Organization
As an external independent agency Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT) helps companies to grow internationally, both from Flanders and in Flanders.
Discover how our structure, budgets and network enable us to do this.
Timeline
VDBH is founded
The Foreign Trade Agency of Flanders (VDBH) is founded.
DIV is founded
The Flanders Foreign Investment Office (DIV) is founded.
VDBH becomes Export Vlaanderen
VDBH is transformed into Export Vlaanderen, headed by a managing director.
FIT is founded
Export Flanders and the Flanders Foreign Investment Office merge to form FIT
Appointment board of directors
FIT gets its own board of directors. Christ'l Joris becomes the first chairman.
Management Agreement 1.0
The first management agreement between FIT and the government of Flanders is signed.
New Managing Director
Claire Tillekaerts becomes CEO of FIT.
Foreign Investment Trophy
FIT presents the Foreign Investment Trophy for the 1st time, underscoring the importance of foreign investments in Flanders.
New chairman
Bruno Segers is appointed chairman of the board of directors.
Business Plan 2015-2019
The government of Flanders approves FIT's 2015-2019 business plan.
FIES
FIT organizes the 1st Flanders International Economic Summit together with more than 80 partners and companies.
Export Fair
FIT organizes the first edition of the Export Fair at Tour & Taxis - Brussels.
Brexit Helpdesk
FIT launches a helpdesk that Flanders-based companies can contact with all their questions about the Brexit.
Conquer the World
Together with partners, FIT launches VeroverDeWereld.be, (“Conquer the World”), a unique web platform for Flanders-based companies that want to participate in events related to international business.
FIES II
FIT organizes the second Flanders International Economic Summit. The branding for 'Flanders Accelerates!' is presented to partners and companies.
Business Plan 2020
The 2020 business plan is approved by the government of Flanders.
New chairman
Sonja Willems is appointed chairman of the board of directors.
Business Plan 2020
The 2020 business plan is approved by the government of Flanders.
Export Lion Award
FIT presents its 'Leeuw van de Export' (Export Lion) for the 20th time: an award for companies in Flanders with notable export results.
Foreign Investment Trophy
FIT highlighted the importance of foreign investments for Flanders’ economy, job creation and prosperity for the tenth year in a row with the Foreign Investment Trophy.
4th Export Fair
FIT organizes the fourth edition of the Export Fair at Brussels Expo.
New CEO
Joy Donné becomes CEO of FIT.
Flanders International Business Awards
During an impressive award show with more than 900 guests, FIT announced the winners of the very first Flanders International Business Awards.
Our structure
FIT is an external independent agency within the government of Flanders that falls under the policy domain 'Chancellery, Administration, Foreign Affairs and Justice'.
The competent minister is Jan Jambon, Minister-President of the Government of Flanders and Flanders’ Minister of Foreign Affairs, Culture, Digitization and Facility Management.
FIT is headed by a CEO, assisted by a board of directors.
More info
Our budgets
Our partners
From January 1, 2022 to the end of 2026, FIT will join forces with 20 structural partners. Through coordination and cross-fertilization of all efforts, one plus one becomes three. The partners include sector federations and clusters, but also bilateral Chambers of Commerce, business associations, incubators and so on.
In addition, we also work closely with strategic research centres, Flemish and federal government organizations and maintain strong ties with other trade promotion agencies at Belgian and European level.