Latest news with #IsabelleGrippa
Zawya
02-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Belgian delegation marks new era of economic partnership with Qatar
The Belgian Ambassador to Qatar, HE William Asselborn, recently held a reception at his residence in honour of a visiting distinguished delegation of more than 60 Belgian business representatives, marking the most significant bilateral mission in a decade. In his address on the occasion, he said, 'This high-level visit, involving both public and private stakeholders, represents a pivotal step in reinforcing the longstanding economic ties between Belgium and Qatar.' He added that the delegation, drawn from across Belgium's three regions—Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels—reflects a shared commitment to strengthening international partnerships and exploring new commercial avenues in the Gulf region. The ambassador emphasised the mission's strategic importance, noting that it comes after 10 years without a delegation of this scale. The programme included numerous meetings with Qatari business leaders, company visits, and official engagements. It showcased both countries' eagerness to deepen cooperation across various sectors, notably in construction, sustainability, energy, and innovation. Visits included Belgian-led projects and institutions, underlining the strength of the ongoing collaboration. Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Isabelle Grippa, CEO of expressed her appreciation for the generous hospitality extended by Ambassador Asselborn and the Embassy team. She highlighted the significance of this mission, not just in size but in its spirit of collaboration and shared purpose. Grippa emphasised that 'Belgium, known for its expertise in health innovation, sustainable engineering, and smart infrastructure, brings value through creativity and resilience'. The mission aimed not only to showcase Belgian capabilities but to listen, connect, and build long-term partnerships with Qatari counterparts. Acknowledgements were extended to the regional trade agencies—FIT, AWEX, and well as Embassy staff, notably Laurence A. Bloom, for their dedication in coordinating the mission over several months. Talking to Qatar Tribune exclusively, Elisabeth, head of the delegation, said the visit to Qatar and Kuwait served both economic and diplomatic objectives. She noted the shared challenges and potential for joint solutions, particularly in climate adaptation, coastal engineering, and sustainable construction. Mathilde Rutot-Pirlet, President of the Belgian Business Council Qatar, praised the timing and impact of the mission. Representing a century-old family business specialising in high-end windows, she reaffirmed her confidence in Qatar's economy and expressed optimism for future cooperation, highlighting an ongoing joint venture with a Qatari partner. This mission, built on unity, trust, and ambition, lays the groundwork for a deeper Belgian-Qatari partnership in the years to come. She paid her sincere thanks to all who made this milestone possible. Boris Vandekerckhove, representing Guardsquare—a leading cybersecurity firm specialising in mobile app protection, told Qatar Tribune that his offers advanced solutions to protect, test, and monitor mobile apps against threats such as data breaches, malware, and tampering. He said his company has been active in the Gulf since 2014, and already serves key sectors including banking, government, and aviation. Vandekerckhove highlighted challenges like long decision cycles and low awareness, but sees strong potential in the region. © Copyright Qatar Tribune. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Arab Times
27-04-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Isabelle Grippa Leads Belgium's Economic Mission to Kuwait
KUWAIT CITY, April 27: As Belgium looks to renew its economic ties with Kuwait, one person is quietly but confidently leading the way: Isabelle Grippa, CEO of With a calm energy and a clear sense of purpose, she's heading a delegation of 44 Belgian companies across a wide range of sectors, all eager to open new doors in Kuwait. Grippa's career has always been about connecting people and possibilities. After earning her degree in International Relations from ULB (Université Libre de Bruxelles) and completing her Master's at the Institute for European Studies, she moved into public service, working on initiatives that bridged business and society. From advising senior leadership in Brussels to coordinating employment programs, her focus has consistently been on creating opportunities that last. Since taking the reins at in 2018, she's helped countless startups and SMEs think beyond local borders, encouraging them to dream bigger and compete globally. That same spirit is woven into this economic mission, organized in collaboration with Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT), Wallonia Export & Investment Agency (AWEX), and the Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce (ABLCC). For Grippa, this mission isn't just about business deals. It's about making introductions that could grow into real, long-term partnerships — and showing a side of Belgium that goes far beyond the well-known chocolate and waffles. Belgian companies across sectors like healthcare, engineering, sustainability, education, and technology are here to show how innovation and creativity run deep Over two full days of forums, B2B meetings, and networking events, the delegation hopes to plant seeds for collaborations that will grow in the years to come. And at the heart of it all, Grippa's steady leadership ensures that this visit feels personal, meaningful, and forward-looking. Belgium's renewed outreach to Kuwait carries the promise of new beginnings and with Isabelle Grippa at the helm, it feels like the start of a very genuine journey
