Export assistance from our International Network.

Are you ready to set out on an export adventure and conquer new markets? Don’t go it alone: our Area Managers in Brussels and our Economic and Commercial Attachés in other countries are available to help you at every step of your export project.

Why have an international network?

Belgium is a small market. In order to grow, its companies sometimes have to go out and conquer foreign markets. That’s why the Walloon Region, the Flemish Region and the Brussels-Capital Region have come together to facilitate the task of companies that want to go international by implementing a network of contact points on five continents.

Our Economic and Commercial Attachés (or ECAs) are the eyes and the ears of Brussels companies that want to export.

Based in Brussels, our Area Managers act as an interface between companies and the ECAs. Each specialises in a particular geographical area. They direct companies that are still unsure about where to export, challenge their business plans and ensure that they really do have the skills needed to export before putting them in contact with the ECA on location.

How can hub.brussels’ International Network help you?

We are your contact and interface for foreign markets. We provide you with the services below free of charge.

Information and advice

We are at your disposal to analyse your export project, assess the potential of the local market and advise you on tax and customs issues.
The regulatory environment and local competition, access conditions to the markets, existing distribution channels…If we can’t answer a specific request, we will make contact locally to find the information you need.

Personalised support

We support you in the field during individual prospecting trips, economic missions and at international fairs and trade shows. We’ll set up a business meeting schedule for you and, later, help you track the contacts you’ve made.

Local presence and outlets

Our network and our in-depth knowledge of the market and local customs will facilitate your access to the country’s authorities and companies.
We also provide the addresses of potential customers selected based on your business sector. We help you search for sales representatives or distributors and help you identify calls for tender. We can also help you set up a subsidiary or representative office.

Contact Days: meetings to find your market

Our Economic and Commercial Attachés come back to Brussels every year to meet you during our Contact Days. They provide an excellent opportunity to get personalised support for your export projects and concrete and targeted information about the markets that interest you.

Do you want to be kept up to date on upcoming Contact Days? Go to the Agenda page!

Financial aid for exporters

The Brussels Region provides a range of export subsidies, which can cover up to 75% of your costs!

Laura Spandre

Vice President, Mercura Industries Inc.

We decided to open a subsidiary in the United States last year. hub.brussels helped us a great deal at every step of the project. The local team put me in contact with the big names in the hotel business and provided us with an intern for three months to prospect the hotels in Manhattan. This very valuable help provides me with support on site.

Kathlijn Fruithof

Economic and Commercial Attaché for New York and the Bahamas.

We introduced Mercura to our hotel network and encouraged the company to take part in the Hotel Experience Exhibition in New York in October 2019. We have regular meetings with Mercura to monitor its progress. Thanks to our contacts, the company is on the point of receiving a major order from a leading New York hotel.

What are the benefits of working with hub.brussels’ International Network?

The ECAs are essential for several reasons. They:

Inform you about the specificities of the different markets and refine your export project with you: regulations, the competition, access conditions, permits, etc.
Provide personalised support in Brussels during Contact Days and in the field, during individual prospecting trips, economic missions, trade fairs and shows.
Facilitate access to the country’s authorities and companies thanks to their portfolio of local customers and their knowledge of local customs and of the competition in your sector.

What are the requirements to benefit from this service?

Getting started internationally requires meeting a series of specific criteria which are sometimes more restrictive than at home. While we have an open approach to the help we provide to Brussels companies, our Economic and Commercial Attachés nevertheless have the right to state their reservations if your project isn’t mature enough to launch in other markets.

Ask yourself if your offering is compatible with the reality in the field, if you have enough inventory, if your project or service is differentiated from the competition and how…Do you meet all of the criteria? If you do, you’re on your way!