Is the Belgian federal administrative body for development aid with overall responsibility for the implementation and strategic oversight of development policy, including AfT and trade capacity building. The DGD is integrated into the Federal Public Service (FPS) Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation.

It is also responsible for the preparation of programmes, management of statistics and budgets, and for ensuring the coherence of development policies. The structure of the DGD includes five operational directorates: the Geographical Directorate, the Thematic Directorate, the Civil Society Directorate, the Organisation Management Directorate, and the Humanitarian Aid and Transition directorate.

BTC is a public-law company with social purposes, established by the Law of 21 December 1998. Its only shareholder is the Belgian State, which is represented in the General Meeting by the Minister of Development Cooperation. The relations between the Belgian State and BTC are governed by a management contract. Under the mandate of the Directorate-General for Development (DGD), BTC works in cooperation with the partner country and is responsible for implementing projects and programs of developing countries in their fight against poverty. In addition to its activities on behalf of the Belgian State, BTC also performs tasks for third parties. These tend to be more specific assignments for any public body in Belgium (e.g. municipalities, regions, provinces and communities), abroad (e.g. DFID) or at international level (e.g. the European Commission or the World Bank). With its partners, BTC manages approximately 200 projects intending to improve public service delivery to citizens and living conditions of populations, primarily on the African continent. BTC is represented in the partner countries by “resident representatives” who are responsible for overseeing the implementation of programs and projects, and from whose ranks BTC recruits project experts and participants (D1.3, LT, 17-2-2017).

BIO is the main instrument for Belgium’s private sector support in developing and emerging countries. Established by the Law of 3 November 2001 as a public limited company whose shareholders are the Belgian state and the Belgian Corporation for International Investment (BMI-SBI), BIO’s mission is to support the development of a strong private sector in developing countries, and to contribute to the growth of local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). BIO achieves its mission by providing tailored long-term financing (equity, quasi-equity, debt, and guarantees) at market conditions to financial institutions, investment funds, enterprises and private infrastructure projects. Through its Capacity Building Fund, BIO also to funds technical assistance programmes for client companies, and to co-finances feasibility studies. BIO works as a catalyst by operating in regions that are overlooked by commercial banks because of the high-risk factors. BIO supports projects with a balance between return on investment and development impact, hence taking into account indicators that contribute to sustainable development and bring a viable socio-economic added value.

BIO operates as an additional partner to the traditional financial institutions and requires its business partners to implement environmental, social and governance standards. BIO is a member of EDFI (European Development Finance Institutions).

Carries out various programmes aimed at improving market access for SMEs and producer organizations in developing countries, as well as promoting fair and sustainable trade. It is integrated into BTC (the Belgian Development Agency).

It works around three main themes:

• Supporting SMEs and producers;

• Raising awareness about fair and sustainable trade; and

• Providing recommendations to Advise to governmental development programmes on better market access approaches through strategic marketing, sales, communication and global business management, market intelligence and trend watching in fair and sustainable trade.

The AWEX is in charge of promoting Walloon foreign trade, and it deals with foreign investors in the Region. The Board of Directors represents equally the Walloon government, employer organizations, and unions.

The primary mission of AWEX is to:

• Increase international visibility and improve the attractiveness of Wallonia;

• Strengthen the professionalism of exporting companies;

• Contribute to the annual increase of Walloon exports, outperforming European competing regions;

• Broaden the geographic and sectoral ranges of the markets; and

• Ensure an after-sales service.

Brussels Export is a partnership between the Foreign Trade Department of the Ministry of the Brussels Capital Region and BECI, Brussels Enterprises Commerce and Industry. BECI was established in 2007 and encompasses the services of the Brussels Chamber of Commerce (KHNB) and the Union of Brussels enterprises (VOB), as well as over 150 professional associations and inter-professional organizations.

Unlike FINEXPO at the federal level, Brussels Export does not provide financial facilities for the transactions themselves but supports the facilitation of an enabling environment.

The Government of the Brussels-Capital Region supports export promotion through an array of services.

Is an inter-ministerial advisory committee managed by the Administration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. While it is chaired by the Director-General of Bilateral Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the vice-chairman is provided by the Ministry of Finance. It comprises representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Development Cooperation, Finance, Economy and the Budget, and also includes representatives of the National Delcredere Office and the Regions. As mentioned previously, FINEXPO studies the dossiers submitted by companies and/or banks seeking public aid for export credit.

The main objectives are:

• To allow Belgian companies which are negotiating a contract and competing with companies from other countries to offer appealing and competitive financing, and

• To allow Belgian companies to conduct projects in developing countries, and thereby contributing to their development.

State involvement is being carried out through providing financing at competitive market conditions and granting public aid for projects implemented in developing countries.

Available instruments include: (i) interest stabilization – relates to loans financed at market conditions: (ii) interest bonifications, (ii) interest bonifications with a grant; (iii) grants; (iv) State-to-State loans; and (v) grant for technical assistance.

FINEXPO was set up by the Royal Decree enhancing the effectiveness of instruments for financial assistance for exports and the Royal Decree of 15 July 1997 laying down the composition and the terms of reference of the FINEXPO Committee. The text of these decrees is included in the FINEXPO documentation and can be found on the FINEXPO website. The decrees determine which ministries are competent to grant public support and assistance and also lay down the methods of State involvement.

Aims at promoting sustainable international business both in the interest of companies in Flanders and foreign companies through synergies and the expansion of networks and expertise achieved by the merger.

The Flemish policy supports sustainable and ethically responsible entrepreneurship. Three-quarters of Flemish exports are directed to European partners.

The development component of FIT’s activities has become more important as the agency is now involved in emerging markets and markets in developing countries.

Which supersedes the Belgian Foreign Trade Office (OBCE/BDBH), has been running since March 2003. The Agency is defined as a “service center” for regional institutions promoting foreign trade, and it serves these institutions directly.

The Agency is responsible for:

• Deciding on and organizing joint trade missions on the initiative of one or more regions or at the request of the federal authorities;

• Organizing, compiling and disseminating information, studies and documentation on foreign markets for regional services responsible for foreign trade;

• Tasks of common interest decided unanimously by the Board of Directors.

Is the Belgian public credit insurance company with a mission to promote international economic relations. Credendo performs this task as an autonomous government institution enjoying state guarantee. Credendo insures businesses and banks against risks related to international commercial transactions, mainly with respect to capital goods, industrial projects, and contracted works and services. To cover these risks, Credendo also works alongside with banks under risk-sharing schemes. The primary types of risks are political risks (upheaval, revolution, war, but also natural disasters) and commercial risks (the inability or unwillingness of the buyer to comply with its obligations). Credendo also covers foreign exchange risks and participates in export financing arrangements. In addition to traditional export credit insurance, Credendo’s offer includes financial guarantees and direct financing. To a large extent, activities focus on non-OECD countries since these markets bear a higher risk to Belgian exporters and traders (Credendo does not insure against export risks in all countries in the world).

The commitments assumed by Credendo are guaranteed by the State, while part of the political and the commercial risks assumed around the globe is reinsured internationally. For that reason, Credendo is active in credit insurance working groups within the European Union, the OECD, as well as the Berne Union (International Union of Credit and Investment Insurers). Also, Credendo forms part of the Belgian representation in the Paris Club, where it considers the export related private sector credit component of the debt portfolio. Credendo has set up an array of insurance instruments that can be used according to particular needs.