Wallonia is one of only two regions invited as guests of honour (alongside California) to the "World Investment Conference" (WIC) which takes place in La Baule from the 4th to 6th of June.

"We were won over by Wallonia's good practices, its excellence and ability to attract innovative companies such as Google. The Marshall Plan also influenced our choice through its proactive approach to attracting foreign investment into Wallonia", explains Patrice Lefeu, Director of the WIC.

"Wallonia is an up-and-coming region and our presence in La Baule underlines its attractiveness as a place that welcomes new companies and investments. La Baule is an ideal forum in which to promote the talents of Wallonia", said Philippe Suinen, Chief Executive of the Agence wallonne à l'exportation et aux investissements étrangers (AWEX – Wallonia Export and Foreign Investment Agency).

When it first participated in the event in 2007, Wallonia was awarded the prize for the best Internet site in terms of attracting investment.

Three lectures will be given between debates held at the 2008 WIC. Euromed will examine investments in the Mediterranean Basin and "California Tech Showcase" will highlight 55 innovative SMBs including 40 Californian start-ups wanting to invest in Europe and 15 European start-ups. The latter group includes DeciZium, a spin-off from Mons, the only Wallonian guest invited to the forum on innovation.
The third conference will bring together a hundred American and European companies examining the theme of green energy in the framework of a transatlantic platform.

www.labaulewic.org

Ph. Law. - LA LIBRE - 22/05/2008