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Wallonia is one of the three administrative and governmental regions which make up the federal state of Belgium. The Walloon Region is fully self-governing
within the limits of the powers devolved to it by central government. It has its own government, currently consisting of seven Ministers, which is accountable to a legislative assembly: the Walloon Parliament - a legislature of 75
MPs directly elected for a term of five years.
The seat of Government and Parliament is the regional capital - Namur.
Area: 16,844 km²
Density (inh./km²): 197
Population (1997): 3,320,805
Labour force: 1,378,114
Gross Domestic Product (1996): 2,264 bn BEF (1990=100 *1996=132.4)
Number of universities: 9
Main towns:
Namur (capital)
Liège
Charleroi
Mons
Arlon
Wavre
Beer, chocolate, comic book heros like Tintin and the Smurfs: Wallonia has a bigger international presence than you might think. Anything else? Every fifteen
seconds, someone somewhere in the world is inoculated with a vaccine manufactured in the Walloon Region. And 80% of all billiard balls used across the globe are manufactured there. The Channel Tunnel lighting, the interior design
of the HST, the development of cyclotrons and the famous Blanc Bleu Belge beef cattle are all standard-bearers of this dynamic region. ONE PERCENT OF WORLD TRADE Although home to less than 1% of Europe's
population, Wallonia accounts for 1% of total world trade.
External trade is the lifeblood
of the Walloon economy, and one of the key responsibilities of the Region's
government.
Wallonia has exclusive powers in matters relating to the exploration
of export markets, prospecting market opportunities and individual assistance
to business; it also plays an active role in promoting farm produce and
tourism abroad.
Wallonia's export policy is directed and managed by the
Walloon Export Agency (AWEX). AWEX was set up in 1990 with two core tasks:
to assist Walloon exporters to increase the volume and quality of their
export trade; and to promote Wallonia's export potential.
Website (AWEX): http://www.wallonia-export.be
& http://awex.wallonie.be
- Conducting market research and surveys
- Locating and list local commercial agents, importers, distributors.
- Setting up contacts between firms as part of regional business promotion exercises, official trade missions and individual initiatives.
- Holding individual follow-up and de-briefing sessions with Walloon firms
- Locating and disseminate business proposals and opportunities, public and private tenders and calls for bids.
- Providing general information about Wallonia, and more specifically about its economic potential (dissemination of brochures, lists of exporters selected by different criteria, etc).
Mr Eric BLETARD - Trade Commissioner
or
Ms Jacqueline ZOU - Marketing Officer
For any inquiry, please contact:
Tel: 64379234
Fax: 64377083
E-mail: awex@public.sta.net.cn
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