All Bell ceremonies

Breaking Financial Barriers launches conference by sounding gong

Director Enterprise Department at the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Pieter Waasdorp, sounds the gong to mark the start of the Breaking Financial Barriers conference that takes place at Beursplein 5.

The conference is part of a series of initiatives to reduce barriers that (innovative) companies face in financing their growth. Raising capital is an important prerequisite for innovation and economic growth. Unlisted companies encounter obstacles in obtaining financing, as banks use stricter criteria for the provision of loans. Conversely, institutional investors are keen to invest but have limited opportunities for investing in unlisted companies. Breaking Financial Barriers explores how to close the gap between the two parties to make way for innovation and growth in the SME sector.

During the conference, speakers and participants identify solutions and recommendations to improve access to capital. After the conference the recommendations will be processed and widely shared and published. Speakers include Peter Waasdorp (Ministry of Economic Affairs), Hendrik van der Meulen (KplusV), Cindy van Oorschot (DNB) and Hans Leufkens (Euronext).

For more information: www.kplusv.nl

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Emission obligataire de Bank of China Group à Paris

A l'occasion de la 1ère cotation à Euronext d'obligations émises en Yuans par la succursale parisienne du groupe Bank of China, son Président, M. TIAN ouvre les marchés européens.

Le 15 juillet dernier, le groupe Bank of China, par sa succursale parisienne, a émis pour la première fois des obligations libellées en yuans sur la place de Paris. Ces émissions de 2 et 5 ans ont remporté un vif succès et sont à présent cotées sur le marché Euronext. Cette opération renforce la position parisienne en tant que place incontournable du CNY offshore.

Gong marks Dam tot Dam Weekend

By sounding the gong the alderman of the City of Zaanstad, Jeroen Olthof, launches the Dam tot Dam Weekend, which takes place on 20 and 21 September and starts next to the Euronext Exchange building.

More than 87,000 athletes will enjoy their participation during one of the Dam tot Dam events. Saturday 20 September 17,000 walkers participate in the 12^th Dam tot Dam Hike. In the evening follows a new event: the Damloop by night with 10,000 runners. One day later 6,000 cyclists come to the Dam square in Amsterdam for the 8^th Bicycle Classic. The highlight of the weekend is 30^th Dam tot Damloop with 50,000 participants, the biggest running event of the Netherlands. Over 250,000 spectators come to Amsterdam or Zaandam to soak up the atmosphere of the events.

For more information: www.damloop.nl

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Gong starts new academic year at Duisenberg school of finance

Student of Duisenberg school of finance in the MSc Finance - Corporate Finance & Banking programme, Mendel van Biert, sounds the gong, in the presence of thirteen students, in honour of the opening of the academic year.

The official celebration of the opening of the Academic Year takes place on 12 September with a keynote speech from the Deputy Secretary-General and Chief Economist, OECD, Rintaro Tamaki. He will discuss how green infrastructure investment decisions play a vital role in tackling climate change. Duisenberg school of finance is committed to shaping a sustainable financial industry that creates economic and societal value by developing talent in finance, advancing new thinking and promoting constructive dialogue.

For more information: www.dsf.nl

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COO of KLM, Pieter Elbers, sounds gong at the KLM Open

COO of KLM, Pieter Elbers, sounds the gong as the official start of the KLM Open 2014. For this special occasion the gong relocates to the Kennemer Golf & Country Club in Zandvoort.

The KLM Open, held between 11 and 14 September, has for many years been a fixed feature on the European Tour’s calendar. The history of the international golf tournament stretches back over one hundred years, and winners include many illustrious names in the world of golf. Last year, the first Dutchman since 2003, Joost Luiten, won the 'Dutch Open’. Luiten defeated the Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez in a playoff. KLM is the lead sponsor of the tournament for the 21st time. Co-sponsors ABN AMRO and Deloitte have also been associated with the event for many years.

Traditionally, the KLM Open is linked to a charity. This year’s tournament will support UNICEF, the organization that helps children around the world overcome poverty, disease, violence and discrimination. An important first step to protect children is birth registration. Worldwide, some 230 million children are not registered. This means that these children do not officially exist and therefore are not able to claim their right to health care and education.

For more information: www.klmopen.nl

Photo: Pepper Productions

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Hervé Montjotin, Président du Directoire de Norbert Dentressangle, clôture les marchés boursiers européens à Paris.

A l'occasion des 20 ans de cotation de Norbert Dentressangle sur Euronext. Norbert Dentressangle développe des solutions à valeur ajoutée en Logistique, Transport et Air & Sea sur les continents européen, américain et asiatique. Le Groupe est coté sur Euronext Paris et Londres.

