AMBASADA REGATULUI BELGIEI
EMBASSY OF THE KINGDOM OF BELGIUM
Bd. Dacia 58 - 020061 Bucharest
tel: 0040 21 210 29 69 - e-mail: ambabuc@clicknet.ro
BUSINESS NEWSLETTER
Year IV – 10/14 # 27 October 2014
November 1989. In Asia, APEC was founded while the last two Japanese World War II holdout troops surrender. In
Central Europe, Todor Zhivkov was toppled in Bulgaria and in Czechoslovakia the Communist Party announced it would
end its exclusive political power. In Romania workers of the Timişoara Mechanic Plants challenged Ceausescu while
Romanian municipalities challenged the urban planning of the regime. In Diest, Geel and in Iași, 25 years of civil action
and partnership is remembered in November 2014 with academic sessions and exhibitions. This part of history will
receive an important place in the third volume of the publication series on 175 years of bilateral history which has
seen meanwhile a second volume recently finalized, available in Romanian with an English abstract in preparation.
Atenor Group drafted the blue print of its second phase of Hermes Business Campus, scheduling 24.000 m² ready by
Q1 2016. That will be the time when BEROBA will prepare its fourth Belgian Week, but first there is a power lunch on
06.11 and a X-Mas reception on 11.12. Preparing for November means selecting the best Christmas gift box but above
all to pencil down the date of the Belgian King’s Day, scheduled this year with beer corners and fresh market
displays on Friday 14th of November under the watch-words Cu drag din Belgia.
Philippe Beke
Ambassador of Belgium
25 years of Belgian and Romanian civil society engagement showcased in Diest and Iași
In 1988 and 1989 Adoption Villages Romania (ADR-Vlaanderen) and Operations Villages Roumaines (OVR Wallonie)
were born as a part of the European platform “Save the Romanian Villages”, that was launched in Brussels. Around 350
Belgian municipalities at that time adopted a Romanian village. In a larger context more than 30 million European citizens were
involved in this campaign. After a first hatch of humanitarian emergency aid, local groups in the early 1990’s switched to solidarity
aiming structural cooperation from 2013 onwards. These 25 years of engagement are now remembered in Belgium and Romania.
In the Belgian town of Diest (Prov Brabant) a photo exhibition intends to showcase the story of 25 years of partnership
with Apold, 22 km south of Sighișoara. Roemenië Diest Comité (www.roemeniecomitediest.be) proposes at the inauguration
day on Saturday First of November in the Lakenhalle next to the exhibition, also Romanian traditional products on
display, every day from 01.11 till 08.11. The organisers furthermore have teamed up with local shopkeepers for an
original action that will last till 07.11. The participating shops will decorate their show-window in Romanian style and
interest the window-shopper to participate in a word puzzle contest with as eye-catcher a balloon trip for two persons as price
for the winner. On Friday 31.10 the photo exhibition will be officially inaugurated in presence of the Mayor of Diest Jan Laurys
and the Mayor of Apold Ioan Toth, following an academic session which will start at 20:00, varied with music (Roma Duca) and
stage scenes (Vierde Wand). Info: roemeniecomite@diest.be.
From 16 till 19.11 the 25 years will be highlighted in Iași. The Complexul Muzeal National Moldova and the Institutul
Cultural Roman (ICR) together with ADR-Vlaanderen took the initiative to organize an exhibition and workshops dealing with
this 25 years of partnership. The exhibition on 25 Years of Romanian Belgian Collaboration brings a range pictures covering
the story of people and of organisations that were involved in this story of solidarity and friendship. The inauguration is
scheduled for Monday 17.11 at 11:00 at the Cultural Palace of Iași. On Sunday 16.11 an historical roundtable in the
National Archives will be focussed on the Belgian-Romanian relations seen from a civil society point of view, covering a
th
wide period ranging from mid 12 century till today. On 18 and 19.11 a variety of workshops and visits in the region of Iași
will deepen the historical based collaboration between Romania and Belgium. Marc Verhaert will present his brand new
book “25 jaar Roemeense revolutie” telling the story of the Romanian Revolution seen through the eyes of a Belgian while
Jean-Paul Van der Elst will focus on the migrations from the Low Lands to Transylvania during the Middle Ages. One of the
workshops will concentrate on the potential of culture in economic development, social economy, social tourism and the creation
of a cultural contact point in order to develop new ways of collaborations. Info: Patrick.nieuwenhof@hotmail.com
Untold stories evoked in the second volume on 175 years of Belgian Romanian relations
After a first volume on the 175 years of Belgian Romanian relations covering the period 1838 till 1916 was published
in January this year, a second volume, covering the period between the two wars, was edited by the Belgian Embassy in
Bucharest. Several researchers have contributed to the success of the book which was built around main anchors in politics
and diplomacy, economy and cultural life. From a political perspective, inside views in the Belgian Parliament and Belgian
press on the Trianon Treaty are revealed as was the importance of the visit of Romanian Royals Ferdinand and Queen
Maria to Brussels in 1924. In relation to World War II, research was done on Romanian, mainly Jewish, resistance in
Belgium, very often belonging to the armed brigades fighting the German occupier. In these two most fascinating decades which
cover the Interbellum, the Belgian economic presence in Romania grew stronger with in the first place high amounts of Belgian
francs invested in exploration, exploitation, refining and distribution of oil in Romania. Belgian company Petrofina achieved its first
golden moments by procuring war claims on Germany in petrol installations. Later on its business model included mining,
electricity production together with Traction & Electricity and metal works totally in 1938 a work force of 11.000 persons in
Romania. Also in cement and sugar refinery, Belgian companies played a leading role in Romanian economy with further more
Solvay, having roots in pre-1919 Transylvania and present in the Cluy neighbourhood. The cultural field was dominated by
literature with Michel de Ghelderode, Emil Verhaeren and Simenon as major exponents. Diplomatic prestige was assured for both
countries by the acquisition of twinkling residences in Brussels and Bucharest for the Ambassadors in Art Nouveau and Art Deco.
