BIO - the Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries

🌍Strengthening Partnerships for Sustainable Growth🌍   The Belgium state visit to Vietnam was a powerful opportunity to connect with key stakeholders, reinforce ties with the Belgian private sector, and highlight the transformative impact of sustainable investment.   At BIO, we believe in the potential of partnerships to drive change and this mission was at the heart of our engagements during the visit: 🔹 Networking with leaders: From government officials to private sector pioneers, the discussions showed a shared commitment to fostering economic growth and innovation. 🔹 Engaging with our investees: It was inspiring to meet with visionary entrepreneurs like Gricha Safarian (Puratos Grand Place Vietnam) whose work exemplifies how strategic investment can unlock local potential. 🔹 Momentum for collaboration: There’s a strong push from both the private sector and Belgian institutions to deepen partnerships with Belgian companies in emerging markets.   This visit reinforced a core truth: When businesses, investors, and policymakers align around a shared vision, we can create lasting economic and social impact. At BIO, we’re proud to be at the heart of this mission supporting enterprises that drive progress where it matters most.   Ministry of Foreign Affairs Belgium #BIOinvest #SustainableInvesting #PrivateSectorDevelopment #EconomicGrowth #PartnershipsForImpact

🤝 Une vision, un investissement audacieux et 19 ans d’impact.🍫   Lors de la visite d’État de leurs Majestés le roi et la reine des belges au Vietnam, BIO a eu l’occasion de présenter à leurs Majestés, au ministre belge des affaires étrangères Maxime Prévot et à la ministre flamande de Bruxelles Cieltje Van Achter, la réussite de Puratos Grand-Place Indochina.   Ce qui a commencé il y a 19 ans comme une idée audacieuse, produire du chocolat de haute qualité au Vietnam, est devenu réalité grâce à la détermination de Gricha Safarian et au soutien de BIO, qui a cru en sa vision là où d’autres hésitaient. Aujourd’hui, Puratos Grand-Place Indochina est le plus grand producteur de chocolat du Vietnam, prouvant qu’un investissement durable peut stimuler tant la développement économique que sociale.   À la Bakery School, une initiative de la Puratos Bakery Foundation, Leurs Majestés ont pu constater comment l’éducation crée des opportunités pour les jeunes défavorisés en leur offrant une formation solide et un emploi garanti. Le PDG de BIO, Joris Totté, et la ministre Van Achter ont remis 19 diplômes à des étudiants prêts à franchir une nouvelle étape vers un avenir stable et prometteur.   Cette visite rappelle fermement que lorsque les entreprises sont guidées par une conviction, elles peuvent générer un réel impact. Comme l’a souligné Cédric Van Belle, Président de Puratos, l’investissement de BIO a permis à Puratos d’accélérer son joint-venture, bénéficiant ainsi non seulement à l’entreprise, mais aussi aux communautés locales.   D’un rêve audacieux à une entreprise durable, c’est ce type d’investissement à impact qui définit la mission de BIO.   🤝📈 La collaboration entre BIO et Puratos Grand-Place a inclus deux prêts, une étude de faisabilité et trois projets d’assistance technique. Elle a débuté en 2006 et s’est poursuivie jusqu’en 2023, date à laquelle le dernier prêt a été intégralement remboursé avant son échéance.   🔗 En savoir plus sur nos investissements : https://lnkd.in/eKuTpYyM Ministry of Foreign Affairs Belgium Embassy of Belgium in Vietnam #BelgiqueVietnam #VisiteDÉtat #InvestissementÀImpact #EntrepriseDurable

🤝Een visie, een gedurfde investering en 19 jaar impact.🍫 Tijdens het staatsbezoek van Hunne Majesteiten de Koning en de Koningin der Belgen aan Vietnam kreeg BIO de kans om het succes van Puratos Grand-Place Indochina voor te stellen aan Hunne Majesteiten, de Belgische minister van Buitenlandse Zaken Maxime Prévot, en Vlaams minister van Brussel Cieltje Van Achter. Wat 19 jaar geleden begon als een gedurfd idee om in Vietnam chocolade van hoge kwaliteit te produceren, werd werkelijkheid dankzij de vastberadenheid van Gricha Safarian en de steun van BIO, dat bereid was in zijn visie te investeren toen niemand anders dat deed. Vandaag is Puratos Grand-Place Indochina de grootste chocoladeproducent in Vietnam, wat bewijst dat duurzame investeringen zowel economische als sociale transformatie kunnen aanwakkeren. In de Bakery School, een initiatief van de Puratos Bakery Foundation, zagen Hunne Majesteiten uit de eerste hand hoe onderwijs kansen creëert voor kansarme jongeren door hen een degelijke opleiding en gegarandeerde tewerkstelling te bieden. CEO Joris Totté van BIO reikte samen met Minister Van Achter 19 diploma's uit aan studenten die klaar zijn om hun volgende stap te zetten naar een zekere en veelbelovende toekomst. Dit bezoek is een krachtige illustratie van het feit dat een bedrijf met een doel voor ogen een echte impact kan hebben. Zoals Cédric Van Belle, Voorzitter van Puratos, benadrukte, stelde de investering van BIO Puratos in staat om haar joint venture te versnellen, wat niet alleen het bedrijf maar ook de lokale gemeenschappen die ze bedient ten goede kwam. Van een gedurfde droom tot een duurzame onderneming, dit is het soort impactgerichte investering dat onze missie bij BIO definieert. 🤝📈De samenwerking van BIO met Puratos Grand-Place bestond uit twee leningen, een haalbaarheidsstudie en drie technische assistentie projecten. De samenwerking begon in 2006 en liep tot 2023, toen de laatste lening volledig en vervroegd werd terugbetaald. 🔗 Ontdek meer over onze investeringen: https://lnkd.in/eCrxiBvX Ministry of Foreign Affairs Belgium Embassy of Belgium in Vietnam #BIOinvest #BELVNM2025 #BelgiëVietnam #StateVisit #ImpactInvestment #DuurzaamZakendoen

