Make Brussels a Fair Trade Region Launched

The Brussels Region has high ambitions in the field of sustainability. Different stakeholders are joining forces to make Brussels a Fair Trade Region. This campaign is an initiative of the fair trade platform in the Brussels-Capital Region, in collaboration with Pascal Smet, Brussels Secretary of State for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation.

The Fair Trade Platform is coordinated by the "Fair Trade Towns" campaign (Oxfam-Magasins du monde, Miel Maya, Fairtrade Belgium) and the Trade for Development Centre of Enabel. Other members include the Belgian Fair Trade Federation, Brussels International and hub.brussels as well as representatives of local authorities and other associations.

"The importance of Fair Trade cannot be overestimated. This sustainable form of trade provides decent wages and gives local people a chance to live a better life. For me, this is international solidarity. Together, and by joining forces at all levels, from local to federal, we can make Belgium a Fair Trade Country", says Meryame Kitir, Minister for Development Cooperation.

According to Pascal Smet: "We are preparing Brussels for a bright future. And thinking of the future also means thinking of sustainability and fairness. To become the first Fair Trade Region in Belgium, we have to meet six criteria, to which we are committing ourselves today. As a government, we are going to set a good example. Solidarity, fair work and a fair society start with all of us individually, but also collectively. So, together with all the people of Brussels, we are going make this happen."