Belgium in transition: Economy, work, and ambition

David Clarinval is Belgium's deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Employment, Economy and Agriculture.

Pieter Timmermans is a prominent Belgian business leader and economist. He has served as the CEO of the Federation of Belgian Enterprises (FEB) since May 2012, representing the interests of over 30,000 companies across Belgium, including a significant number of SMEs. In this role, Timmermans has been a key voice in national debates on economic competitiveness, labor market reforms, and industrial policy.  Timmermans holds a degree in Commercial Engineering with a specialization in Banking and Finance from KU Leuven (1986) and a Master of Public Administration from the Hogeschool-Universiteit Brussel. He furthered his education with executive training at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.   His career began in academia as an assistant at KU Leuven’s Faculty of Economics, followed by positions at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Finance. From 1993 to 1998, he served as an advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Budget. He joined FEB in 1998 and became its CEO in 2012, succeeding Rudi Thomaes.  Beyond his role at FEB, Timmermans is a regent of the National Bank of Belgium since May 2013 and holds positions in various economic and social institutions, including the Central Economic Council and the National Labour Council. He is also a visiting professor at KU Leuven’s Faculty of Economics and Business.   Known for his pragmatic approach, Timmermans advocates for structural reforms to enhance Belgium’s economic resilience and competitiveness in the global market.

Salma Haouach is a management engineer, graduating from Solvay in 2001. With over 20 years of experience in consulting and strategy across France, Spain, Morocco, and Brussels, Salma has carved a distinguished path in both the corporate, politics and media sectors. Salma is currently the Deputy General Director of Wallonie-Bruxelles Enseignement. She is a contributing writer for Forbes Belgium and columnist for Bel RTL.