The Wallonia Export & Investment Agency (AWEX) is the Walloon Region's department responsible for promoting foreign trade and welcoming overseas investors. Its three main aims are to:
- Support Walloon exports around the world
The Agency offers Walloon businesses a range of services and activities covering the entire export process.
- general and commercial information on foreign markets
- production of individual market studies on request
- organisation of commercial prospecting operations (participation in international trade fairs, organisation of economic missions, sector-based contact days, etc.)
- contacts with international organisations
- promotion of Wallonia and its export potential
- financial support and funding for exports
- training and raising awareness of international professions
For overseas investors, the Agency can on request:
- pass on economic data on Wallonia and its export potential
- provide information on the products and services of Walloon businesses
- seek Walloon businesses for the conclusion of international partnerships
- distribute lists of Walloon exporters
- Look for overseas exporters
For foreign companies, the Agency can:
- show why Wallonia is the perfect base for growth
- explain the very attractive tax situation in Wallonia
- provide appropriate assistance and solutions (e.g. set-up support, administrative procedures, visits, study meetings, customised simulations, networking, coordination for obtaining financial assistance and premiums).
- create good relations between the business and the administrations responsible for studying projects
- explain the regional set-up policy and the legal environment relating to set-ups
- help to develop business in Wallonia
- Promote Wallonia internationally
- coordinate and lead the territorial brand policy
- campaign in the international media
- produce economic materials for foreign businessmen
- organise promotional actions bringing together cultural and economic aspects
AWEX in brief:
- approximately 400 people (200 of them abroad)
- a head office in Brussels and an office in Namur for overseas investments
- 7 regional centres in Belgium (local and consultancy offices)
- 93 economic and cultural attachés on 5 continents
- 1 subsidiary: SOFINEX (management of funds for international financing)
- around 2,900 Walloon businesses supported every year
- ISO 9001 certified (2015).