The Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Antwerp and of Haifa and the North signed a cooperation agreement with the aim of promoting and expanding business ties between the Antwerp-Waasland region in Belgium and the region of Haifa and the northern Israel. This business relationship will be enhanced by mutual trade missions, exchange of information, business partnerships, and promotion of international business opportunities in both Chambers.
An additional clause in the agreement stipulates mutual prioritization with regards to participation in various cooperation programs initiated by the EU and other international organizations.
The agreement was signed by Mr Stéphane Verbeeck, President of Voka – Chamber of Commerce and Industry Antwerp-Waasland, Mr. David Castel, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Haifa and the North, and Mr. Michael Marco, Treasurer of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Haifa and the North and the honorary consul of Belgium in Haifa.
The cooperation agreement between the Chambers of Commerce was signed during the visit of a delegation from Antwerp, the participants of which were senior businessmen and heads of financial companies of the Antwerp region. The delegation was headed by the mayor of Antwerp, Mr. Bart De Wever, who signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation with the Mayor of Haifa, Mr. Yona Yahav.
Upon signing the agreement, Mr. David Castel stated that strengthening the ties with the business community of Antwerp is the basis for leveraging the business of Haifa and northern Israel throughout Europe. He emphasized the importance of the port of Antwerp, the second largest port Europe, and said that this cooperation opens new horizons for importers and exporters and the entire foreign trade arena.
