All Bell ceremonies

New AFM chairman of the board, Merel van Vroonhoven, sounds gong

Merel van Vroonhoven has been appointed for a period of four years as the new chairman of the board of the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM).

Merel van Vroonhoven (1968) has been a member of the Supervisory Board of Dutch Railways since 2009, prior to which she worked at ING. There, she was responsible, as member of the General Management of Nationale Nederlanden, for the Collective Pensions Operations from 2002 to 2007, and from 2007 onwards as member of the management committee of ING Investment Management Europe.

For more information: www.afm.nl

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EnterNext welcomes Oncodesign on Alternext in Paris

Philippe Genne, CEO of Oncodesign, opens the European trading day in Paris.

Oncodesign specializes in the research and development of drugs for the treatment of cancer. The group provides preclinical pharmacological evaluation services in the oncology field.

Ringing the bell for World Autism Awareness Day 2014 Paris

To mark the United Nations' World Autism Awareness Day, Evelyne Friedel vice-president of Autism Europe and André Masin, president of AFG Autism will close the trading day in the presence of adults with autism.

World Autism Awareness Day is declared by the United Nations as an annual day to draw attention to the urgent needs of people with autism around the world. Such awareness is essential due to the frequency of this disability. 1 in 150 people have autism. 5 million people in Europe. 500,000 in France. This year, awareness shall focus on the employment of adults with autism. Only 15% of them have a full time job. Notwithstanding their skills and talents. Attention to detail, enjoying repetitive tasks, lack of tolerance for errors, persistence and loyalty are precious skills to produce a high quality of work. These qualities are more and more appreciated by numerous companies. Even when adults with autism need support, they are well performing employees and are thus a profitable investment for companies. On April 2, the closing ceremony will take place in Paris with Evelyne Friedel, vice-president of Autism Europe and André Masin, president of the national organization AFG which is in France the largest service provided dedicated to people with autism.

Bell Ceremony in honor of World Autism Awareness Day

On Wednesday 2 April 2014 celebrated Euronext World Autism Awareness Day with a Global Bell Ringing in all its locations (New York, Amsterdam, Paris and Brussels).
For this special day, Minister for Health, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunity of the Wallonian Government, Eliane Tillieux, rang the Opening Bell at Euronext Brussels. Representatives of Autism-Europe, Vlaamse Vereniging Autisme, APEPA! and Association Nationale d’Aide aux Handicapés Mentaux were present as well on the podium of the Bell Ceremony. Actress Ann Ceurvels who supports this organisation was also a guest of honour.
This day is also marked by the 5th Light It Up Blue campaign, a global initiative where over 2000 iconic buildings and landmarks across the world, including the building of the Brussels Stock Exchange, are illuminated in blue to raise awareness for Autism.
To learn more about this day and its initiatives: www.autismeurope.org

Gong marks World Autism Awareness Day

On World Autism Awareness Day all Euronext exchange locations open trading to mark the United Nations' World Autism Awareness Day. In Amsterdam the gong is sounded by Marjanka Hoogeweg and her Autism Assistance Dog, Creb (pronounce Sherp) together with representatives of the Dutch Autism Association, the Autism Fund and De Droomboom Foundation.

Autism was once considered to be a rare condition, but today it affects around 3.3 million people in the European Union, 190.000 in the Netherlands. Many find that autism limits their possibilities in life. The United Nations’ World Autism Awareness Day on April 2 aims to help rectify this situation by raising awareness of autism internationally among policy makers and the general public. Autism is a neurophysiological disorder that affects the brain. If there is no cure for autism, early intervention and lifelong support can enable people with autism to live up to their full potential. Notwithstanding the UN Convention for Persons with Disabilities, many people with autism still lack basic access to accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment, education, employment and social inclusion.

De Nederlandse Vereniging voor Autisme (NVA) is the Dutch leading autism advocacy organization for all people with autism disorder and their families. De Droombroom Foundation is a treatment center for children between two and eight years of age who have been diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder and related learning disorders.

For more information: www.autismeweek.nl, www.autisme.nl, www.stichtingdedroomboom.nl

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Michaël van Straalen, chairman of the SME Association of the Netherlands, sounds gong to highlight Week van de Ondernemer (Entre

Michaël van Straalen, chairman of the SME Association of the Netherlands, sounds the gong to highlight the start of the 17th edition of Entrepreneur Week, an initiative of ING and the SME Association of the Netherlands.

