BRUSSELS, (Unib Rashid) – Michèle Surinx will take over as Director-General of Belgium’s Foreign Trade Agency (Agence pour le Commerce extérieur – ACE) on January 1, 2027, succeeding Didier Malherbe, the agency has announced.

Didier Malherbe, President of the Agency’s Board of Directors, has been serving as Acting Director-General since March 17, 2026. He welcomed the appointment of Surinx, whose candidacy was selected by the Board following a rigorous recruitment process.

Surinx brings extensive experience in promoting international trade and attracting foreign investment. She has held several positions at Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT) and currently serves as Director for South, Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. She has also worked closely with the Foreign Trade Agency’s teams for many years.

Belgium to Continue International Trade Missions

The Foreign Trade Agency will continue its activities to promote Belgian foreign trade in the coming months. Its priorities include supporting the organisation of the State Visit to Kazakhstan from October 11 to 14, 2026, and preparing for the Belgian Economic Mission to Saudi Arabia, scheduled for November 21–26, 2026.

The Saudi Arabian mission will be chaired by Her Majesty Queen Mathilde and will include visits to Riyadh and Dammam.

Looking ahead to 2027, Belgian economic missions chaired by the Queen are scheduled to take place in Morocco in April and Canada in October, providing further opportunities to strengthen Belgium’s international economic partnerships.

Focus on Trade Analysis and Market Intelligence

Alongside its trade missions, the Agency for Foreign Trade continues to provide information and analysis on international commerce. It collects, analyses and publishes foreign trade statistics, sector-specific studies and other publications to improve understanding of global markets and promote the visibility of Belgian expertise internationally.

These activities support businesses and economic stakeholders in identifying opportunities and strengthening Belgium’s position in international markets.

About Belgium’s Foreign Trade Agency

Established in 2002, the Foreign Trade Agency plays a key role in promoting Belgium’s foreign trade. It works closely with the country’s three regional trade and investment promotion organisations: Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT), hub.brussels and the Walloon Export and Foreign Investment Agency (AWEX), as well as the relevant federal authorities.

The agency will mark its 25th anniversary in December 2027.

Its Board of Directors comprises 16 members appointed by the regional governments and the federal authority, ensuring equal representation of the public and private sectors. His Majesty the King serves as the agency’s Honorary President.

Surinx’s appointment comes as Belgium continues to strengthen its international trade relations and prepare new economic missions aimed at expanding commercial cooperation and investment opportunities worldwide.