The announcement was made shortly before 4pm this Friday: Beci's managing director, boss of Brussels employers, Olivier Willocx, will feature on the MR lists in Brussels.
Olivier Willocx has played a leading role in the Brussels business world since 2000, the year he was appointed Director-General of the Brussels Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Georges-Louis Bouchez: “I am delighted to announce a new eligible candidate on the Brussels lists: the representative of Brussels employers, Olivier Willocx, who has led BECI for 25 years. It is important for the MR to show that the business world is a major issue in the redeployment of our economy and our country. Olivier will play a dual role within the MR, working on current business issues as well as traditional employment matters. His expertise will be of the greatest importance. The challenge with Olivier is to enable Brussels to remain a major economic hub, a good place to invest, get involved and develop. Together with many party officials, including Sophie Wilmes and David Leisterh, we consider Olivier a genuine asset to meet all these challenges.”
David Leisterh: “I am delighted that Olivier is joining the MR in Brussels. He knows Brussels and its economic fabric, and as we know, Brussels must manage to keep its middle class, and also create one. Every year, 3,000 businesses leave the capital. Through Beci, he knows exactly what businesses expect. With Olivier, we are bringing in a hands-on expert from the business world. I am proud and happy to be able to count on someone of such great quality.”
Olivier Willocx: “After 25 years, I wanted to do something else. To take on responsibility rather than watch from the outside. Having the opportunity to be the voice of businesses is hard to turn down. This isn't the first time I've been asked to stand on a list; until now I always said no. I wasn't asked to tone things down. It's true that issues linked to the economy, poverty, unemployment… in Brussels are real challenges. Starting tomorrow, we need to bring together and mobilise all Brussels stakeholders to make sure Brussels improves, because right now it is definitely not doing well. I have a sense of responsibility, so I accepted.”