On 14th of May ’25, we have hosted a delegation of entrepreneurs and representatives from Voka, West Flanders’ Chamber of Commerce, and AKT-CCI WAPI, Wallonia Picardy’s Chamber of Commerce. This event aimed to bridge the linguistic divide between Dutch-speaking and French-speaking companies in Belgium, fostering stronger commercial collaboration.
stow’s headquarters, strategically located on the border of Mouscron and Espierres-Helchin, served as the perfect setting for this cross-regional initiative. The event featured a tour of the production site, showcasing one of the region’s significant contributors to industrial and economic growth.
Stijn Vanneste, COO of stow, remarked on the collaborative spirit of the gathering, saying, “At stow, we value working with local suppliers and clients, both from the Flemish and Walloon regions. These partnerships are vital to our success and reflect the complementarity that businesses in the area can achieve.”
Source: Notélé
Key figures from the two chambers of commerce echoed these sentiments. Tom Vermeersch, Regional Director of Voka, highlighted the importance of collaboration, stating, “There are so many Flemish entrepreneurs with a presence in Wallonia, and partnerships across the regions are only growing stronger. Events like today reinforce the possibilities of working together.” Sylvie Lericque, Director of AKT-CCI WAPI, added, “Our goal is to encourage more French-speaking entrepreneurs to collaborate across linguistic borders. Initiatives like these help remove hesitation and build lasting partnerships.”
The visit emphasized the shared opportunities between businesses on both sides of the language border, showcasing how collaboration can lead to mutual growth. The event also underscored the absence of rivalry between the regions, focusing instead on the benefits of local partnerships for faster service and better response times.
stow’s role as a host reinforces its position not just as a global industrial leader but also as a committed local partner. By hosting initiatives that promote cross-regional cooperation, stow strengthens its reputation as a company that racks the world with inclusivity and collaboration.
