Alexander De Croo Attends the World Economic Forum in Davos
Deputy Prime Minister Alexander De Croo is participating in the World Economic Forum (WEF) this week. Together with King Philip, he will attend a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Minister De Croo will also be discussing digitalization and international development while in Davos.
Alexander De Croo has been a Young Global Leader at the WEF for the past two years. This is a group of young people with leadership roles in the world of economics, technology, politics and international collaboration. Together with others, such as former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, Minister De Croo will be participating in the "Global Agenda Council on Europe”, the European think tank at WEF.
A bilateral discussion with Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled for Tuesday. Belgium has an excellent bilateral relationship with China. The Chinese President visited Belgium on a State Visit in 2014. Prime Minister Michel was a guest of China earlier last year. The relationship between Belgium and China is also important for economic reasons. Belgium is the sixth most important European trade partner for China, and Chinese businesses are some of the most important investors in Belgium (fifth most important).
Deputy Prime Minister De Croo will be participating in discussions about the implementation of a digital agenda for Belgium and Europe through Facebook, Nokia, Huawei, Liberty Global and others. In addition, talks are planned with companies such as MSD and Novartis about investing in Belgium.
The WEF has invited Minister De Croo to speak at a number of events and debates. He will be speaking about the importance of digitalization for international development policy at an event on Tuesday evening, an area in which Belgium plans to take a leadership role, stimulated by the Minister. On Wednesday morning in Davos, he will be a guest at the Euronews broadcast, discussing the extreme pressures faced by multicultural communities in modern society. On Thursday he will attend a meeting with Antonio Gutteres, the new Secretary General of the United Nations, together with the King and Queen of Belgium and Prime Minister Michel.
The Belgian Event is scheduled for Wednesday evening and Prime Minister Charles Michel will address an audience of representatives of international businesses.
