KUWAIT CITY, April 27: As Belgium looks to renew its economic ties with Kuwait, one person is quietly but confidently leading the way: Isabelle Grippa, CEO of hub.brussels. With a calm energy and a clear sense of purpose, she’s heading a delegation of 44 Belgian companies across a wide range of sectors, all eager to open new doors in Kuwait.

Isabelle Grippa

Grippa’s career has always been about connecting people and possibilities. After earning her degree in International Relations from ULB (Université Libre de Bruxelles) and completing her Master’s at the Institute for European Studies, she moved into public service, working on initiatives that bridged business and society. From advising senior leadership in Brussels to coordinating employment programs, her focus has consistently been on creating opportunities that last.

Since taking the reins at hub.brussels in 2018, she’s helped countless startups and SMEs think beyond local borders, encouraging them to dream bigger and compete globally. That same spirit is woven into this economic mission, organized in collaboration with Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT), Wallonia Export & Investment Agency (AWEX), and the Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce (ABLCC).

For Grippa, this mission isn’t just about business deals. It’s about making introductions that could grow into real, long-term partnerships — and showing a side of Belgium that goes far beyond the well-known chocolate and waffles. Belgian companies across sectors like healthcare, engineering, sustainability, education, and technology are here to show how innovation and creativity run deep

Over two full days of forums, B2B meetings, and networking events, the delegation hopes to plant seeds for collaborations that will grow in the years to come. And at the heart of it all, Grippa’s steady leadership ensures that this visit feels personal, meaningful, and forward-looking. Belgium’s renewed outreach to Kuwait carries the promise of new beginnings and with Isabelle Grippa at the helm, it feels like the start of a very genuine journey

By: Nasser Al-Hajeri