From 8 to 10 April, over 10,000 entrepreneurs from a wide range of industries will participate in the Netherlands’ biggest annual event for entrepreneurs. Guests will also be able to witness the opening of the Amsterdam exchange, as the gong ceremony will be moved to the conference floor of Entrepreneur Week for the duration of the event.

The overall theme of this year’s Entrepreneur Week is growth. Entrepreneurs can find inspiration in the motivational words of top speakers from the world of business, politics, media, science and sports, including ministers Asscher, Dijsselbloem, Kamp and Ploumen, as well as football federation coach Louis van Gaal. This year’s event is spread over four storeys, each featuring a special theme-based programme. The themes focus on the factors that enable growth: financiering, innovation, international entrepreneurship and human resources. As in previous years, there will be a special day for family businesses, on Monday 7 April.

For more information: www.weekvandeondernemer.nl

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Euronext Brussels welcomes ABO-Group Environment

Since 31 March 2014 is the company ABO-Group listed on Euronext Brussels.  ABO-Group is the new name of Thenergo.

ABO-Group has developed into a cluster of integrated environmental companies specialized in testing en engineering in various sectors such as soil, geo-technics, environment, energy and waste management.

To celebrate this event, Frank Palmenaer, CEO of ABO-Group opened the markets with a Bell Ceremony on 31 March 2014 together with the other representatives of ABO-Group

The ticker code : ABO.

If you would like to find out more on ABO-Group : www.abo-group.eu

ING opens trading for 30th anniversary EFR Business Week

In honor of the 30th anniversary of the EFR Business Week and the collaboration between ING and EFR, Mark Pieter de Boer, Global Head of Financial Markets Sales of ING, sounds the gong.

This Wednesday the 2nd of April the official opening of the EFR Business Week takes place at Erasmus University. During the “World of Business” speakers from all over the world inspire students with their unique stories. For 30 years now the EFR Business Week has been the leading student organised conference in Europe. Every year at the beginning of April the event takes place at Erasmus University and other locations in Rotterdam.

For more information: www.efrbusinessweek.nl

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CADES carries out the largest eurobond ever issued since it was created

Patrice Ract-Madoux, Chairman of CADES, opens the trading day in Paris to celebrate the listing of the largest bond issued -5 billion of euros -  since its inception.

Created in 1996, CADES (Caisse d'Amortissement de la Dette Sociale)  is an administrative public body owned and controlled by the French State. Its mission is to amortise the French social debt. To successfuly achieve its mission entrusted by French Parliament, CADES has the possibility to issue tradable debt securities. The outstanding success of this transaction underlines the confidence that international investors have in CADES, one of the first European issuer. They particularly appreciate the solidity of the French social debt amortization mechanism, as well as the quality of the resource that is collected among the population under the supervision of the French Parliament and the Constitutional Council. Since its establishment, CADES has amortised a total of €84.1 billion of French social debt on a total of €216.7 billion assumed since inception. This reduction in the French public debt is equivalent in amount to 4 percentage points of 2013 GDP. When the interest saving on the amortised debt is taken into account, the reduction equates to more than 5 per cent of GDP.

Nyenrode Business University and Oxyor visit Beursplein 5

Nyenrode Business University and Oxyor visit Beursplein 5 as part of the Private Investor Programme. Course participant Jeroen Hemels sounds the gong.

The Private Investor Programme teaches participants to analyse and manage their own investment portfolios according to the latest insights in the field of investing. After successful completion of this programme, the graduates are able to independently take control of their own portfolio.

For more information: www.nyenrode.nl

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Ronald de Boer opens trading and registration for the 2014 Winter Challenge

By sounding the gong, Ronald de Boer, patron of Spieren voor Spieren Foundation, opens trading together with Coco Huiberts. At the same time, registration opens for the Winter Challenge. The Winter Challenge is an annual fundraising sporting event for Spieren voor Spieren Foundation.

In the night of 25 to 26 October, over 50 locations throughout the Netherlands are décor for exercise events, to raise money for children with muscle disease. With over 132 Challenges and proceeds exceeding € 400,000, in 2013, this event is one of the biggest sports charity events in the Netherlands.

