Welcoming and setting the scene by Mr Jean-Francois Gribomont (Vice President Euratex) and Mr Frank Veranneman (Vice-chairman Fedustria and member of the Fedustria board of directors).

To wrap-up of our event, we are pleased to welcome Ms Alexia Bertrand, State Secretary for Budget and Consumer Protection.

The main components of the afternoon will be 3 debate rounds and panel discussions in which we will present the Belgian textile sector:  

Panel Discussion 1 – The industrial dimension of the Textile Strategy

Under the guidance of Karla Basselier, CEO Fedustria, we will take a closer look at the European textile strategy and make the link to European Industrial Policy. We will also frame 'sustainability' in a broader narrative of 'competitiveness'. Panellists are companies representing the different dimensions of the textile value chain and representatives of the European Commission (DG Grow) and the Belgian EU presidency:

• Amaryllis Verhoeven (European Commission (DG Grow) Head of Unit 'Digital Transformation of Industry')
• Julie Lietaer (European Spinning Group)
• Carl Baeckelandt (Purfi/Concordia Textiles)
• Roeland Van Roosbroeck (Policy Advisor at Cabinet Flemish Minister for Economic Affairs, Innovation, Labour, Social Economy & Agriculture Jo Brouns)

Panel Discussion 2 – The global dimension of the Textile Strategy

With moderator Dirk Vantyghem, Director General of Euratex, this panel will address the global competitiveness of our textile industry. Speakers will focus on various aspects, such as the importance of effective market surveillance (using the  project as an example), the role of standards to ensure a level playing field, the potential impact of a free trade agreement with India, and recent developments in the US textiles and apparel market:

• Hans Dewaele (BekaertDeslee)
• Johan Haelterman (Chairman of the Executive Committee at NBN & Member of the ISO Council)
• Jan Laperre (Centexbel)
• Stephen Lamar (CEO American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA))
• Christophe Kiener (European Commission (DG Trade) Head of Unit , South and South East Asia, Australia, New Zealand)

Panel Discussion 3 – The innovation dimension of the Textile Strategy

Lutz Walter (Director of the European Technology Platform for the Future of Textiles and Clothing) will take you through this panel discussion on innovation in the textile sector. The focus will be on innovative products and processes with a representative from DG RTD of the European Commission, government experts, textile companies (large and small) and a representative from Centexbel:

• Marie-Hélène Pradines (European Commission (DG Grow) Head of Unit ‘Textiles’)
• Pol Lombaert (BIG Floorcoverings)
• Wouter Verbouwe (Basaltex)
• Elsie De Clercq (VLAIO)
• Isabel De Schrijver (Centexbel)

Practical information