All Bell ceremonies

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 celebrates 60th anniversary on Euronext Brussels

To celebrate the 60^th anniversary of the multimediagroup Roularta, Rik De Nolf, CEO of Roularta  rang the Opening Bell on Euronext Brussels on 3 September 2014.

Roularta Media Group (RMG) is a multimedia group with more than 3,000 employees and a consolidated turnover of 750 million euros. The company was incorporated in 1954 by solicitor Willy De Nolf and is now led by his son Rik De Nolf and his management team. RMG is continuing to build its multimedia future. Home and abroad.
In Belgium, the growth was mainly a matter of in-house, repeatedly new initiatives. Over the past decades RMG has launched most of the free papers, created the different Belgian news magazines and a series of specific niche magazines, and was co-responsible for launching TV and radio channels and increasingly more online and other digital initiatives. In addition, the growth has been the result of a foreign take-over and concentration policy. Today the RMG magazines department achieves a greater turnover abroad than in Belgium. In the future RMG wants to keep innovating but also grow further through foreign acquisitions.

Roularta Media Group's shares are listed on Euronext Brussels under the section Media - Publishing, ISIN Code BE0003741551 and Mnemo ROU.
The Roularta share is included in the BEL Small Cap index (BE0389857146).

To find out more : 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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ABN AMRO sounds gong for start Uitmarkt 2014

On Friday 29, Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 August you’ll find the Uitmarkt 2014 on and around the Museumplein and Leidseplein in Amsterdam.

The Uitmarkt marks the start of the new cultural season, and with the theme Talent Grows!, this year there’s more room than ever for upcoming young talent. With nearly 500,000 visitors, more than 1,500 artists and some 30 stages, the Uitmarkt has become the largest and best-known freely accessible cultural festival in the Netherlands. Visitors get a taste of everything coming up in the fields of theatre, cabaret, dance, musical theatre, literature, film, opera and music.

On 29 August, the ABN AMRO Uitmarkt Business Day takes place in venues including the Royal Concertgebouw. During the Business Day, Dutch cultural institutions can get free advice on all aspects of cultural entrepreneurship with the purpose of sharing knowledge and encouraging cooperation between large and smaller cultural institutions. In 2014 and 2015, ABN AMRO is the lead partner. CEO of Amsterdam Marketing, Frans van der Avert, sounds the gong.

For more information: www.uitmarkt.nl

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Gong marks 30th anniversary Eye Care Foundation

By sounding the gong the Eye Care Foundation marks its 30^th anniversary. Medical Advisor ECF Nepal and Chairman of the Mechi Eye Hospital in Nepal, Gopal Prasad Pokharel, sounds the gong.

Eye Care Foundation (ECF) helps to prevent and cure blindness and visual impairment in developing countries. During the last three decades the work of ECF has evolved from emergency aid to building sustainable eye care services in developing countries. "The results we have achieved with the aid from our donors in these past 30 years make us feel proud”, Rob van Rooijen, Chairman of the ECF Board states. "In our vision affordable eye care must be available for all. By detecting and treating eye diseases and blindness at an early stage, people are able to greatly improve their quality of life", Rob van Rooijen concludes.

Eye care in most developing countries is still lacking in a lot of areas, compared to the Dutch situation. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 28 million people in developing countries are unnecessarily blind. Their blindness is due to a lack of good medical facilities, poor hygiene or Vitamin A deficiency.

For more information: www.eyecarefoundation.nl

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Euronext launches equity options on Euronext

Euronext sounds the gong to mark the launch of equity options on Euronext.

The trading in equity options on Euronext N.V. shares will start on the Amsterdam derivatives market as of Thursday 28^th August.The new options will be listed in the Spotlight Options section, Euronext’s special segment dedicated to the development of new option classes requested by market participants. Spotlight Options give visibility to underlying assets such as newly listed stocks, SME’s and/or assets with notable market events or activity. Through a unique combination of Liquidity Provider support and dedicated promotion by Sponsoring Brokers, underlying assets are  put in the spotlight with short-term maturities options of one, two and three months.

The options are being listed in the Amsterdam Spotlight options segment following the successful IPO of Euronext N.V. on 20^th  June. The American-style options (ticker symbol: ENX) will expire on the third Friday of the contract month and will have initial maturities of one, two and three months. Each option will represent 100 shares in Euronext and these options will be cleared via LCH.Clearnet SA. The liquidity in the Euronext options will be supported by Susquehanna International Securities Limited. Head of Financial Derivatives at Euronext, Adam Rose, sounds the gong.

For more information: https://www.euronext.com/en

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Young SME Netherlands visits Beursplein 5 to celebrates 17.5 years anniversary

Young SME Netherlands was founded 17.5 years ago and celebrates this anniversary by sounding the gong.

Young SME Netherlands ensures that entrepreneurs with a passionate spirit are connected with each other and joins the many organizations and initiatives that encourage healthier capitalism. The young entrepreneur is not just for personal gain, but also gets satisfaction from promoting other people's success. Chairman of Young SME Amsterdam, André van der Kruk, sounds the gong. This small but powerful club is aiming for an innovative business climate. They are entrepreneurs with a 'bite' that want to create awareness.

For more information: www.mkb.nl

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Women cycle team Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) opens trading

One week before the start of the Tour for Life 2014, captains Margit van Zon and Nicole de Vries-Noach of the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) cycle team open trading at Euronext Amsterdam.

The Tour for Life is the spectacular cycle tour for MSF: more than 1,200 kilometers and over 20,000 altitude meters in eight classic stages through five countries. The sixth edition starts on 31 August in Italy with an amazing peloton of 36 determined cycling teams. The cyclists had to train hard for the tough challenge ahead, and had to raise a minimum of 15,000 euro for MSF’s medical emergency aid. The cyclists will finish the tour on 7 September in Landgraaf in Limburg.

For more information: www.tourforlife.nl

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ShelterBox The Netherlands sounds gong to kick-off Challenge

ShelterBox The Netherlands sounds the gong to mark the kick-off of the ShelterBox Challenge 2014.

During the weekend of 23 and 24 August, national and international teams will compete at the annual ShelterBox Challenge. This year’s edition is named 24 hour back to basics. In the heart of Amsterdam, the participants have to survive as if they have just been hit by a natural disaster. They follow a route along the highlights of the city to raise awareness for the Challenge and experience the power of ShelterBox.

ShelterBox is an international disaster relief charity that provides emergency shelter and relief to people worldwide affected by a natural disaster or humanitarian crisis. ShelterBox is a unique concept consisting of an emergency kit with basic materials such as tents, blankets, cooking utensils and tools in order survive the first phase after a disaster. Team member Events, Brenda van Laar, sounds the gong in the presence of the board and a Challenge Team.

For more information: www.shelterboxchallenge.nl

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Bell Ceremony to celebrate the listing of the bond issued by Group Sleuyter

On Wednesday 21 August 2014, Franklin Sleuyter, CEO of Group Sleuyter Real Estate, opened the European stock markets with a Bell Ceremony to celebrate the listing of bonds by Group Sleuyter. Lead Manager and Bookrunner is Merit Capital.

Groep Sleuyter is the best reference on the subject of coast apartment construction : www.sleuyter.be

Aegon sounds gong to mark World Rowing Championships

On Sunday 24 August, the best rowers in the world gather at the Bosbaan Amsterdam for the World Rowing Championships.

For eight days rowers from 60 countries will compete for 27 world titles. This is the first time since 1977 that the Netherlands has hosted the World Rowing Championships. Aegon is the main sponsor of the Royal Dutch Rowing Federation (KNRB) and one of the sponsors of the World Rowing Championships. Visitors from all over the world are expected to come together in the Aegon Fanzone, where daily activities, receptions and live performances take place. On the final days of the competition, medal winners will be honoured in the Aegon Fanzone. The official opening of the World Rowing Championships will take place on Saturday 23 August during a spectacular opening ceremony at the Museumplein. The finals of the competition on 29, 30 and 31 August will be broadcasted live by the NOS.

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Sounding of the gong by nine year old Lotta for the Clean Air Rally

By sounding the gong, nine year old and former asthma patient, Lotta Bakkum calls attention for the Schone Lucht Rally (Clean Air Rally) for electric and plug-in hybrid cars on the 20th of September.

