Eurozone Conference – A reforming Europe and a recovering US: Challenges and Opportunities

The Eurozone Conference was organized by IBLCCI in co-operation with Union KBC AM and FIT.

The seminar covered the topic “A reforming Europe and a recovering US: Challenges and Opportunities”, followed by cocktails and dinner. The main speaker for the event was Mr. Dirk Thiels, Head of Investment Strategy, KBC Asset Management. Mr. Ashish Ranawade (CIO UKBC) and H.E. Karl Van den Bossche (Consul General of Belgium) also addressed the audience.

The seminar was an opportunity to listen to the views on the current situation in Europe and the USA, and also provide assessments on the visions and challenges for Indian business interests in Belgium and vice versa. The main debate during the seminar was whether the European Union can find its own solution to the current crisis, and if so, what that might entail.

Mr. Dirk Thiels also highlighted how the next decade will see a large proportion of the 45-65 year-olds in Europe’s population raising the problem in terms of pension funding. All European economies face a set of profound long-term challenges that, if unaddressed, will limit their future growth potential. All European economies face a set of profound long-term challenges that, if unaddressed, will limit their future growth potential.

At the same time Europe has many of the competitive advantages needed to succeed in the highly competitive global economy over the next two to three decades – high education standards, hundreds of the world’s leading corporations, a high quality of life and much more.

In conclusion the Euro will survive but the US has the best cards for growth. Trapped in low growth and financial repression the New World investor will, however, increasingly be looking for the New World attracted by strongly growing and well balanced economies and cheaper valuations.

About 50 guests including member companies attended the evening. The guests also had the opportunity to interact with fellow members and newcomers as well as sample some Belgian wines and beers.

Contact the Secretariat of the Chamber, for a copy of the presentation of Mr. Dirk Thiels.