Aujourd'hui 10 septembre, date anniversaire de 20 ans de cotation Euronext pour Norbert Dentressangle, Hervé Montjotin, Président du Directoire, sonnait la cloche de clôture des marchés boursiers à Paris. Cet anniversaire, qui intervient au lendemain de la première acquisition majeure du groupe aux Etats-Unis avec l'intégration de la société Jacobson, est symbolique d’un parcours de croissance ambitieux. En s'imposant comme le premier transporteur et un opérateur logistique leader en Europe, en étendant son expertise à l’Air & Sea et en réussissant son déploiement hors d'Europe, Norbert Dentressangle, groupe familial français, est devenu un acteur international de premier rang de la gestion de la chaîne d’approvisionnement. Dans ce contexte, Norbert Dentressangle a également apporté la preuve de sa solidité financière, la valeur créée par les activités du groupe se traduisant en valeur pour ses actionnaires. Sa capitalisation boursière a ainsi été multipliée par 10 depuis 1994, maintenant un cap de croissance soutenue.

Winners investment competition ‘Battle of the Schools’ sound gong

Students from the Farel College in Amersfoort, sound the gong to celebrate their victory in the investment competition for schools.

The Battle of the Schools is an investment game for students in the upper classes of the secondary and advanced secondary school system. Students are divided into groups of three or four. Each group takes on the role of an investment advisor who is responsible for advising a family member, for example a father, mother or grandparent. The students are given a virtual capital of 100,000 Euros to invest in shares and investment funds listed on Euronext Amsterdam.

For more information: www.scholenstrijd.nl 

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CTT rings the closing bell to commemorate the conclusion of privatization

CTT CEO’s, executive committee of Post Company and two Portuguese Secretaries of State rang the closing bell in Lisbon to commemorate the conclusion of companies’ privatization. Portuguese Government sold its remaining 31.5% stake in CTT overnight via an ABB (accelerated book building). CTT is the first listed company (in Portugal) with 100% of free-float. 

Carlo Bozotti, President et CEO de STMicroelectronics, célèbre les 20 ans de cotation du groupe à Paris

Carlo Bozotti, President et CEO de STMicroelectronics, a célébré les 20 ans de cotation du groupe à Paris le 9 septembre 2014. ST, à l'époque SGS-Thomson, est entré en bourse le 8 décembre 1994 à Paris et à New York. ST est le premier fabricant de semiconducteurs européen avec un chiffre d'affaires 2013 de 8.08 milliards de dollars. 

Stichting ONL voor Ondernemers visits Beursplein 5

Stichting ONL voor Ondernemers, a foundation that was set up last year with a view to helping small businesses raise their profile, sounds the gong at Beursplein 5.

Hans Biesheuvel, one of the initiators of ONL, sounds the gong. According to Biesheuvel, “ONL visits Euronext because the exchange stands for progress and entrepreneurship. The ONL shadow cabinet’s objective is to see the Dutch economy return to a 3% annual growth rate in the short term. To accomplish this we intend to invest 43.5 billion euros in the Dutch economy by 2021. We have identified the preconditions that are needed to strengthen the economic earnings model. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of the economy of the Netherlands. They want to increase their turnover, bring in new clients and orders, and they are prepared to take risks. Entrepreneurs are well aware of their responsibilities, in terms of both job creation and the need to increase tax revenue. Entrepreneurs expect something in return for this: a pro-investment agenda, lower taxes, and consistent government policy.” 

After the gong ceremony, Biesheuvel will give his inaugural Entrepreneurial Speech and present the shadow budget, which will focus on how to restore economic growth as soon as possible by enlisting the help of entrepreneurs to promote an economy that provides growth, innovation, jobs, and prosperity.

For more information: www.onl.nl

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Gong marks collection week of the Princess Beatrix Muscle Foundation

Patient and ambassador of the Princess Beatrix Muscle Foundation, Anouska Ramaker, sounds the gong to mark the start of the annual collection week that takes place till 13 September.

This week the foundation has launched a new campaign ‘Strikze tegen spierziekten’. The campaign aims at highlighting the problems faced by patients with a muscle disease.  Do the test, try tying your shoelaces whilst wearing a pair of oven gloves. It’s almost impossible and that’s just one example of what it’s like to live with a muscle disease. Visit strikze.nl to order your oven gloves. The Princess Beatrix Muscle Foundation is the largest non-profit organization in the Netherlands dedicated to curing all neuromuscular diseases such as ALS, Duchenne, SMA and Pompe. Scientific research is the means to this end.

