all of the participants who made it possible for us to organize this "Basic Disaster Readiness Training" event respectively on March 7th and March 10th.We wish for the wounds to be healed as soon as possible and for all necessary measures to be taken as quickly as possible to prevent these disasters from recurring. 

As we celebrate today International Women's Day, we hope to see substantial achievements in gender equality, freedom, justice, and an end to violence against women.We support creating a gender-equal world, and we celebrate all women worldwide!

The devastating effects of the earthquakes have shaken us all. The rescue work of those affected continues under difficult weather conditions and extreme time pressure. Implementing joint actions to reduce the emergency situation in the earthquake regions is now all the more important. The Belgian Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye is already in close contact with bilateral foreign chamber representations active in Türkiye and the relevant Turkish authorities.Türkiye Earthquake Donation from Abroad Below you can find handpicked foundations and fundraising campaigns raised for the earthquake that happened in South-East Turkey on the 6th of February 2023. Please browse them for different payment options and currency preferences.AHBAPhttps://ahbap.org/disasters-turkey Bank : Türkiye İş Bankası A.Ş.Account Name : Ahbap DerneğiTL : TR12 0006 4000 0011 0211 3800 59USD : TR32 0006 4000 0021 0212 1502 62EURO : TR15 0006 4000 0021 0212 1502 77GBP : TR37 0006 4000 0021 0212 2608 49Bank Swift Code : ISBKTRISTürkiye based aid organization.The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD)https://en.afad.gov.tr/earthquake-humanitarian-aid-campaign Bank : Türk Ekonomi Bankası (TEB INC.)Branch : ÇANKAYA ANKARATL : TR90 0003 2000 0000 0077 3407 66USD : TR13 0003 2000 0000 0077 3407 94EURO : TR34 0003 2000 0000 0077 3408 04Bank Swift Code : TEBUTRISThe Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) is an institution working to prevent disasters and minimize disaster-related damages, plan and coordinate post-disaster response, and promote cooperation among various government agencies.Turkish Philanthropy Fundshttps://donate.tpfund.org/give/465112/#!/donation/checkout US based aid foundation supporting Turkish Americans and Turkey. Founded by a Boğaziçi University alumnus.Needs Map (İhtiyaç Haritasi)https://fonzip.com/ihtiyacharitasi/afet-haritasi-deprem-yardim-kampanyasi Türkiye based charity organization. The donation page is in Turkish.AKUT Foundationhttps://www.akutvakfi.org.tr/bagis-yap/ NGO for rescue operations in Turkey. The website is in Turkish, however the donation is not earthquake specific.Kind regards,The Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye

Are you active abroad, or planning to be? Do you have specific questions about starting a business abroad, contracts with partners or administrative procedures in another country?On 8 December, Belgian Chambers is organizing the Chambers Export Day, a free event for companies. You will have the opportunity to ask all your questions during 25-minute online meetings with all participating Belgian Chambers abroad, each of them covering a specific region.Belgian Chambers abroad? Exactly! The Belgian-Luxembourg Chambers of Commerce Abroad represent the interests of Belgian and Luxembourg companies abroad. They are managed by entrepreneurs, like you, who help each other and share their experience in the field. A source of richness that we make available for a whole day. How does it work?If you’d like to participate, it’s easy: log on to the Conversation Starter platform and answer the questions about your activities, the topics you want to discuss and the continents or regions you’re interested in or in which you are already active. Then you can directly book an appointment with the Chamber(s) of your choice. Don’t forget to mention if you’re a member of a Chamber. Everything takes place online, no download is required. Register now! More infoRegistration

Under the auspices of the Belgian Consulate General in Istanbul, the Belgian Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Turkey organized a reception and conference given by Prof. Dr. Ilber Ortaylı on “The Historic Relations between Belgium and Turkey: Building Strong Ties for the Future” at the Pera Palace Hotel on May 12, 2022.We would like to thank H.E. Mr. Serge Dickschen, Prof. Ilber Ortaylı, president of Belgian Chambers Mr. René Branders, sponsors of the event and all the participants for their valuable time and contributions.

Reputed historian Prof. Ilber Ortaylı and our Chairperson of the Board, Mr. Tuğrul Şeremet, visited H.E. Mr. Serge Dickschen at the Belgian Consulate General in Istanbul. They discussed the course of the joint event on the bilateral historical relations between Belgium and Turkey that will take place in May under the auspices of the Belgian Consulate General in Istanbul.During the meeting, H.E. Mr. Serge Dickschen had the opportunity to examine the original historical documents in the archives of the consulate building, Palais de Belgique, together with Prof. Ilber Ortaylı.We would like to thank H.E. Mr. Serge Dickschen and Prof. Ilber Ortaylı for their valuable time.

As part of the CEO Lunch: Factory Visit series, we organized Soudal Turkey factory visit on March 18, Friday in Istanbul, Tuzla.There was a factory tour, Fix All product demo, quick lunch, and Soudal Company presentation at the event. Following this, the chief economist of TEB will delivered a speech on the Turkish economy's future.We plan to continue this series by targeting different sectors in each visit.We would like to thank General Manager at Soudal Turkey, Mr. Engin Tanrıverdi, for their warm reception and hospitality. We would also like to thank the Belgian Consul General in Istanbul, H.E. Mr. Serge Dickschen; Trade & Economic Attaché at the Embassy of Luxembourg in Turkey, Mr. Nicolas-Koray Namer, and all the participants for their valuable time and contributions.You can click here to watch the event video.

⚖️ Our webinar titled “Legal Aspect of Remote Working” was held on Thursday, January 20, 2022. Mr. Mert Bülbül, BLCCT Secretary-General, delivered the opening speech of the webinar. Senior Associates Ms. Fazilet Karabacaklar and Ms. Ayşe Naz Duman from Egemenoglu | Law Firm were the speakers in the event. In their presentation, they sought to answer what the remote working regulation brought.The BLCCT would like to thank Ms. Fazilet Karabacaklar, Ms. Ayşe Naz Duman, and all the participants for their valuable time and contributions.

We organized Puratos Turkey factory visit on November 17, Wednesday in İzmir, Tire. The BLCCT Chairperson of the Board Mr. Tugrul Seremet together with BLCCT Board Member Mr. Hans Broucke were present in the event.There was a lunch meeting, a factory tour, and Puratos Company presentation. Following this, the Round Table Discussion on Sustainability was moderated by BLCCT Board Member, Mr. Hans Broucke.We would like to thank General Manager at Puratos Turkey & Azerbaijan, Mr. Bora Akın for their warm reception and hospitality. We would also like to thank Trade and Investment Commissioners respectively representing the Brussels Capital Region in Turkey and Brazil, Mr. Stefano Missir di Lusignano and Mr. Dieter Poleyn, and all the participants for their valuable time and contributions.You can click here to watch the event video.