For more information: www.wintertijdchallenge.nl en www.spierenvoorspieren.nl

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Launch of the first Leverage & Short Certificates on the BEL 20 index

Société Générale has launched the first daily leverage and short Certificates on Euronext Brussels. These new products are designed to provide investors with 5 x the daily performance of the BEL 20, the key index of the Brussels Stock Exchange. To celebrate this event, Sébastien David, Investors Relations Global Equity Flow of Société Générale has rang the Opening Bell on 26 March 2014 in the presence of Katherine Haesaerts, Global Markets, Cross Asset Solutions, Sales Benelux of Société Générale.

Sounding of the gong marks start of BioCapital Europe 2014

BioCapital Europe 2014, organized by Life Sciences Partners (LSP), will take place on Thursday 27 March 2014 in Amsterdam. John P. de Koning, Partner at LSP and conference host, sounds the gong.

BioCapital Europe is Europe's premier life sciences investment conference, offering venture capitalists (VCs) and Institutional Investors unique and timely access to around 40 exciting biotech companies from the Benelux and Europe. In 2013, the event attracted 200 attendees.

For more information: www.biocapitaleurope.com

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Euronext welcomes Mc Phy Energy on Euronext in Paris

Pascal Mauberger, Chief Executive Officer of McPhy Energy, opens the European trading day in Paris.

McPhy Energy specializes in manufacturing and marketing hydrogen production and storage equipments in form of solid from water electrolysis. The group also provides electrolyzers, storage containers as well as integrated solutions.
At the end of 2013, McPhy Energy has 3 production sites located in France, Germany and Italy.

Financial Study Association Rotterdam and Duisenberg School of Finance sound the gong

DSF is committed to providing excellent financial education in order to create the next generation of responsible financial leaders. FSR is the study association for students Accounting, Controlling and Finance of the Erasmus University Rotterdam.

The goal of the FSR is to create a link between theory - as it is taught in universities - and the versatile financial world in practice. This is accomplished by organizing various activities and events. With around 1800 members, the FSR is the largest study association at Erasmus University Rotterdam. Gijs Romer, chairman FSR sounds the gong.

For more information: www.dsf.nl en www.fsr.nl

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Sounding of the gong in honor of new AEX-Index

The gong ceremony is dedicated to the new composition of the AEX-Index® as of March 24. From this day, Delta Lloyd NV, OCI and Boskalis are part of the main index.

Euronext uses a new selection method for the AEX-Index family, as a result of an extensive market consultation. For the composition of the indices, now the free float adjusted market capitalization of the company is leading, where formerly the trade turnover was. This makes the AEX-Index an even better reflection of the Dutch capital market, and therefore is more in line with international standards.

The AEX-Index was established in 1983 and offers great visibility its constituents, and additionally serves as the underlying value for more than 1000 products. Niek Hoek, CEO of Delta Lloyd, opens trading in honor of the inclusion of his company in the AEX.

For more information: https://www.euronext.com/en/list-products/euronext-indices-for-product-creation

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Bell Ceremony to celebrate the inclusion of bpost in the BEL 20

On Monday 24 March 2014, Martine Durez, chairwoman of the Board of bpost, rang the Opening Bell of the financial markets on Euronext Brussels to celebrate the entry of bpost in the BEL 20 and this in the presence of Pierre Winand, CFO.

Koen Van Gerven, CEO of bpost, was our guest of honour and gave a speech at the end of the ceremony (NL/FR).

If you would like to know more about bpost : please click on www.bpost.be

NLdoet sounds the gong to mark the start of this year’s campaign

Today marks the start of the two-day national volunteer campaign NLdoet, during which the entire country is invited to spend a day or part of a day participating in volunteer work. Maribi Gomez, director of an Amsterdam-based coordination centre for volunteers, sounds the gong.

In Amsterdam alone there are over 230 volunteer jobs to be done, such as renovating a stable for riding lessons for the handicapped, taking the elderly for walks in the park, planting a vegetable garden, constructing picnic tables or picking up litter. One of the objectives of the NLdoet initiative is to shine a spotlight on volunteers and to show how important active citizenship is for society. But more importantly, to show how much fun volunteering can be!

Read more: www.nldoet.nl

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