WELCOME OFFICE NORTH AMERICA & CLEANTECH EXPORT INVESTMENT

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1 WELCOME OFFICE NORTH AMERICA & CLEANTECH EXPORT INVESTMENT

2 The Heart of Europe Wallonia-Brussels, economic and cultural crossroad in the true heart of Europe WALLONIA is the French-speaking part of BELGIUM, including Brussels, Capital of Belgium, Capital of Europe. WALLONIA is located in the immediate vicinity of Western Europe s major cities within a few hours reach of Paris, Strasbourg, London, Amsterdam, The Hague, Luxembourg, Cologne, Frankfurt, Munich and Geneva, at the heart of a 400 million consumer market. WALLONIA is directly linked to all decision taking centers in Europe and is hosting the main offices of some of the largest international institutions and the headquarters of many multinationals. WALLONIA is in the heart of the most important distribution area in Northern Europe and this exceptional geographical position has led to the development of the best logistics and communication network. With many entertainment opportunities, a well-known gastronomy, its century-old folklore, its architectural jewels, a high quality of life and the high GDP per capita in the historical center of Europe, WALLONIA offers you the best place to distribute products and services within the European market. Londres Bruxelles Paris Amsterdam Namur Francfort

3 Infrastructures 400 million consumers within 8 hours drive (70% of the European market) the 1st place for logistic investments & distribution in Europe (2009 Cushman & Wakefield s survey) the most developed and secure road network in the world (lighting, safety, tollfree) the densest railway network in Europe hosting the EURO- CAREX platform (Cargo High Speed Train in Northern Europe) 4 river ports including the third largest European inland port within the most important network of waterways (the Escaut- Meuse-Rhine axis and the canals linking these rivers) a direct link to the sea ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam 3 major international passenger and cargo airports (accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, European hub of worldwide express courier company TNT) 15 key logistics zones with state-of-the-art multimodal facilities more than 4000 acres available in Industrial and Research Parks (Land and storage space from 30 to 60 euros/m 2 ) Qualified workforce WALLONIA has developed an extended, highly performing educational network of colleges, universities and graduate schools meeting the newest market requirements and world-renowned for being innovative and research driven. A highly skilled, multilingual and available workforce and the readily available industrial and logistics estates allow very low investment and operating costs. WALLONIA s expertly designed and technology intensive manufactured products are competitive on all fronts with the world s best thanks to one of the highest productivity level in the world, about 20% higher than the European average WALLONIA offers the greatest potential to maximize your profits. Serving innovation 9 academies 9 university centers 130 higher education institutes 300 research centers 6 science parks 11,000 researchers 4 Nobel Prizes, the latest being the 2013 Physics Prize 2,500 graduates supporting the rapid growth of information and communication technology market Eurometropolitan e-campus (international high school specifically dedicated to internet based new technologies) We offer you the opportunity to join the many other foreign investors who have been convinced by the numerous assets of WALLONIA

4 WELCOME IN WALLONIA As part of the incubators project in Europe, Wallonia Foreign Trade and Investment Agency (AWEx) offers foreign companies the opportunity to test and launch or extend their business on the European market from a WELCOME OFFICE based in Tournai (WALLONIA), about halfway between Paris and Brussels, with exceptional ease of travel to all major European cities and in the heart of the Eurometropolis Lille - Kortrijk Tournai, the first European Grouping for Territorial Cooperation established in Europe, which acts as a hub for all cross-border information, activities and services. This WELCOME OFFICE, specially dedicated to North American or Cleantech companies wishing to expand in Europe, offers them brand new offices and personalized services FREE OF CHARGE (excluding telecommunication costs). Companies can concentrate, at very low cost, on the daily growth of their business and rely on the services provided by the WELCOME OFFICE for all administrative issues.

5 Personalized services (free of charge) an English, German, Dutch and French-speaking local expert assistance in understanding the language and culture practical support (visas, travel permits, accreditation, legal issues, everyday issues, ) administrative assistance Services of all types scientific and economic incubators ultra-modern telecom services (Internet access, optic fibers, ADSL/SDSL, videoconference ) hi-tech business centers equipped to welcome companies and facilitate expansion specialized sector-specific offices for the support of start-ups training and financial support to create your own distribution center in the heart of Europe Connections throughout Europe But also : disposal of information with a technological advantage to companies operating in science parks promotion of technology transfer between research and industry, with many European partners lively technological activity between companies (networking with innovative businesses at European level, creating opportunities for technological exchanges between players from industry and/or research) access to European research programs through experts directly connected to the relevant departments of the European Commission in Brussels

6 Support from Belgian Public Agencies The mission of Wallonia foreign Trade & lnvestment Agency (AWEx) is to provide promotional and export support for the benefit of both WALLONIA and the foreign business community. AWEx offers foreign companies a complete integration program into European Economic Networks, links to local, regional or federal authorities, contacts with universities and technological partners thanks to special relationships with local Economic Development Agencies and the Science Parks of Wallonia (SPoW). Teams of specialized multilingual advisors will assist you personally at each stage of your project, from the feasibility study through to the successful realization of your investment and export strategy.

7 Investment support OUR MISSION is to provide invaluable advice and guide you through the following steps of your project : initial prospection of the European market, business plan search for the ideal location for your activity out of all available sites and buildings legal assistance to incorporate your company practical assistance to obtain grants provided by regional and European authorities which can amount to as much as 30% of the total investment fiscal assistance to understand and benefit from our preferential tax systems and public incentives for foreign investors search for suitable human resources (including initiation and training programs) introductions to leading European professionals in your business sector Export support Foreign companies choosing Wallonia as European hub to spread their products inside European markets could benefit from export-oriented services such as : access to the trade offices of WALLONIA in Europe (more than 50 offices in the capitals and major European cities) general and commercial information on European and foreign markets European market studies tailored to specific areas upon request organization and planning of marketing activities (international trade shows, economic missions, sectorbased contact days ) establishing contacts with business federations and international organizations financial support and export financing training in international careers and free traineeships Competitiveness Clusters and Corporate Networks 6 competitiveness clusters (Aeronautics and Space, Agro-industry, Life Sciences, Transport and Logistics, Mechanical Engineering and Environmental Technologies) take part in the growth dynamics initiated by the Government and position Wallonia-Brussels at the heart of the knowledge communities, with the support of Universities, Research and Training centers. ICT Platform As specific sector and global development framework for all other sectors, ICT requires an integrated approach in the form of a real cross ICT platform for WALLONIA. Place of integration, convergence and online distribution, this platform is powered by the AWT (Wallonia Telecommunications Agency), and provides a digital governance and a strategic vision for ICT in WALLONIA. This platform is also a partnership of various public and private ICT actors in WALLONIA (ICT Cluster, TWIST Cluster, Cetic, professional federations,...). We offer you the opportunity to join the many other foreign investors who have been convinced by the numerous assets of WALLONIA

8 WELCOME OFFICE NORTH AMERICA & CLEANTECH You are at home in the true heart of Europe CONTACT Philippe Wanderpepen Welcome Office Manager North America & Cleantech (T) (M) Negundo InnovATION Center Rue du progrès, 13 B Tournai BELGIUM EXPORT INVESTMENT