🤝A vision, a bold investment, and 19 years of impact🍫 During the State visit of Their Majesties the King and the Queen of the Belgians to Vietnam, BIO had the opportunity to showcase the success of Puratos Grand-Place Indochina to Their Majesties, Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prévot, and Flemish Minister for Brussels Cieltje Van Achter.   What started 19 years ago as a bold idea to produce high-quality chocolate in Vietnam, became a reality thanks to the determination of Gricha Safarian and the support of BIO, which was willing to invest in his vision when no one else did. Today, Puratos Grand-Place Indochina is the largest chocolate producer in Vietnam, proving that sustainable investment fuels both economic and social transformation.   At the Bakery School, an initiative of the Puratos Bakery Foundation, Their Majesties witnessed first-hand how education creates opportunities for underprivileged youth by providing them with solid training and guaranteed employment. BIO's CEO Joris Totté, together with Minister Cieltje Van Achter awarded 19 diplomas to students ready to take their next step toward a secure and promising future.   This visit is a powerful reminder that when business is driven by purpose it can generate real impact. As Cédric Van Belle, Chairman of Puratos, emphasized, BIO’s investment enabled Puratos to accelerate its joint venture, benefiting not only the company but also the local communities it serves.   From a daring dream to a sustainable business, this is the kind of impact-driven investment that defines our mission at BIO.   🤝📈 BIO's collaboration with Puratos Grand-Place Indochina involved two loans, one feasibility study and three technical assistance projects. It began in 2006 and continued until 2023, when the latest loan was fully repaid ahead of maturity. 🔗 Discover more about our investments: https://lnkd.in/ehMRqquB   Ministry of Foreign Affairs Belgium Embassy of Belgium in Vietnam #BIOinvest #BELVNM2025 #BelgiumVietnam #StateVisit #ImpactInvestment #SustainableBusiness

🌍🍔 BIO’s Burger Day with Haute Ecole Mosane d'Enseignement supérieur Students 🍔🌍   Yesterday, BIO had the pleasure of hosting its renowned Burger Day with international cooperation students from Haute Ecole Mosane d'Enseignement supérieur Liège! As part of their Dutch-language course, these students were eager to explore the exiting world of development cooperation and we were happy to oblige.   During the session, they gained insights into: ✅ Impact investment and E&S at BIO: by Sybile V., Investment Officer Portfolio & Jana Vandoren, E&S Officer ✅ Sustainable market transformation & partnerships: by Els Haelterman, Head of International Partnerships & Fundraising, IDH ✅ The future of Africa: by Loïc De Cannière, Managing Director, Incofin Investment Management ✅ Global initiatives of Port of Antwerp-Bruges International: shared by Maartje Driessens, Head of Business Development ✅ The role of the diaspora & sustainable investments in Africa: discussed by Mouctar Bah, President, Brussels-Africa Hub   The burger day ended on a delicious note with Brussels burgers from BIKETTE😋   At BIO - the Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries, we are always eager to inspire the next generation and make impact investing more accessible through global citizenship education - strengthening partnerships and making the world a better place.   A big thank you to our speakers and to Michiel Dupain, Language Lecturer at HELMo, for making this possible! 👏   #BIOinvest #ImpactInvesting #SustainableGrowth #FutureLeaders #InternationalCooperation

🌍Strengthening Partnerships for Sustainable Impact🌍   BIO was pleased to engage with Minister of Finance Jan Jambon, a key partner in our mission.   As Governor of The World Bank, he helps shape the policies of IFC - International Finance Corporation and MIGA, two essential institutions for our work: ✔️ We invest alongside IFC, following its international performance standards. ✔️ MIGA helps us mitigate investment risks through insurance. ✔️ As Minister of Finance, he plays a crucial role in shaping European financial regulations, some of which also impact BIO.   It is essential that these multinational institutions continue to support smaller development finance institutions like BIO - the Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries, which play a vital role in impact investing.   #BIOinvest #ImpactInvesting #SustainableDevelopment #WorldBank #IFC #MIGA #Finance #Partnership

We're #hiring a new Senior Investment Officer - Infrastructure in Brussels, Brussels Region. Apply today or share this post with your network.

We're #hiring a new Senior Investment Officer - Infrastructure in Brussels, Brussels Region. Apply today or share this post with your network.

At BIO, we are committed to accelerating the energy transition in Africa through impactful investments and dedicated technical assistance. That’s why we are proud to support RGREEN INVEST and AFRIGREEN DEBT IMPACT FUND SLP with a Technical Assistance Facility (TAF). This initiative will provide renewable energy companies in Africa the tools and expertise ensuring they meet the highest international ESG standards. Find more : https://lnkd.in/efgma2c6

🌍 Strengthening Partnerships for Sustainable Impact 🌍 At BIO, we were more than happy to welcome Marise Habib Chief of Mission of the IOM Belgium and Luxembourg. Our mission to foster private sector growth in emerging markets aligns with IOM’s commitment to sustainable development, particularly in regions where economic opportunities drive stability and resilience. This exchange allowed us to explore common interests and enhance our collaboration. We look forward to continuing this dialogue and working together toward inclusive and sustainable economic opportunities. IOM - UN Migration #BIOinvest #IOM #OIM #ImpactInvesting #PrivateSectorDevelopment #SustainableGrowth #MigrationAndDevelopment #Collaboration