This October, Belgium will be strongly represented on the U.S. West Coast during the Belgian Economic Mission to California (San Francisco & Los Angeles, October 4–12, 2025). The mission brings together Belgian companies, government officials, and institutions to strengthen transatlantic business ties and open new opportunities for growth and investment.
Who Makes the Mission Possible?
Belgium’s trade and investment promotion system is both federal and regional, and this mission is a true team effort:
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Belgian Foreign Trade Agency (BFTA): Coordinates the mission at the federal level, produces market studies and trade statistics, and ensures Belgium has a strong presence abroad.
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Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT): Supports Flemish companies in their international growth while attracting investment into Flanders.
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Wallonia Export-Investment Agency (AWEX): Promotes Walloon businesses globally and helps position Wallonia as a key investment destination.
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hub.brussels: Helps Brussels-based companies expand internationally and connect with foreign partners.
In addition, Belgium’s Federal Public Service (FPS) Foreign Affairs ensures the diplomatic framework, protocol, and political visibility that open doors at the highest levels.
Why It Matters
Economic missions like this bring together the strengths of diplomacy and business. They provide visibility, credibility, and direct access to U.S. partners, investors, and policymakers that companies might not reach on their own. California—home to thriving industries in technology, sustainability, logistics, and food innovation—offers fertile ground for Belgian expertise and collaboration.
IMS on the Ground
IMS will be present throughout the mission: Our Business Development Manager Leentje De Leeuw will accompany the delegation in both San Francisco and Los Angeles, while Ben Troch, Partner and Director of our Benelux Practice, will join in Los Angeles. We look forward to meeting with Belgian businesses, supporting their U.S. expansion goals, and helping turn new contacts into long-term success stories.