For more information: www.strikze.nl

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Winners LOEY Awards 2014 visit Euronext Amsterdam

The winners of the LOEY Awards 2014, the awards for the best entrepreneurs in the Dutch online industry, visit Euronext Amsterdam and open trading by sounding the gong.

On 3 September Marco Aarnink of Drukwerkdeal.nl has been named winner of the 2014 LOEY Award. Five starting online business won the LOEY Starters Awards in the following categories; E-commerce: Marten Blankesteijn (Blendle) Tech: Lars van Wieren (Starred), Marketing & Media: Fabian Dudek (Nestpick) Education: Zoran Kovacevic (Studygrasp) and E-health: Martine Rooth (Fysiovoorjou.nl).

The LOEY Award is an independent award for the best entrepreneurs in the Dutch online industry. Awards are established to promote and encourage online entrepreneurship in the Netherlands. The innovative strength of this industry is enormous and the importance of online entrepreneurs for the Dutch economy is evident. By announcing successful entrepreneurs, the LOEY awards contribute to further development of online initiatives and partnerships. The LOEY Award is presented to entrepreneurs who have been in the industry for at least 4 years, with revenues over € 2.5 million in any fiscal year or a profit of € 250.000 or more​​. The LOEY Starters Awards are handed out to starting entrepreneurs.

For more information: www.loeyawards.nl

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Home Invest Belgium fête son 15ème anniversaire à la Bourse de Bruxelles

Pour honorer cet événement, Sophie Lambrighs, CEO a sonné la cloche pour l’ouverture des marchés boursiers européens le 4 septembre 2014.

Home Invest Belgium est la première Sicafi (Société d’investissement à capital fixe en immobilier) résiden­tielle d’initiative privée créée en Belgique.

Le portefeuille immobilier de Home Invest Belgium est composé pour la plus grande partie d’appartements et de maisons situés en majorité dans la région de Bruxelles-Capitale, renommée pour le dynamisme et la rentabilité de son marché locatif, son faible taux de vacance locative et ses habitations de qualité.

En répartissant les risques sur plus de 1.000 locataires et en restant concentrée géographiquement sur le marché résidentiel bruxellois – le plus grand et celui qui recèle le plus large potentiel de croissance en Belgique – Home Invest Belgium s’efforce d\’offrir à ses investisseurs un excellent niveau de sécurité, couplé à de fort belles perspectives à moyen et à long termes.

Le statut de Sicafi (Société d’investissement à capital fixe en immobilier) est analogue à celui des REIT américains (Real Estate Investment Trusts) et des SIIC françaises (Sociétés d’investissement immobilier cotées). Home Invest Belgium bénéficie ainsi, d’un régime d’imposition favorable.

Home Invest Belgium est un fonds commun de placement en immobilier coté sur le marché continu d’Euronext Brussels. ISIN : BE0003760742 et le code mnémonique : HOMI

Pour en savoir plus : www.homeinvestbelgium.be/fr

ETF Securities sounds gong to announce expansion of range of short & leverages ETP’s

ETF Securities, one of the world’s leading, independent providers of Exchange Traded Products (ETPs), launched two additional short and leveraged ETPs on Euronext Amsterdam. Following the recent launch of some of its 3x leveraged currency ETPs on the exchange, the company is expanding its short and leveraged product range available to Dutch investors by providing short and leveraged exposure to gold and silver. Philippe Roset, Head of Benelux at ETF Securities, sounds the gong to mark the announcement.

Commenting on the launch, Philippe Roset said: “The AFM recently issued new regulations that ban products for retail investors with excessive leverage. The fact that our products have limited leverage and provide a collateralised and transparent cost structure appeals to investors. ETF Securities has extensive experience in the commodities sector, and gold and silver are amongst some of our most traded products. The short and leveraged gold and silver ETPs we listed on Euronext Amsterdam will provide Dutch investors with additional tools to take short term views and make tactical trades.”

For more information: www.etfsecurities.com

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Roularta fête son 60ème anniversaire à la Bourse de Bruxelles

Pour honorer cet événement, Rik De Nolf, CEO du groupe Multimédia - Roularta - a sonné la cloche pour l’ouverture des marchésboursiers européens le 3 septembre 2014.

