News

The Belgian Foreign Trade Agency (BFTA) Advance Team has officially arrived in Los Angeles!

On 16 September 2025, the Belgian Foreign Trade Agency organised a briefing in Brussels to inform the participants of the BEM West Coast USA 🇧🇪🇺🇸 about the objectives and the activities of the mission. The briefing was kindly hosted by BNP Paribas Fortis.

We have just published our bilateral note (in English), as well as the economic study (in French and Dutch) of the United States!

In the framework of the Belgian Economic Mission to the West Coast of the USA, the Belgian Foreign Trade Agency conducted an interview with Ms Kathleen Lively, Chargée d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy to Belgium, about the West Coast economy, its main assets and the strong relationship between our two economies.

In exactly 1 month, a high-level Belgian Economic Mission, presided over by HRH Princess Astrid will head for the West Coast of the USA (San Francisco and Los Angeles). 🇧🇪🇺🇸

As part of her social task, The National Lottery also contributes to strengthening Belgium’s international image. For example, in 2025, it is exceptionally funding the Belgian Economic Mission to the West Coast of the United States, organized by the Belgian Foreign Trade Agency, in partnership with the three regional export organizations and chaired by HRH Princess Astrid.

The first wave of information is now available on the website of the BEM West Coast USA 🇺🇸 🇧🇪 and in the app.

On the occasion of the Belgian National Day 🇧🇪, the Belgian Foreign Trade Agency (BFTA)’s team was warmly welcomed at the Residence of the Consul General of Belgium in Los Angeles, Mrs. Sophie Hottat. The event brought together over 150 guests, who enjoyed Belgian culinary specialties, in presence of talented Belgian artists.

The teams from the Belgian Foreign Trade Agency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Belgium, held a productive and fruitful meeting with Mr. John Y. Choi, Regional Director of the Office of Foreign Missions at the U.S. Department of State in San Francisco.

The Belgian Foreign Trade Agency team is currently in San Francisco to prepare the upcoming Belgian Economic Mission to the West Coast of the USA!

We’re proud to announce the launch of two of our annual analytical reports:

In the Belgian Research in Europe Report 2025, Fabienne L'Hoost, our Director General, reflects on the key outcomes of the Belgian economic missions, emerging economic trends, and the global impact of one sector in particular: nuclear medicine, where Belgium continues to play a pioneering role.