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Essex & KBC Event

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Are you a business based in Belgium?

The KBC Bank & Essex County Council partnership invites you to an inspirational session on the trade and investment opportunities in the United Kingdom.

Where: KBC Arteveldetoren, Kortrijksesteenweg 1100, 9051 Gent
When: 22 October 2025 at 6 p.m.

Event description

KBC Commercial Banking and Bernard Van Hees, General Manager Western European Branches, are pleased to host an highly informative session organized by the Essex County Council, the governing body of one of the most dynamic regions in the UK for attracting Belgian trade and investments.

Come and join us to learn how to expand your business to the UK.

EVENT REGISTRATION

Please email events.commercialbanking@kbc.be by 15 October 2025 with your full name & company details. Additional information to follow upon registration.

What can you expect?

  • Guest speaker: Katoen Natie/ Indaver will share their experience of investment into the UK and its green economy.
  • Connect with the Essex County Council’s Inward Investment team to explore how your company can use Essex as a gateway to access the UK market.
  • Learn about internationalisation support for local industrial ecosystems.
  • Get involved in the UK offshore wind opportunities created by GENERATE Energy’s new supply chain portal.
  • Join experts from Freeport East to learn about the tax incentives of setting up and operating from the Freeport.
  • Learn how KBC Bank can support your financial needs in the UK through their experience, contacts, and innovative banking services.

This is your chance to connect & hear directly from UK and Belgian partners about the current opportunities, financial, and other support available to expand internationally.

FULL PROGRAMME

18:00 | Welcoming reception
18:30 | Plenary session
20:00 | Walking dinner & networking
22:30 | End of the evening

This session will be held in English.

Interesting facts to consider

The strong links between Belgium & UK

Belgium is the UK’s 8th largest trading partner, accounting for 3.4% of total UK trade, the geographical proximity and the below figures underscore the robust trade and investment ties between the countries.

  • Total Trade: £60.7 billion (up 4.8%). Q4 2024
  • Exports: £26.0 billion (up 0.5%). Q4 2024
  • Imports: £34.7 billion (up 8.3%). Q4 2024
  • Outward FDI: £12.8 billion (0.7% of UK total 2023).
  • Inward FDI: £49.8 billion (2.4% of UK total in 2023).

Why Essex?

  • Economic output of £50 billion/year.
  • Home to 94,000+ businesses and a skilled workforce of 740,000+ employees
  • Access to fresh talent from 2 Universities and 4 technical colleges
  • Strategic location highly connected via 2 Freeports, 2 international airports, freight lines, major highways and proximity to London & Cambridge
  • Sector strengths: Manufacturing, digi-tech, offshore wind and energy infrastructure,
    Lifesciences and advanced logistics and hotbed of innovation