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Voka

Voka – Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The ‘Vlaams Economisch Verbond’ (VEV) is a Flemish employers' organization and lobbying group. It was founded in 1908 to create a Flemish counterpart of the Federation of Belgian Enterprises. In 2004, it merged with the Flemish Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CCI’s) to create ‘Voka’. Today, there are still eight Voka - Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CCI) in Flanders (West Flanders, East Flanders, Antwerp-Waasland, Kempen, Mechelen, Halle-Vilvoorde, Leuven and Limburg). Together with the VEV, these eight CCI’s form the ‘Voka-Alliance’, the largest Flemish network of enterprises.

The main objective of the organization is to be the closest, most influential and most professional network of entrepreneurs and the representative organisation for companies in Flanders. Voka wishes to create an optimum framework for successful enterprise and thus seeks to make a fundamental contribution to its region’s welfare and wellbeing. It is an important partner of the Flemish government on business in Flanders, and also participates in the Socio-economic Council of Flanders. Giving entrepreneurs advice and defending their interests; those are the core duties of the Flemish Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

This ‘Voka-Alliance’ unites more than 17 000 businesses from all sectors within the Flemish region. The alliance is politically independent; there is no structural funding from government. It is a Non-profit organisation: small, medium and large-sized companies of all sectors everywhere in Flanders can become member on a voluntary basis. Our members represent 64% of the employment and 65% of the added value in Flanders.

Our core services

Lobbying

• Promoting the interests of enterprises and entrepreneurs
• Formulating viewpoints at local, regional, national and European leven
• Organising dialogue with public authorities and politicians
• Studies on internationalisation, mobility, local planning, company costs, efficient public administration, taxation, entrepreneurial accents in education, environmental certification for companies, regional infrastructural development (airports...)

Networking

• A network of 17,000 member companies
• Diverse activities for formal and informal contacts

Services and projects

• Legal services
• Administrative formalities
• International trade department
• Training for entrepreneurs and executives
• Company databases and corporate guides
• Environmental services
• Innovation audits

Our International services

We take care of...

• Legalisation of Certificates of Origin and other export documents
• Issuing documents for temporary export (ATA-carnets)
• Administrative support for start-ups

We organise...

• International trade missions
• Export and import-related seminars (e.g. with diplomatic delegations)
• Breakfast and dinner discussions with international guest speakers and leaders of industry
• Dedicated business and country clubs

We offer you...

• Guidance trough the Flemish offices of export and investment promotion
• Information about the local economic landscape and legislation
• Information about potential business partners in Flanders
• Translation services
• Advice on international trade and investment

Voka – West Flanders

In 2002, a merger took place of the six regional offices in West Flanders. The West Flemish Chamber of Commerce and Industry has about 4 300 members and is a network where entrepreneurs can come for advice, training, contacts and for defending their interests. The Chamber has a very strong regional presence through the six offices (Bruges, Ypres, Kortrijk, Oostende, Roeselare and Veurne). Entrepreneurs can go there for general information about legislation, regulations, contracts and rules.

Flanders Tradelink

CCI West Flanders also has a number of subsidiaries, which are each dedicated to specialised services for entrepreneurs. One of them is Flanders Tradelink, the international department of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the province West Flanders. Our aim is to coach our members, give answer to all questions on international trade, and bring them together for exchanging experiences on different themes or regions. Our member companies are all active in the international field (import, export or foreign investments). 

In practice, we organise several ‘International Business clubs’ where managers can exchange their experience with other managers from international oriented companies. It’s also a good opportunity to do some networking. Members are divided into different groups where they can focus on strategic regions or trading areas of their companies. During the different sessions, the mentors of the clubs usually invite a guest speaker who dilates upon a particular topic concerning international trade. 

An overview of the different business & country clubs:
France, New Member States, Romania/Bulgaria, Russia & CIS, Middle East, China, Import Club Asia, Maritime & Logistic Business club, Club International Contract Market, Club Ex- & Impatriates.

Contact

Voka – Chamber of Commerce and Industry - West Flanders
Flanders Tradelink (international department)
Polenplein 10
8800 Roeselare
Belgium

Tel.: +32 51 2617 84
Fax: +32 51 2233 52
E-mail: Barbara.Geschier@voka.be
WWW: www.voka.be/west-vlaanderen