Belgium - led by Wallonia - will be well represented at the 2023 edition of the international real estate fair, MIPIM, which opens next Tuesday in Cannes, but the public authorities will be more discreet, however, no doubt scalded by the scandals that have marred political life in recent months.
After several editions marked by the health crisis, some 6,000 international investors and 23,000 visitors from 90 countries are expected from 14 to 17 March at the world's leading property market event.
Awex to showcase about 100 real estate projects
Awex, the Walloon Export and Foreign Investment Agency, is hoping to attract some of them thanks to a 140 m2 stand judiciously located at the main entrance of the Palais des Festivals and the 100 or so real estate projects that will be presented there.
The regional agency is taking along some seven partner companies and 25 co-exhibitors, including 5 intermunicipal companies, several cities (Seraing, Nivelles, Mons, La Louvière, Ottignies Louvain-la-Neuve) and 14 private companies. Some of these co-exhibitors are from the north of the country, since Flanders Invest and Trade (FIT) will not be on the trip.
"Our presence at Mipim meets a triple objective: to bring together and support the companies; to attract investors and to provide visibility to Belgium, Wallonia and the companies," Awex official Alphi Cartuyvels explained.
'More sobriety, discretion and rigour'
"I don't have the impression that the crisis will have a strong impact on the fair, but we can still see a desire to move towards more sobriety, discretion and rigour," he added.
The number of partners is relatively stable compared to previous editions, but the representatives of the authorities will be notably less numerous.
On the Walloon side, Budget Minister Adrien Dolimont is expected to attend, as are the mayors of Mons, Nivelles, La Hulpe, La Louvière, Fleurus, Ath and Herstal.
Notable absentees include Charleroi, Liège, Namur
On the other hand, Climate Minister Philippe Henry and Budget Minister Frédéric Daerden of the Walloon-Brussels Federation will not be present, although they had been announced. Other absentees include the cities of Charleroi, Liège and Namur, which traditionally take part in Mipim.
On the other hand, Brussels Minister-President Rudi Vervoort and Secretary of State for Urban Development Pascal Smet are expected to be there to represent the Capital Region.
