MISSION DESCRIPTION
The United States Commercial Service office in Belgium is organizing, in conjunction with the Belgian building merchant’s federation, the Building Materials Buyers Mission to New York City.
On the morning of November 24, 2008 the New York Export Assistance Center is hosting the delegation of over 60 Belgian companies, 140 delegates in total, whose objective is learn about and purchase U.S. products in the building and construction industry.
We invite you to join us for the morning breakfast reception at the Marriot Marquis and meet the Belgian companies. This is an excellent opportunity to meet and discuss your products with established Belgian merchants and distributors. The networking segment will allow ample time for making quality business connections.
Please join us...
Monday, November 24, 2008
8:30am-12:30pm
Marriott Marquis Manhattan Ballroom, 8th
FL
1535 Broadway (at 46th)
Midtown
Manhattan map
*WE'RE
SORRY, WE ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS*
Business Breakfast
8:30 - Delegates meet for the business breakfast at the Marriott Marquis.
8:35 - Mr. Marnix Van Hoe, Secretary General, FEMA : Introductions and welcome.
8:40 - Mr. Stéphane Croigny, Commercial Advisor, U.S. Embassy Brussels: Welcoming remarks.
8:45 - Mr. Luc Lippens, Trade Commissioner, Brussels
Trade Commission New York: Presentation on the basics in
bilateral trade between Belgium and the United States.
bio
9:00 - Philip LaRocque, Executive Vice President, New
York State Builders Association:
“Overview of the Building and Construction Industry in New York
and the U.S. and Green Building and Energy Efficiency
Results Through Incentives”
bio
9:30 - Dr. Pieter VanderWerf, President, Building
Works, Inc.:
"Concrete Home Building Products in North America"
bio
10:00 - "Trends in Home Design in the US".
Moderator, Nancy Trent, Trent and Co bio
Jacquelyn A. Cuccaro, Founder and CEO, Mongoose Ventures, Inc.
bio
10:20 - Lawrence J. Wolk, Partner, Holland &
Knight:
“The Housing Crisis in the U.S.”
bio
Workshop
10:40 - Workshop starts. Meet and greet and showcase of U.S. products.
12:30 Adjourn
You may also view the Belgian companies that are registered (please be advised that this is only a partial list). A list including company objectives will be provided to registrants to encourage pre-event communication). There is limited space available—please register today!
*PLEASE REGISTER BELOW*
BELGIAN CONSTRUCTION MARKET
The construction market in Belgium is the country’s main industry sector, employing a total workforce of 193,000 with an annual turnover of $30 billion. The building sector activity has recently shown enormous growth—an increase of 5 percent in 2006 from 2005. Residential and non-residential construction outperformed all other economic sectors in 2007. Turnover in building trade also increased by more than 7 percent from 2006 to 2007. The high rate of growth has been due to a favorable Belgian economic conjuncture (the Belgian economy grew by 2 percent in 2006 from 2005), coupled with low interest rates on housing loans since 2003, and a mix of government tax deduction measures. Despite the recent upsurge in growth, the construction market in Belgium is mature and general growth in this sector, with the exception of renovation, is forecasted to fall slightly in 2008 and 2009.
FEMA, the Belgian builders merchants’ federation, represents some 200 companies involved in the building supplies market in Belgium, which represents about 80% of the trading turnover in building materials. There are 663 builders’ merchants in Belgium. Their role is to provide customers (individuals or contactors) with building materials and deliver them on site. Similarly to what is done in Western Europe, the totality of building products in Belgium is sold through this channel.
Belgium’s residential market is currently the most successful construction sub-sector.
Trends in Belgian residential building include energy-efficiency, green building and compact housing. Consumers are also demanding quality and innovative building products and materials. Building renovation and do-it-yourself (DIY) stores are both experiencing periods of intensive growth. Domestic competition is strong with established Belgian producers of building materials. There are around 17 registered American companies involved in construction and building. Imported construction materials come mostly from other European countries and represent a small market share, although the market offers opportunities for cost-saving and/or innovative, quality materials. Several EU directives involving energy saving, labeling and safety regulations affect the building industry by influencing demand and create challenging market entry requirements.
Quick facts on Belgium:
- Comparatively large economy with total GDP of USD 369.57 billion
- Primary trade partners: EU, U.S. and Asia
- Imports from the U.S. in 2007 USD 17.5 billion
- Sophisticated industrial and retail consumers
- Low inflation, low unemployment, 2.7% annual real growth rate
- Per capita income $35,200
MISSION GOALS
The mission will assist representatives of Belgian companies responsible for business activity in their market with efforts to identify competitive and innovative building products and technologies. In addition, we hope to encourage and increase Belgian-U.S. co-operational efforts with construction technology and products exchange.
The summary of results expected from the mission includes finding potential U.S. suppliers; increase cooperation in the building technologies and products sector between Belgium and the U.S. and provide knowledge to Belgian companies on competitive U.S. supplies.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Jetta DeNend, Trade Specialist
New York U.S. Export Assistance Center
33 Whitehall St. 22nd floor
New York, NY 10004
U.S.A.
Tel.: 212 809 2644
Email:jetta.denend@mail.doc.gov
*WE'RE SORRY, WE ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS*