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In Bruges

THE KINGDOM OF BELGIUM HAS PUT THE SWORD TO BUZZWORDS AND HYPERBOLE. WHEN IT TALKS OF DELIVERING A GREEN AND DIGITAL TRANSITION, THERE IS EVIDENCE OF MEANINGFUL INDUSTRIAL CHANGE INCLUDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A WORLD-LEADING HYDROGEN PRODUCTION PARTNERSHIP.

Belgium’s Federal Planning Bureau released a statement in September 2021 forecasting a return to pre-coronavirus levels for the economy by the year’s end. Over the course of 2022, quarterly Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth should gradually normalise, leading to a less pronounced growth of 3.0 per cent, with exports and especially private consumption as the mainstays. Consumer price infl ation, according to the Bureau, has been much higher than expected, mainly due to unexpectedly high prices for natural gas and electricity. There is optimism of infl ation cooling and energy prices easing. On an annual basis, infl ation would be 1.9 per cent in 2021 and 2.1 per cent in 2022, while the health index would increase by 1.6 per cent and 2.1 per cent respectively. The previous pivot index (109.34) was exceeded in August 2021 and the current pivot index (111.53) was to be reached in June 2022. Employment across Belgium is also expected to increase by 73,000 people over the period 2021-2022. Meanwhile, an economic outlook via the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) indicated the country’s recovery plan is focused on a green and digital transition. Production in manufacturing has already surpassed pre-crisis levels. Business sentiment has improved, too, mainly driven by a rise in demand expectations. Uncertainty, however, is said to be holding back a proportionate increase in business investment. A strong economic rebound is expected as restrictive measures are removed and the population is increasingly vaccinated. Private consumption will gain momentum and accumulated savings will remain in excess of pre-pandemic levels. Turnover in the labour market, though, is expected to rise due to the winding down of most policy measures. With improved global economic prospects, business investment will gain once uncertainties about Covid-19 are reduced. Interestingly, OECD claim policies should support resource reallocation. Policy support in this instance should be removed carefully in line with the evolution of the pandemic and the recovery. Policy support, according to OECD, should strictly be targeted to viable jobs and fi rms. Also, the planned insolvency reform should be implemented as scheduled to reduce obstacles hampering the successful restructure of viable fi rms and the smooth exit of non-viable fi rms. While there have been job losses, there are new opportunities emerging in the information and communications sector. These can be facilitated through up-skill or re-skill programs mandatory for those on temporary layoff schemes. Finally, the authorities, according to OECD, should use Next Generation EU funds swiftly and effectively to address potential growth which is otherwise projected to slow markedly.

Traffi c in Antwerp.

Sendle appoints Managing Director for Australia

SENDLE IS REPORTED TO BE AUSTRALIA’S FIRST AND ONLY 100 PER CENT CARBON NEUTRAL SHIPPING SERVICE. IN JANUARY 2022, THE COURIER, WHICH SERVICES SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESSES AND ONLINE RETAILERS, APPOINTED ITS FIRST EVER MANAGING DIRECTOR FOR AUSTRALIA, LAURA HILL.

The appointment follows another year of growth for Sendle as demand for e-commerce shipping continues to skyrocket across the globe. With a rich background in e-commerce, media and advertising, Hill will drive Sendle’s continued expansion in Australia. In 2021 alone, Sendle helped facilitate over a billion dollars in small business e-commerce and is expecting an even bigger 2022 with Hill at the helm. In this new role, Hill will oversee the company’s entire Australian operation which includes a growing national delivery network of more than 3,100 drivers and 900 drop-off locations across the country. She will also be focussed on evolving Sendle’s shipping products and services for Australian small business owners, driving business development and overseeing critical e-commerce partnerships. Hill brings to the executive team over 15 years experience in leading high performing teams for a number of Australian companies including Gumtree and Fairfax. Joining Sendle in 2021 as Vice President of Partnership Development, Hill has played an instrumental role to date in fostering commercial partnerships with eBay, Shopify, Poshmark and ShipStation. Prior to Sendle, Hill was the Director of Commercial Business for Gumtree Australia where she was responsible for driving the commercial business strategy for one of Australia’s biggest online marketplaces. She has also held leadership positions at Fairfax Media, heading up the brand and sales department for a number of popular Australian titles. “It’s an exciting time to be at Sendle as the company continues to ramp up its growth in Australia,” said Hill. “After six years working in e-commerce marketplaces, a move to logistics was the most logical step for me. Shipping truly is one of the most exciting and critical parts of any online transaction, and its importance has been brought to the forefront during Covid. “Australian small businesses are the lifeblood of the economy and at Sendle we’re constantly evolving our products and expanding our suite of courier services to level the playing field and fulfill their shipping needs. We have an incredible pipeline of product innovations and partnerships to announce over 2022 and I’m looking forward to working closely with the team to bring these to life.” James Chin Moody, Sendle CEO and cofounder, said the team couldn’t be more thrilled to have someone of Hill’s calibre leading Sendle’s growing team in Australia. “Laura brings a unique combination of deep e-commerce experience together with a huge amount of empathy for the shipping needs of small businesses,” he said. “Her knowledge and expertise is exactly what we need as we head into 2022 in the face of another year of record growth.”