Antwerp port rep wins Chinese award

The awards, an initiative of the Foreign Affairs Office in Shanghai, are annually presented to foreigners based in Shanghai who have made a significant contribution to the economic development of the city and its international affairs.

Mr Van der Borght said: “The Award is recognition of the efforts that we have made to strengthen collaboration between Shanghai and Antwerp, so as to promote the further development of the Chinese port city.”

Jan Van der Borght who has represented the Port of Antwerp since 2008, has been working in the city trying to raise awareness of the port and its name in China, particularly in the Shanghai region and southern China. This includes setting up the Chinese-Antwerp Circle of Friends business network, allowing people from China and Antwerp ports to keep in touch by virtual means.

He added: “It was difficult for us to begin with: we had to find the right people and work out the best way of approaching them. But now I see that our efforts are starting to bear fruit and that our reputation is opening doors that previously remained closed to us.”