Port of Antwerp-Bruges Organizes Roundtable to Boost Africa-Europe Partnership

A new page in the Africa-Europe partnership is opening, with the port of Antwerp-Bruges taking the lead in creating a new collaboration with the African continent.

The Director General of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges International, Kristof Waterschoot, emphasized the importance of Africa as a trading partner, stating, “Africa, with its great potential for economic and commercial growth, is an essential trading partner for the port of Antwerp-Bruges. Club Afric wants to connect the port community with the various stakeholders who do business with Africa.”

The Ambassador of Namibia to Belgium, Mekondjo Kaapanda-Girnus, welcomed the creation of the Club Afric platform, highlighting the need to redefine the content and forms of South-North cooperation in a rapidly changing global environment.

The Director General of the Lomé container terminal, Rachid Baho, made a presentation to address the concerns of Belgian investors, who were attracted to the African offers but sought a level of security for potential investments.

Adama Ilboudo, the Director General of Burkina Faso Customs, expressed his satisfaction with the meeting, stating, “The narrative of Africa’s partners has clearly changed. And that is encouraging. Africa regains respect. Two economic actors that come into contact to define the framework for their exchange is a formula that makes it possible to avoid abuse.”

Ilboudo also had several “B to B” discussions on the sidelines of the meeting, which bode well for good prospects.

Related Topics

• Africa-Europe Partnership
• Port of Antwerp-Bruges
• Club Afric
• Economic Growth
• Trade and Investment