Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid, representing her brother, His Majesty King Philippe, will lead the Belgian economic mission to the Republic of Senegal. During the period from Sunday, May 21 to the twenty-fifth of the same month, according to a statement issued by the Belgian Foreign Ministry, and we received a copy of it, and he indicated that after the recent princely economic missions in Europe (United Kingdom), the United States, and Asia (Japan), a large economic and academic delegation from Belgium went to the African continent to explore opportunities to strengthen and expand economic and trade relations with Senegal.
The statement indicated that Senegal is on the one hand a partner country for Belgian development cooperation, and on the other hand is actively committed to developing and diversifying its growing economic sector with B2B opportunities for companies, universities and academic and research centers.
Princess Astrid will be accompanied by a ministerial delegation including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, Foreign Trade and Federal Cultural Institutions, Hajja Lahabib, Deputy Prime Minister in the Walloon Government and Minister of Economy, Foreign Trade, City and Rural. Planning and Agriculture, Willy Boursos, and Secretary of State in charge of Urbanization and Heritage, Pascal Smit.
In addition to the official delegation, the delegation includes representatives of 155 leading Belgian companies, universities and organizations. The main sectors that will be addressed during this princely economic mission are ports and intermodal logistics, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, food and agricultural industries, sustainable building and construction, renewable energy sources, water treatment, and the environment. There will also be a strong focus on the creative industries and the arts. The mission will take place mainly in the capital, Dakar, and in the recently established business and service center Diamniadio.
The Amiri Economic Missions are jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, the Foreign Trade Agency and the three regional agencies responsible for promoting trade relations and investments.
A comprehensive approach to collaborating around common challenges for the future
Senegal and Belgium are historical partners. In 1960, for example, Belgium was the seventh country to recognize Senegal's independence and sovereignty. Since 1968, Belgium has launched international solidarity programmes. King Baudouin paid a state visit to Senegal in 1975. Today, Senegal is working resolutely to further develop and diversify its market economy, relying on small and medium enterprises and investments. Belgium can offer the know-how and both countries can reinforce each other in the transition towards a sustainable future. The role of women entrepreneurs will be highlighted during the economic mission, including during the “Business and Human Rights” section, through which Belgium promotes human rights in the economic framework.

official meetings
During the Belgian economic mission, Princess Astrid and Minister Lahbib will meet with President Macky Sall, Prime Minister Amadou Ba and Foreign Minister Ayat Tal Sall.