With this event, the organization promotes electric mobility and the importance of clean air for the future of our children. The event consists of ten car rallies in the cities of Amsterdam, Almere, Amersfoort, Den Haag, Eindhoven, Enschede, Helmond, Rotterdam, Tilburg and Utrecht. The Schone Lucht Rally is the largest event for electric mobility with many participating politicians, top managers and celebrities. Lotta calls everyone with an electric or plug-in hybrid car, to participate in one of the rallies.

Main partner of the event is Lung Fund to which a donation will be made. Lung Fund is a Dutch health and patients organization, which provides information about asthma and COPD and finances scientific research. Clean and healthy air is one of the main objectives of the foundation.

For more information: www.schoneluchtrally.nl

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New CEO Dutch Investors’ Association, Paul Koster, visits Euronext

Paul Koster sounds the opening gong at Euronext Amsterdam to celebrate his appointment as the CEO of the Dutch Investors’ Association (VEB).

The new CEO is anxious to start his job representing the interests of investors and standing up for their rights where necessary. “At a time when more and more financial responsibility is being shifted to the individual, I look forward to supporting investors,” Paul Koster said. “The VEB wants to help investors accept their responsibility, for example by encouraging transparency about risks and costs. In addition we will continue to act in the best interest of the investors, as the VEB has so successfully done in recent years.” The Dutch Investors’ Association is celebrating its 90^th anniversary this year.

In 2013 Paul Koster was senior advisor to the Governor of the DiFC. In the period from 2008 – 2012 he was the CEO of Dubai’s financial regulator. Koster, who trained as an accountant, has also served on the managing board of the AFM and as chief compliance officer at the Amsterdam exchange. Paul Koster’s predecessor Jan Maarten Slagter held the position at the VEB for seven years.

For more information: www.veb.net

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National Association De Zonnebloem celebrates 65th anniversary

National Association De Zonnebloem celebrates its 65^th year anniversary by sounding the gong at Euronext Amsterdam.

The mission of the association is to help disabled people to enjoy life as much as possible. Over 40,000 volunteers in The Netherlands help realize this goal. Around 155,000 people with physical disabilities use the services of the association and more than 8,000 of them enjoy a customized holiday every year. Very special is the fact that there are almost as many volunteers to provide the necessary care. De Zonnebloem believes that there are still plenty of opportunities to help people with disabilitiesby providing the needed knowledge and expertise.

For more information: www.zonnebloem.nl

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Grachtenfestival Amsterdam opens trading with clarinetist Bart de Kater

Clarinetist Bart de Kater opens trading at Euronext Amsterdam for the opening of Grachtenfestival Amsterdam.

The festival has alternative ways to introduce classical music to a broad audience and it helps young, talented musicians to shine. The program starts on Friday 15 August with a concert on the pontoon in front the Bellevue theater. Grachtenfestival Amsterdam will be held until 24 August, and this year it boasts 250 concerts on 90 different venues. The venues of this year's concerts are the future subway station Vijzelgracht, the future bicycle tunnel under Amsterdam Central Station, the Hembrug area, several venues at the Zuidas, and more. Clarinetist Bart de Kater performs at the Portuguese Synagoge on Thursday 21 August at 8pm.

For more information: www.grachtenfestival.nl

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AIF and NYU Stern School of Business sound gong for Master in Risk Management

Amsterdam Institute of Finance (AIF) and NYU Stern School of Business sound the gong for the Master of Science in Risk Management for Executives program, a Master’s program for professionals in Risk Management. The program takes place in New York, Amsterdam and Hong Kong in one year.

Amsterdam Institute of Finance (AIF) is a self-supporting, not-for-profit foundation, specialized in providing high-level financial training for finance and other professionals. Participants in AIF programs have the advantage of learning from the world's leading experts who have significant teaching as well as consulting experience. AIF has welcomed participants from more than 1000 organizations representing over 100 countries to its programs. Particular areas of expertise include Risk Management, Corporate Finance, Project Finance, Valuation, Financial Analysis, Investments, and Negotiation Skills. In The Netherlands, AIF worked together with PRMIA (Professional Risk Managers' International Association) to launch PRMIA's first Dutch chapter. AIF is also a PRMIA Partner for seminars and financial training.

For more information: www.aif.nl

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