Roularta Media Group (RMG) est un groupe multimédia qui emploie plus de 3.000 personnes et réalise un chiffre d'affaires total de 750 millions d'euros. Fondée en 1954 par l'avocat Willy De Nolf, la société est dirigée aujourd'hui par son fils Rik, et son équipe de management. RMG œuvre à son avenir multimédia, en Belgique comme à l'étranger. En Belgique, la croissance est surtout venue de nouvelles initiatives propres. Au cours des dernières décennies, RMG a lancé elle-même la plupart des publications gratuites, a créé plusieurs magazines d'actualité belges ainsi qu'une série de magazines de niche spécifiques, a contribué au lancement de chaînes de télévision, de chaînes de radio, et d'initiatives en ligne et digitales.
La croissance est également venue d'une politique de reprise ou de concentration à l'étranger. Aujourd'hui, le département magazines de RMG réalise davantage de chiffre d'affaires à l'étranger qu'en Belgique. À l'avenir, RMG entend continuer à innover, mais aussi à se développer par le biais d'acquisitions à l'étranger.

L'action Roularta Media Group est cotée sur Euronext Bruxelles, sous la rubrique Media - Publishing, avec code ISIN BE0003741551 et Mnemo ROU.
L'action Roularta est reprise dans l'indice BEL Small Cap (BE0389857146).

Pour en savoir plus : www.roularta.be

Comedian Viggo Waas opens trading on behalf of ALS Foundation and Amsterdam City Swim

Comedian Viggo Waas opens trading by sounding the gong on behalf of the ALS Foundation and Amsterdam City Swim.

Organized for the third time this year, Amsterdam City Swim aims to raise funds for the ALS Foundation. More than 2200 participants, including 200 children, will swim over 2 kilometers in the Amsterdam Amstel and canals. The children will swim the final 500 meters  of the course the morning of the race.

Waas himself will swim the 2 kilometers as well, after which he will assist the presenter in welcoming the participants at the finish. He will do this with fellow comedian Peter Heerschop, also a participant of the race. 

ALS stands for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and is an incurable nerve and muscle disease. On average, a patient will live for only three years after he is diagnosed. Little is known about what causes ALS. Therefore, a lot of research and thus money is needed. The relatively small number of ALS patients, circa 1500, complicates the financing of scientific research into the cause and treatment of this deadly disease. The Amsterdam City Swim Foundation is committed to creating greater awareness, for increasing scientific research and provide better quality of care for the approximately 500 people who are now annually affected by ALS.

For more information: www.amsterdamcityswim.nl

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Pharming Group sounds gong to mark a summer of strategic progress

Sijmen de Vries, CEO of Pharming Group, Jaap Blaak, Chairman of the Board of Supervisory Directors of Pharming Group and the Pharming management team, visit Euronext Amsterdam to sound the gong and open trading.

The gong ceremony marks a summer of significant strategic progress for Pharming. Last week, Pharming and its US partner, Salix, announced the initiation of a randomized double blind placebo-controlled, crossover, Phase II clinical study of RUCONEST. Earlier in August Pharming announced the acquisition of certain assets of Transgenic Rabbit Models SASU (TRM), a private French company in liquidation; for € 0.5 million in cash. Through the acquisition Pharming gained access to five potential new product leads. In addition, Pharming gained access to transgenic rabbit founder technology and know-how developed by TRM. In July, Pharming announced that the Food and Drug Administration approved RUCONEST® in the USA. A US$20 million milestone payment from Salix will become payable upon the first commercial sale of Ruconest® in the US, representing significant non-dilutive funding to the company. Salix currently plans on making RUCONEST® available to patients during the fourth quarter of 2014. 

Sijmen de Vries, Pharming CEO, said: “We are delighted with the very significant regulatory and commercial progress we have made over the past summer, particularly the approval of RUCONEST® in the US, the initiation of the clinical study with RUCONEST®, and the acquisition of assets from TRM.”

For more information: www.pharming.com

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Youth Olympians celebrate success by sounding the gong

The Chinese city of Nanjing was host of the Youth Olympic Games that were held from 16-28 August. The Dutch Youth Olympic Team won 12 medals in total;  three gold, four silver and five bronze. They celebrate their success together with Chef de Mission Mark Huizinga, by sounding the gong.

The International Olympic Committee IOC organized the event for talented youngsters,  between the ages of 14 and 18, for the first time in 2010 in Singapore. 3.800 top athletes from 200 countries took part in this second edition in Nanjing. The Youth Olympic Games are organized for elite performance, but also meant as an incentive for young athletes to continue on the long and often difficult road to the senior elite top. The absolute highlight of course being participation in the senior Olympic Games. Very important is that the participants experience international competition, that they meet peers from other sports and from different countries. For NOC*NSF the top sports program during the Youth Olympic Games has the highest priority. Besides the sports program, NOC*NSF also stimulates the Dutch participants to join the accompanying cultural programs. This way they are introduced to the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect. 

For more information: www.nocnsf.nl/nanjing2014

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