LEUVEN MINDGATE

Leuven.Inc Debate 'A Transatlantic New Trade Agreement - opportunities and challenges'


Debate organized by Leuven Innovation Networking Circle supported by AmCham Belgium and Ekonomika Alumni

The debate  ‘A Transatlantic New Trade Agreement – opportunities and challenges’ confronts two brilliant people:

  • Baron Frans van Daele will represent Europe's vision; he is one of Belgium’s top ranked diplomats who has served the last two years as Chief of Staff of the European President Herman Van Rompuy.
  • Bill Drozdiak will represent the US perspective; Bill is the director of the American Council on Germany, an expert in transatlantic relations as well as a real insider to the Obama Administration.

The debate is moderated by Johan Van Overtveldt, Chief editor Trends.

The European Union and the United States of America, combined, represent more than half of the world’s GDP (>30 trillion dollar) as opposed to the BRIC countries who represent less than a fifth ($13 trillion).
However, since 2008 the growth of both continents has slowed down dramatically. Growth for Europe is almost zero accompanied by a very high unemployment rate. For the United States, the figures are slightly better, however, the economic recovery has proven to be a very slow process.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise that both the European and the US leaders have announced the creation of economic growth and the creation of jobs as their top priority.

In this context, the EU and the US are working on a new, ambitious trade agreement to be realized within the next two years to hopefully boast both economies.  The debate between Baron Frans van Daele and Mr Bill Drozdiak will address this new trade agreement, and shed light on both its opportunities but also its challenges.

We look forward to an engaging and insightful discussion with these two remarkable persons.

Programme

5:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.: Registration and welcome coffee
6:00 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.: Welcome, introduction speakers and moderator by
Dr. Martin Hinoul, Business Development Manager for the 'Knowledge Economy Region of Leuven'
Mr. Marcel Claes, Chief Executive AmCham Belgium
6:15 p.m. - 6:35 p.m.: Baron Frans van Daele sharing his point of view
6:35 p.m. - 6:55 p.m.: Mr. Bill Drozdiak sharing his point of view
6:55 p.m. - 7:40 p.m.: Debate
Moderated by Mr. Johan Van Overtveldt, Chief editor Trends
7:40 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.: Questions & Answers
8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.: Closing and networking reception

The interventions will be held in English

Practical aspects

Date: Tuesday April 23, 2013 (5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.)
Location: Leuven - Hogenheuvelcollege (HOGC) auditorium 02.28, Naamsestraat 69, 3000 Leuven
Parking: Public parking Heilig Hart, Naamsestraat 102c, 3000 Leuven 

Participation fee

  • Members Leuven.Inc: free entrance but registration is mandatory
  • Members AmCham Belgium and Ekonomika Alumni: 25 euro (excl. VAT)
  • Non members AmCham Belgium / Leuven.Inc: 60 euro (excl. VAT)
  • Students/Doctoral researchers: a limited number of free seats are available. Please send a motivation mail to admin@leuveninc.com

Registration

Registrations before Wednesday April 17th, 2013, preferably via the online registration form (use the 'Register' button) or by email to admin@leuveninc.com (including all contact and invoice details).

After registration you will receive a confirmation and route description. The registration fee is payable after receipt of invoice. Cancellation after subscription is not possible. However, replacement by a colleague is allowed.*

* As an (Associate) Company Member you can be replaced by a colleague. As an individual Member you can only be replaced by another Individual Member. When this is not possible, Leuven.Inc will charge an extra fee for the replacement by a non-member.
 

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