FIT reaches a record number of companies with new Flanders International Business Weeks
The first edition of the Flanders International Business Weeks - #FIBW2023 starts today - Monday 11 September 2023. Flemish companies looking for inspiration or information for their internationalization plans can seek advice from FIT's global network from 11 to 15 and from 25 to 29 September in Antwerp, Bruges, Ghent, Hasselt and Leuven. FIT's provincial advisors and subsidy specialists are also available. Already 800 companies signed up for the Flanders International Business Weeks, a record number.
Great success
There are 1,295 registrations across the 5 provinces. A very high number, explained by the fact that companies explore more than one region and participate with more than one representatives. No less than 800 Flanders-based companies registered themselves, a record number compared to the Contact Days and Export Fairs that FIT organized since 2002. Together, entrepreneurs booked no less than 2,795 appointments with a specialist from the FIT network during the Flanders International Business Weeks. Never before has FIT arranged so many individual appointments at the same time.
Trends
- The majority of registered companies have an SME profile.
- 107 out of the 800 companies are new FIT customers.
- There are 1,893 registrations for seminars on internationalization and innovation.
- With the first edition of the Flanders International Business Weeks, FIT succeeds in its goal: to position itself more strongly with unique export support and to (re)discover customers.
- The most successful seminars with a focus on non-European markets are 'Pitching for the stars: how to conquer the US market' (165 participants), 'The growing entertainment hubs in the Middle East: how do you enter this innovative market?' (55 participants), 'Opportunities and challenges for SMEs in Africa' (55 participants), 'Corporate culture in South and Southeast Asia' (49 participants) and 'Doing business in India: key aspects' (47 participants).
- The most successful seminars with a focus on Europe are 'Doing business successfully in Germany: tips and tricks' (241 participants), 'Trade with the UK since Brexit' (154 participants), ‘The economic diversity of Central- and Eastern -Europe: beyond stereotypes’ (150 participants), 'Rebuilding Ukraine: opportunities and challenges' (128 participants) and ‘How to successfully access the Southern-European markets’ (89 participants).
With the first edition of the Flanders International Business Weeks, FIT succeeds in its goal: to position itself more strongly with unique export support and to (re)discover customers.
The new formula of the Flanders International Business Weeks is a success. It was set up from the vision towards more focus and impact, more synergy and more knowledge building. FIT reaches a record number of 1.295 registrations and 800 companies. Their preferences regarding appointments and seminars reflect a great deal of international ambition and readiness to further diversify their export markets
Registrations for week 2 still open
You can still register (until 18 September) for week 25 to 29 September during which the country experts and technology attachés from the offices in Southern Europe, Northern Europe and Central and Eastern Europe will be present in the provinces. Registrations for week 1 from 11 to 15 September - with a focus on regions East Asia, Southeast Asia and Oceania, Africa & Middle East and America - are closed.
