Vlaams Economisch Verbond

The Vlaams Economisch Verbond (VEV) is a Flemish employers' organization and lobbying group.

The main objectives of the organization were the development of the Flemish economy and to improve the status of Flemish as a business language in Flanders. It is an important partner of the Flemish government on business in Flanders, and also participates in the Socio-economic Council of Flanders.

History

It was founded in 1908, by among others Lieven Gevaert as the Vlaamsch Handelsverbond, to create a Flemish counterpart of the Federation of Belgian Enterprises, and it became the VEV in 1926.

From 1971 to 1993, René De Feyter was the managing director of the VEV.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tijd.be/politiek-economie/belgie/vlaanderen/rene-de-feyter-overleden/9036824.html|title=René De Feyter overleden|date=2013-08-29|website=De Tijd|language=nl|access-date=2019-10-29}}

File:Voka-logo.jpg

In 2004, VEV formed an alliance with the Flemish Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CCI's) to create {{Interlanguage link multi|Voka (Employers organization)|nl|3=Voka (werkgeversorganisatie)}}. Today, there are still eight Voka - Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CCI) in Flanders (West Flanders, East Flanders, Antwerp-Waasland, Kempen, Mechelen, Halle-Vilvoorde, Leuven and Limburg). Together with the VEV, these eight CCI's form the Voka-Alliance, the largest Flemish network of enterprises.

This 'Voka-Alliance' unites more than 17,000 businesses from all sectors within the Flemish region. The alliance is politically independent; there is no structural funding from government. It is a non-profit organisation: small, medium and large-sized companies of all sectors everywhere in Flanders can become member on a voluntary basis.