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DEVELOPMENT AND NETWORKING FORUM FOR CHAMBER MANAGERS IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE
ACADEMY INTERNATIONAL
TRADE FORUM 2008
La Hulpe - Brussels 27-30 JANUARY

EUROCHAMBRES presents
the 5th edition of the
“Academy International
Trade Forum”
A 3-day full-time study programme focused exclusively
on international trade and globalisation in an informal,
stimulating and European environment.
The forum is designed specifically for senior executives from
European Chambers of Commerce dealing with trade issues
and services supporting members’ internationalisation.
Courses will cover the following issues:
- trade policy formulation and internal market policies,
- export documentation and trade promotion instruments,
- investment promotion,
- organising trade mission,
- market information.
The Academy Forum creates a platform to analyse and
evaluate the latest trends and developments in international
trade, and to identify best-Chamber-practice.

Drawing from the Chamber network active across Europe,
it offers a unique opportunity for International Trade
executives and Chamber managers to exchange ideas,
develop joint projects, and network.
NEW
• This year for the first time, the participants will have the unique
opportunity to meet European Commission Trade experts
at their headquarters in Brussels.
• Course on investment
• Panorama of ITC use for international trade
“Very nice experience, useful information,
good networking opportunities and
wonderful environment!”
Nahid Noyen, Belgium
“A really good experience for my first
Academy which I hope to repeat sometime.
The value is also in networking
and new contacts. The two day/ three
day programme is also right and keeps
the programme tight and interactive”
Stephen Baker, United Kingdom
“Very well put together and excellent
networking opportunities: WTO option
extremely valuable”
Tim Bailey, United Kingdom
“The knowledge, ideas and new contacts
with the participants from the others
countries will help me and my colleagues
to improve the role of our Chambers.
It was really the best way to exchange
information with others”
Mimoza Preku, Albania
“I can only suggest this to other chamber colleagues”
Maria Stark, Hungary

GENERAL informations
THE LEARNING FORMAT
The approach is informal, open, relaxed and inspiring. The education is interactive and multiple learning
approaches are used: lectures, discussions, workshops and exercises.
Like all EUROCHAMBRES Academies, this Forum is designed to allow maximum participation through
debate, discussion and preparation in advance with course leaders. Furthermore, the courses are kept
small (i.e. 15-20 persons per session) to ensure active participation by all.
Content
The course is structured around core and optional
courses, both of which rely on participants’ own
contributions, discussions and debates.
CORE COURSES (6 hours)
Participants are required to attend the 2 core
subjects of general interest to all Chambers.
OPTIONAL COURSES (9 hours)
In addition, there are 9 optional courses on offer,
from which you can choose a mix of 3 subjects of
most interest to you. This allows you to tailor the
forum to meet your own specific needs.
Speakers
The sessions will be presented by experienced
course leaders from extremely diverse backgrounds
in trade - from business people to
representatives from institutions and Chambers.
They are qualified facilitators who both contribute
to and encourage debate and discussion during
the seminar, guide participants in group work
and focused workshops.
Course language
The Academy Forum operates in English only.

PROGRAMME & VENUE
TIMETABLE SUNDAY 27.01 MONDAY 28.01
CORE COURSE
TUESDAY 29.01
OPTIONAL COURSE
WEDNESDAY 30.01
OPTIONAL COURSE
9.00 – 12.30
Foreign Trade
Strategies
for Chambers
To choose form the
9 optional courses
on offer
To choose form the
9 optional courses
on offer
12.30 – 13.30 Lunch Lunch Lunch
14.00 – 17.30
Arrival of participants
& transfers to training
centre in La Hulpe
European Union
Trade Policy
To choose form the
9 optional courses
on offer
European Institutions
visit & experts briefings
Certification ceremony at
EUROCHAMBRES offices
19.00
Welcome Reception &
Dinner at the centre
Networking Event
Dinner
Dinner of local
specialities in Brussels
city centre
17:00
Departure to airport
For the 5th edition of the International Trade Academy
Forum, EUROCHAMBRES has identified a unique venue,
Dolce La Hulpe, http://lahulpe.dolce.com/ which
combines comfort in serene surroundings with modern
technology of a dedicated training centre. The centre is
located 15 km, southeast of Brussels city centre, in the
heart of the Sonian forest, surrounded by 72 hectares of
green. “Brussels airport” is just 15 km away and the Midi
train station, where the high speed train Thalys and
Eurostar connects Brussels to Paris, Amsterdam,
Cologne and London, is only a 25-minute drive.
DRESS CODE
We suggest “casual” attire for all our seminars/workshops.

