Brewing · Oud Beersel

The Oud Beersel brewery in Flemish Brabant won a gold medal for its Oude Kriek at the recent Australian International Beer Awards. The brewery also won the silver for its Oude Geuze and a bronze for the Bersalis Kadet.

Energy · Itochu

The Japanese Itochu energy group has acquired a 33% stake worth some €48 million in the Tessenderlo gas-fired power station from the French GDF Suez. The move is part of GDF’s efforts to gain EU approval for merging with the UK’s International Power group.

Handling · Swissport

The Zurich-based Swissport group is bidding for the Brussels Airport passenger and cargo handling contract. The Swiss company is in competition with the existing handlers Aviapartner and Flightcare and with other outsiders, including the Turkish Celebi and the UK’s Menzies.

Investments · Ernst&Young

Foreign investments increased 9% last year in Belgium, with Flanders almost doubling the number of its projects to 108 against 64 in 2009, according to the recently released “E&Y Foreign Investments” annual survey. The region has especially capitalised on the Antwerp port area. The result puts Belgium in sixth position in Europe behind the UK, France, Germany and Spain. Also, the IMD sponsored “World Competitiveness Index” ranks Belgium in 23rd position, an improvement on last year’s 25th. Meanwhile, the American Chamber of Commerce in Belgium (Amcham) last week presented its annual “Priorities for a Prosperous Belgium” recommendations. Key points include lowering the corporate tax rate, adjusting the wage indexation to protect a base salary, increasing the number of older workers and increasing support for R&D and innovation.

Ports · Antwerp

The Port of Antwerp authority is bidding to acquire up to 33% of the German port of Duisburg facilities on the Rhine. The move would allow Antwerp to develop its inland traffic to Germany.