Preparations of the third volume covering the period after 1944 are on track for publication in April 2015. Meanwhile the first
(Romanian version of 430 p and English abstract) and the second volume with 578 p (currently only version in Romanian), both
containing many illustrations, can be ordered on by mailing to Charlotte.VanDenAbeele@diplobel.fed.be
Atenor group moves on to the second stage of its Bucharest Hermes Business Campus
Atenor Group (www.atenor.be), one of the leading Real Estate developers in Belgium and Luxembourg,
with headquarters in La Hulpe and listed on the NYSE Euronext, created in 2008 Atenor Group Romania. In 2010
a building permit was obtained for the construction of the Hermes Business Campus, a 78.000 m² office project
located in the active office submarket of Dimitrie Pompeiu, within 200 m from Pipera Metro station and in walking
distance from the newly open Promenada Mall, to be completed in three phases. The first phase, HBC 1, offers 18,065 m² of
modern office space and more than 300 internal car parking space. The property was finalized in Q1 2014 and has a green
certification BREEAM of Excellent. In addition to typical class A office features, Hermes Business Campus offers a solar panel
southwest façade, a 1,35m window grid and most importantly the first active radiant ceiling in a speculative development in
Romania. This active radiant ceiling technology offers lower consumption and maintenance cost than traditional HVAC systems,
but even more importantly offers higher comfort levels for its occupiers. The active radiant ceiling is a product by the Belgian
manufacturer Interalu. HBC 1 is currently 100% leased to prestigious tenants such as the Embassy of the Kingdom of the
Netherlands, DB Schenker, Idea Bank, Xerox, Regus, eValue, SNC Lavalin, Elephant.ro or Litera.
Following the success of HBC 1, Atenor Group is starting up the construction of the second phase HBC 2. HBC 2 will
offer identical technical specifications as HBC 1 with increased floor plates of 2.450 m². The total leasable office area will be of
approximately 24.000 m². HBC 2 is currently 20% pre-leased and will be delivered Q1 2016. Info: lemmes@atenor.ro
2014 X-mas gift with a touch of Belgium
The yearly joy to prepare for Christmas and New
Year includes the tradition of expressing to friends
and relatives a mark of appreciation. Gift boxes are
today a modern variant of combining personalized likings and fashionable design in a budgetary acceptable format. S.C Bruxbeer
Impex srl (office@belfoods.ro) promotes Duvel beers and Bianca chocolate truffles. Remaol (www.grupremaol.ro) provides
beverage gift packs for Hopus, Barbar, Floreffe, Blanche de Bruxelles, Bush, in separate gift boxes or in ½ meter beer packs. With
Neuhaus exited Băneasa shopping center, the Belgian mother company will promote Corné-Port Royal pralines for sale in
Carrefour Băneasa. Mega Image has Belgian chocolate brands available in most of its shops: Hamlet, Côte d’Or, Dolfin, Guylian,
Bianca, Noble, Galler next to its white label Delhaize, while Cora Sun Plaza shelters a Belgian Beer corner.
BEROBA SAVE THE DATE: Radu Florescu, CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi is guest on the power lunch of Thursday
06.11 - 12:30 in Marshall Garden hotel. Subscribe on info@beroba.com: first come, first served. The X-Mas drink
is scheduled for Thursday 11.12 at 18:30 at the Samdam premises (Gr. Alexandrescu 59, BU). For the power lunch
of Thursday 15.01.15 guest speaker is Alexandru Năstase, State Secretary in charge of foreign investment and public-private
partnership. The BEROBA MEMBERSHIP 2015 fees: Current Gold card members pay 750 Euro; New Gold card members pay
1.000 Euro but can enjoy till 15.12.14 a promotion at 900 Euro. Current Silver card member pay 150 Euro. New Silver card
members will pay 250 Euro. For info on future activities and membership issues, consult the BEROBA website www.beroba.com
……….Flash ……….