COURSES on offer
CORE COURSES
1) Foreign Trade Strategies for Chambers
How are Chambers coping with the competitive
challenge of today’s turbulent business
environment Solution strategies may include:
SMEs outreach programmes, new mandates or
partnerships for investment promotion, etc.
This proactive course will give the participants
the opportunity to benchmark their own Chamber
foreign trade strategy with that of the other
national, regional and/or local Chambers.
2) European Union Trade Policy
This course will give the participants a general
overview on the EU approach not only to the WTO
multilateral trade negotiations but also to the
different Free Trade and/or Association Agreements
it is currently negotiating under the “Global Europe”
strategy. This course will also allow the participants
to reflect on how the Commission Trade Agenda
can affect Chambers of Commerce activities as well
as what Chambers can do to contribute to reach
improved conditions for business.
OPTIONAL COURSES
1) Trade Documents and Customs Procedures
How the Chambers can provide their members
with better trade documentation, information and
training What will be the trends in the future be
for such documents Customs issues have always
been an intrinsic part of the EU trade policy mainly
due to their link with trade facilitation.
Furthermore, these are even more important now
that the Modernised Community Customs Code
and its Implementing Provisions are being discussed
at the moment. Why is this important for Chambers
and their members
2) Chamber Arbitration
This session will give the participants an overview
of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms
available to the member enterprises and will allow
them to learn about the recent developments and
the future trends of EU legislation in this particular
field. The course will not only focus on arbitration
and mediation as methods to solve commercial
disputes but also in innovative services such as
Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) methods.
This session will describe how a Chamber of
Commerce can effectively offer ADR and ODR
services to companies and consumers.
3) Intercultural Management
Doing business internationally implies doing
business with many other cultures that do not
necessarily have, among others, the same norms,
values, visible behaviours and decision making
processes. In this sense, intercultural management
skills are a must. This course will focus on effective
communication in a multicultural environment and
practical solutions to difficulties will also be stressed.
4) External Cooperation Programmes
This course will offer the participant an insider’s view
into the various EU external cooperation programmes
such as AL-Invest, Asia-Invest, Pro-Invest, among
others. Furthermore, it will provide information about
how to access these programmes, prepare an offer
and cooperate with other partners.
5) Trade Promotion Instruments
and Internationalisation Programmes
The participants will update their knowledge and
expertise on fulfilling members’ demands on market
information as well as on organising/coordinating
activities and events to support enterprises.
Moreover, it will also allow them to provide enhanced
coaching services and strategic advice to their
member enterprises in order for them to respond
faster and meet the expectations of the market.

This session will also be an excellent opportunity
to gather best practices on internationalisation
programmes from around the Chamber network.
6) Doing Business in Emerging Markets
Now more than ever, markets from emerging
countries are growing in their importance for
industrialised countries’ companies. However,
doing business with these countries sometimes
can be very difficult as there is a need to overcome
some barriers such as low political and economical
stability, underdeveloped infrastructure, lack of
legal transparency, among others.
What do Chambers need to know in order for them
to advise their members on this aspect What will
be the best strategy to minimise risks
7) Internal Market policies
The intra-EU market is still the most important
market for EU companies doing business abroad.
In this sense, participants in this course will gain
knowledge on topics such as fiscal policy,
competition policy and energy. Furthermore,
they will think on how Chambers can take advantage
of the changing European legislation by providing
their members with an added-value service on,
for instance, advice on the changes in technical
standards, among others.
8) Investment Promotion
One of the key pillars in regional and local
development is the ability to attract Foreign Direct
Investment (FDI) as it has clear benefits in terms
of growth generation, creation of jobs, and competitiveness’
increase. At the same time, companies
may need assistance in outsourcing or relocating
their production facilities, in order to survive global
competition. This is a task that is normally
performed by the national investment promotion
agencies. Do the Chambers have any kind of role
to play in this field
What about, for instance, marketing programmes
with the objectives of promoting your region
Is there a new trend trying to put trade and
investment promotion together
9) Panorama of ITC use for international trade
This workshop tackles the following topics
a) main tools to increase global exposure on the Internet
- company directories and portals :
available solutions and how to choose them
- site catalogues (including web site design
and implementation)
- search engine indexing and trust tools
b) business opportunities and trade leads
- available tools (and their main features)
for posting and searching opportunities
- market places
c) the e-international trade platforms, paperless trade
and on line procedures (particularly Chamber procedures)
Each of these items will include, in an interactive
mode, the following aspects:
- from dream to reality : evolution of the market,
its present situation and its future
- listing of different solutions, their main features
and their business model (if any...)
- main examples, especially (but not exclusively)
from Chambers
- as a conclusion, main challenges for Chambers
and their role in this domain

APPLICATION details
Value for money, easy to apply... but apply early!
The fee for the Academy is set at € 1450 including:
- full 3-nights accommodation and all meals
- cultural and social programme
- training facilities and courses (including documentation)
- overall administration, transportation and overheads
Important Note
To maximise value, facilitate networking and foster exchanges only 45 places are available
for this Academy International Trade Forum. They will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.
Deadlines
15.12.2007: Deadline for return of application form to EUROCHAMBRES. Please book early to avoid disappointment.
Register online today!
Kindly 07.01.2008: note that Deadline payment for transfer should be of received full fee to until Academy 7 January Forum 2008 Account: the latest, to ensure the participant’s place and admission.
Trade Academy: 310-1215406-82
IBAN : BE25 3101 2154 0682
Any other BIC code questions
: BBRUBEBB
Please contact Sophie Devos or Isabelle Gueury at EUROCHAMBRES Tel: +32 2 282 08 72/74
Cancellation Policy
If, for any reason, you must subsequently withdraw from attending the Academy, EUROCHAMBRES will accept
that you send another person from your Chamber but we must ask you to confirm this in writing at least 2 weeks
before the start of the Academy.
We look forward to meeting you soon!
Any other questions
Please contact Sophie Devos or Isabelle Gueury
at EUROCHAMBRES Tel: +32 2 282 08 72/74
or visit the Academy website:
www.eurochambres.eu/academy
The Chamber House
Avenue des Arts, 19 A/D B-1000 Brussels - Belgium
Tel: (+32-2) 282.08.50 - Fax: (+32-2) 230.00.38
www.eurochambres.eu