Destinations 2027
Brazil
Chile
Uganda
In the spring of 2027, we proudly celebrate the 37th edition of our trade mission, with three separate missions taking place this year.
Our delegations will travel to Brazil, Chile and Uganda, with São Paulo, Santiago and Kampala serving as their respective bases. The missions will take place between March and April 2027.
These destinations each offer distinct opportunities in dynamic and evolving markets. Together, they provide a diverse business landscape in which your company can explore new markets, identify opportunities and build valuable connections.
Trade Mission VUB offers Belgian companies the opportunity to expand their presence in emerging economies. Yearly, a team of around 30 master's students from various disciplines will execute company-specific assignments, guided by an experienced academic team and supported by Flanders Investment & Trade, the Belgian embassies at the destinations, the Belgian Foreign Trade Agency, and our network of Solvay Alumni.
Preparation begins in the summer preceding the mission, with the actual missions taking place over three weeks in the spring.
Students are assessed based on their final report, with varying levels of academic evaluation depending on their field of study, with business engineers and business & technologists undergoing a more demanding evaluation due to the master's thesis component.
Brazil
Location
São Paulo
Period
8–26 March 2027
Promising Sectors
Agriculture & Food Processing , Renewable Energy, Aerospace , Lifesciences & Healthcare, Automotive
Brazil combines the scale of Latin America’s largest economy with abundant natural resources, a diversified economy and a strong position in global food and energy markets. The country offers Belgian companies access to a large domestic consumer base, an established industrial sector and a rapidly developing services and technology ecosystem.
Brazil is entering an important phase of economic transformation, with investments in infrastructure, renewable energy, digitalisation and industrial development opening new opportunities across the economy. The phased implementation of the EU–Mercosur Trade Agreement is expected to further strengthen trade with the EU and improve access to international markets.
Brazil offers attractive long-term opportunities across a broad range of sectors. São Paulo stands as a major financial, industrial and technological hub, while agriculture and food processing, renewable energy, aerospace, life sciences and automotive manufacturing are among the country’s most promising sectors.
Chile
Location
Santiago
Period
3–23 April 2027
Promising Sectors
Mining & Mineral Resources, Agri-food & Aquaculture, Renewable energy & Green hydrogen, Infrastructure & Logistics, ICT & Digital technology
Chile combines one of Latin America’s most developed and internationally integrated economies with abundant mineral resources, a diversified services sector and strong international trade partnerships. Its strategic position along the Pacific coast offers Belgian companies access to global markets and growing opportunities in sustainable technologies and industrial development.
Chile is entering an important phase of economic transformation, driven by investments in mining, renewable energy, green hydrogen, infrastructure and digitalisation. The EU–Chile Interim Trade Agreement, in force since February 2025, further strengthens trade relations with the EU by reducing tariffs and improving market access for European businesses.
Chile offers attractive long-term business opportunities across various sectors. Santiago is the country’s main financial and business hub. Promising sectors include mining, agri-food and aquaculture, renewable energy and green hydrogen, infrastructure and logistics, and digital technologies.
Uganda
Location
Kampala
Period
8–26 March 2027
Promising Sectors
Oil & Gas, Agriculture & Agri-processing,
Tourism, Mining & Minerals, ICT & Financial Services
Uganda’s strategic location in the heart of the East African Community (EAC) creates promising opportunities for companies seeking growth in East Africa. Its membership in COMESA, IGAD and AfCFTA provides access to a combined regional market of hundreds of millions of consumers.
Uganda is entering an important phase of economic transformation as it transitions from a fuel importer to a crude oil exporter.
Under its Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), the government is pursuing sustainable industrialisation, with a focus on value addition, innovation and economic diversification.
With one of the world’s youngest populations and an economy developing at a fast pace, Uganda is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for foreign investment.
Oil & gas, agriculture and agro-industrialisation, mining, ICT & financial services, and tourism stand out as particularly promising sectors.