Jacques De Decker was awarded the title of Doctor Honoris Causa from the Bucharest University for encouraging humanism
in European policies, education and culture* Doctor Honoris Causa to be awarded on November 21 at the Cluj University of Art
and Design to gallery owner Frank Demaegd, for exceptional efforts in promoting contemporary painting* Romanian Film
Director Adrian Sitaru won at the Namur International Francophone Film Festival the short film Grand Award for his movie
“Art”* Marele Premiu award at the Bucharest Animash festival went to the Belgian animation film Poils (director Delphine
Hermans) and the Public Price to short film Oh My Dog (director Chloé Alliez)* Jean-Paul Denis arrived in Romania with his
family as new Carrefour financial director for Romania - Jean.paul.denis.delhi@gmail.com* Laurent Pacolet laurent.pacolet@crowneplaza.ro arrived from Dubai to take up the position of F & B Director at Crowne Plaza Bucharest*
Amaury Lamarche - amaury.lamarche@gdfsuez.com switched GDF Suez Bucharest for the marketing division at his Paris
headquarters* Belgium at a Glance, a newly published and nicely illustrated brochure on Belgium can be downloaded on
www.infoshop.belgium.be free of charge* For World War I commemorations in Belgium surf to www.be14-18.be #
www.flandersfields.be # www.wbi.be* Flights for winter 2014-2015 - www.tarom.ro: Dep. BU 7:20 (daily M to Sat) - Zav 09:10;
16:50 (M, Thu, Sun) - 18:40; Zaventem 10:20 (M, Sat) - 14:00; 19:25 (M, Thu, Sun) - 23:05 # www.blueairweb.com: Dep. BU
15:55 (Thu, Fri, Su) - Zav 17:50; 08:25 (M, Wed) - 10:20; Zav. 18:05 (Thu, Fri, Su) - BU 21:50; 11:05 (M, Wed) - 14:50; Dep.
Bacau 15:40 (Fri) - 17:30; 14:30 (Tue) - 16:20; Zav. 18:15 (Fri) - Bacau 21:55; 17:10 (Tue) - Bacau 20:50 # www.ryanair.com:
Dep. Charleroi 14:50 (all days except Su) - BU 16:35; 11:05 (Su) - 12:50; BU 10:40 (all days except Su) - 14:25; 06:55 (Su) –
10:40 # www.wizzair.com: Dep. BU 12:30 (all days except Tue) - Char. 14:35; Char. 15:05 (id.) - 18:50; Dep. Cluj 06:00 (Tue,
Sat) - Char. 07:35; Char. 08:05 (Tue, Sat) - 11:25; Dep. Timișoara 18:35 – Char. 20:00 (Su, Wed); Char. 20:30 (Su, Wed) - 23:45
.……..Agenda……….
Till 02.11 Bucharest National Museum Contemporary Art: European Comic Salon* Till 15.11 Chişinău National Art
Museum: works of Iel Ianchelevici from the La Louvière Museum, the only Belgian museum dedicated to a Romanian artist*
29.10-02.11 Romexpo Indagra - participation of Agrocon bvba, Ovobel nv and Poultec nv* 30.10 Bucharest Cinema Studio –
21:30 Deux jours, une nuit directed by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne* 04.11 Bozar Brussels 20:00 - From Doina to Blues
concert with Teodora Enache-Aisha and Stanley Jordan* 08.11 Geel De Bogaard 20:00 - touristic evening on Romania, with
focus on Banat - info paul.helsen@pandora.be* 10.11 Bucharest Atheneum Sala Mică 19:00: Concert de muzică și poezie
belgiană și românească www.fge.org.ro - silviunedelcu64@yahoo.com* 13-16.11 Romexpo Romhotel - participation of
th
Ciocolata Belgiană* 13-23.11 Bucharest 10 festival of animation theater: 13.11 and 14.11 Peasant Museum: La troupe de
théâtre du Musée de la Vie wallonne de la Province de Liège - info: www.teatrultandarica.ro* King’s Day 2014 at the
th
Belgian Residence will be held on Friday 14 of November, cherishing the watch-words “Cu drag din Belgia”. This year
special beer bars and fresh fruit corners in display* 19.11 Romexpo Gaudeamus: GADIF common stand on 201 www.gaudeamus.ro* 18.11 Brussels EU Parliament: Freedom Express, exhibition on 25 years since the fall of communism in
Central and Eastern Europe* 23.11 Erpe zaal Artichoke: ROCA Aalst Romania support menu event - info:
erik.herman@skynet.be* 27.11 Brussels Studio 4 Flagey: Symphony Orchestra of the Craiova National Opera in concert with
Ştefan Ignat bass, Alexandra Coman soprano; ensemble Brio Vocales (Chişinău) and exceptional appearance of maestro
Gheorghe Zamfir* 27.11 Bucharest watch out for the next Belgian Connection mussel dinner taking place at the Crown Plaza