Trade Promotion Europe Annual Conference – Map to Global Gateway for Exporting Small and Medium Enterprises

As part of the Belgian presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), the Brussels Agency for Entrepreneurship (hub.brussels), co-organised the annual Trade Promotion Europe (TPE) conference on 7 February with Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT) and the Walloon Agency for Export and Foreign Investments (AWEX). This year’s “Map to Global Gateway for Exporting Small and Medium Enterprises” conference focused on opening up to the world and how European SMEs can access initiatives stemming from it.

Several people are standing around a reception table. — © Lieven Van Assche

Global Gateway is the EU strategy to promote intelligent, sustainable, and secure connections in the digital, energy, and transport sectors, as well as to strengthen healthcare, education, and research systems worldwide. Between 2021 and 2027, the EU will invest a whopping 300 billion euros in high-quality projects, with special attention to the needs of partner countries and local communities.

At the TPE conference, the European Commission, and European companies involved in Global Gateway shared their experiences and exchanged best practices, while expressing their needs and concerns.

It was clear to all stakeholders that collaboration between the public sector and private enterprises is essential. The role of export promotion agencies, such as hub.brussels, cannot be underestimated: they communicate, raise awareness of existing opportunities, and facilitate local partnerships.

The speakers are on stage. A lady speaks into a microphone. — © Lieven Van Assche

Through its extensive network of offices in Global Gateway partner countries, hub.brussels will continue to closely monitor business opportunities for Brussels SMEs and the resulting societal developments. With this ongoing commitment, they aim to bridge businesses, societies, and economies and contribute to a world where prosperity and social justice go hand in hand.