Secretary general of Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture Belgium-Luxembourg-Africa-Caribbean-Pacific (CBL-ACP) Thomas de Beule believes that the presence of two water technology companies from Belgium already engaging in business here is a signal of his countrymen’s interest in deepening business relations with Jamaican companies.

The president recently led a delegation of Belgian businessmen to the island and signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce to facilitate knowledge sharing about doing business in each respective market. Ambassador of Belgium to Jamaica Ellen de Geest witnessed the signing.

Following the signing of the MOU, de Beule informed Jamaica Observer that more concrete steps will be taken to strengthen business relations between both countries, including informing the membership of both organisations and exchanging contact information.

“So we are looking at organising a seminar in Brussels on doing business with Jamaica in the next two months or so in consultation with the JCC and the Embassy of Jamaica in Belgium,” he explained further.

His deputy, Jacques Nyssen, a former honorary consul for Jamaica in Belgium who heads the Caribbean section of the CBL-ACP, shared that while on his mission to Jamaica, he was responsible for guiding two companies in the water sector “that bring their know-how and expertise to Jamaica together with a financial package by the Belgian Government to help with the water issues in Jamaica”.

The companies, ASPAC Intl and Sotrad Water, were present in Jamaica prospecting and having discussions with Jamaican companies about projects that were already identified, he said.

“The two companies here are covering water with renewable energy, treatment of the water, storage and distribution, and also the non-revenue sector is covered as well as wastewater management. So it’s a range of services that we can already offer together with the financial package,” Nyssen explained.

Aside from the water sector, the CBL-ACP executives believe that there are opportunities to add value to the health care, agriculture and construction sectors. Commenting on the latter, de Beule pointed out that the Half-Way-Tree Transport Centre was constructed by a Belgian company with financing from the Belgian Government.

De Beule also pointed out that the CBL-ACP’s efforts are supported by the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative, which seeks to foster sustainable and trusted connections that work for people and the planet by tackling the most pressing global challenges — from climate change, to improving health systems, and boosting competitiveness and security of global supply chains. The first Global Gateway Forum took place in Belgium’s capital, Brussels, on October 25 and 26 last year.

“We will support smart investments in quality infrastructure, respecting the highest social and environmental standards, in line with the EU’s values and standards. The Global Gateway strategy is a template for how Europe can build more resilient connections with the world,” president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen explained then.

De Beule observed that with individuals on both side of the Atlantic ready to engage in business, the MOU was looking “promising”. He added that the signing of the protocol should allow for more trade missions between the two countries led by their respective organisations.

President of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce Phillip Ramson was also optimistic about Jamaica’s prospects for trade with Belgium, adding that the collaboration between the chambers of commerce will create open communication and the opportunity to add another trade route.

“Jamaica naturally has an interest in the European market and I think the more avenues that we can open up for our members is the better and I think that this MOU will certainly give them an opportunity to reach out and find out what industries they would have an interest for with Jamaican companies,” he told Business Observer.

Ramson, however, pointed out that it was critical to build demand for Brand Jamaica to ensure reciprocity in trade, including promoting tourism. To this end, the JCC president said the first step to doing so is arranging a virtual mission to connect businesses and communicate.

“We did that with other embassies and other countries before and I think that it’s a quick way to do an introduction. I think on a long-term basis we have to look at how do we get a Jamaican delegation to go over and do business-to-business meetings in person,” he continued.

Ramson also believes there are opportunities to trade with Belgium through air freight given twice-weekly flights to Jamaica. He lamented though that while Jamaica imports about US$20 million from the European nation, it only exports one-tenth of that amount.