Historial

The first Belgian movement in Portugal began on August 19, 1914 at the Hotel Avenida Palace in Lisbon, with the creation of the Anglo-Franco-Belgian Committee of Relief to Military Wounded.

One of the important figures was Mr. Romberg Nisard, industry, Administrator of the Vale de Vouga Railway Track, of the Rasca cement factory.

The purpose of this committee was to help the soldiers of the 1914-1918 war by sending them food and clothing.

To raise funds, the committee held shows, the first on September 11, 1914, at the Theatre of the Republic in Lisbon (which now no longer exists).

On August 15, 1915, Mr. Romberg Nisard created with other Belgians the Belgian Union, bringing together Belgian residents in Portugal.

Its purpose extended to trade between Belgium and Portugal.

Faced with the refusal of the Belgian authorities to recognize that Belgian Union as a commercial and industrial mission, a committee meeting was created whose aim was the organization of receptions.

In view of the insistence of this committee, one speaks then, of the creation of the Belgian Chamber of Commerce in Lisbon.

On January 27, 1918, the General Assembly of the Belgian Union decides to create a Belgian Chamber of Commerce in Portugal.

On January 20, 1920, the Belgian Union was dissolved.

II – Dates

January 27, 1918: Creation of the Belgian Chamber of Commerce in Portugal.

July 1918: Publication of the first bulletin.

1919: The delegation from Brussels International Fair is given to a member of its board of directors.

1920: The Chamber studies a commercial Luso-Belgian treaty.

30 October 1920: The Board of Directors is presented to His Majesty the King of the Belgians, Albert I, on an official visit to the Portuguese State.

1921: Despite financial difficulties and the lack of interest by the Belgian Cologne for its Chamber of Commerce, they allow an employee with part-time working hours every day from 17h till 18h30.

1922: Financial difficulties continue; the application for a grant is refused. The Chamber launches a prestige campaign and receptions. A newsletter is edited.

1925: A delegate in Porto is appointed.

1929: With a severe economic crisis, many are to be recovered and litigation service has his hands full.

1932: Creation of a charity fund for the Belgians in need.

1935: The Chambers holds a great propaganda of the Brussels Exhibition.

1936: Mr. Emanuel MIGUEZ, Engineer of United Companies Gas and Electricity is elected president.

In 1936 – 1939:

• Belgium is the 4th exporter to Portugal with 9% and the 5th importer with 5% of the amount.
• Various lectures of Professor G. Magnel of the University of Ghent, very appreciated by many Belgian industrial missions – participation at hearings organized at the Brussels International Fair – organization of traineeships in Belgium for young Portuguese graduates, engineers and architects specialized in reinforced concrete.

1940:

• Portuguese World Exhibition, visited by numerous Belgian refugees.
• Editing of subscription lists in favor of refugees.

1943: Under the pressure of the Belgian Government in London, large study of Luso-Belgian economic relations.

1946: Signature of a new official Luso-Belgian convention.

1952: Increased number of employees at the Chamber, that is open all day.

1953: Visit of Prince Albert of Belgium on the training ship “Lieut Billie”

1958. Intense activity of the Chamber in the context of Brussels Universal Exhibition.

1958: Creation of a service entitled “Business Proposals Control Service” which was to avoid the drawbacks recognized by all the Chambers of Commerce of the same kind, that is, when a company contacts the Chamber, the last one communicates lists, information, documentation, but never knows the result of the service rendered.

1959: Trip of the Chamber to Belgian Congo for a Portuguese product sample fair at the premises of the Leopoldville Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

1960:

• Installation in Porto of a delegation
• The Chamber receives its first grant
• Organization of an official Benelux stand followed by a solely Belgian one at the International Fair of Lisbon.

1963: Creation of a “Belgian Receptions Committee” to hold a series of visits, demonstrations and receptions.

1965 – 1967: Three trips to various Belgian fairs.

Since 1960:

• Numerous missions of Belgian industrials – participation in organized hearings at Brussels International Fair.
• Organization of traineeships in Belgium for Portuguese graduates.

2018:

• Commemoration of CCLBL Centenary 
• Edition of the Book “Câmara de Comércio Luso Belga Luxemburguesa | 100 anos”
• King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium State Visit to Portugal

1918-1920	Mr. Raymond LE GHAIT
1921-1942	Count Bauduin DE LICHTERVELDE
1943-1946	Mr. André MOTTE
1947-1951	Baron J. VAN DER ELST
1952-1953	Mr. Jacques DELVAUX DE FENFFE
1954-1958	Baron RUZETTE
1958-1962	Baron BEYENS
1962-1969	Mr. Louis GOFFIN
1969-1972	Mr. René PANIS
1972-1978	Mr. Max WERY
1978-1981	Mr. Karel COECKX
1981-1983	Mr. Jean-François DE LIEDEKERKE
1983-1987	Mr. Marcel HOULLEZ
1987-1991	Mr. Robert VAN OVERBERGHE
1991-1994	Mr. Philippe BERG
1994-1997	Mr. Jean COENE
1997-2000	Mr. Claude MISSON
2000-2003	Mr. Michel CZETWERTYNSKI
2003-2007	Mr. Paul PONJAERT
2007-2010	Mr. Rudolf HUYGELEN
2010-2012	Mr. Jean-Michel VERANNEMAN DE WATERVLIET
2012-2015	Mr. Bernard PIERRE
2015-2018	Mr. Boudewijn DEREYMAEKER
2018-	Ms. Geneviève RENAUX

 

1988-1993	Mr. Jean WELTER
1993-1998	Mr. Paul FABER
1998-2003	Mr. Paul DUHR
2003-2004	Mrs. Sylvie LUCAS
2004-2010	Mr. Alain DE MUYSER
2010-2016	Mr. Paul SCHMIT
2016-2020	Mr. Jean-Jacques WELFRING
2020-	Mr. Conrad BRUCH