All Bell ceremonies

Gong ceremony marks National Commemoration of the recent air disaster

On Monday 10 November ceremonies will be held to commemorate the crash of MH17. The purpose of the national commemoration is to demonstrate solidarity with the families of the victims.

A remembrance ceremony will be held in Amsterdam’s RAI conference centre for the families of the victims and for others affected by the air disaster. Minister President Mark Rutte will attend on behalf of the government, and His Majesty King Willem Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Maxima will also be in attendance.

The music is provided by amongst others the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra. Members of the Orchestra visit Euronext before the commemoration to play a piece of commemorative music. Vincent Cox wrote a special composition, "Memories 10:11", which includes the sound of the gong. RFO Percussion, Esther Doornink, sounds the gong.

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KNRM celebrates 190th anniversary

Voluntary crew member Kees Kuyt sounds the gong to mark the 190^th anniversary of the Royal Netherlands Sea Rescue Institution‘s (KNRM).

A milestone which has been reached by two centuries of voluntary input, supported and maintained by donations. Starting as a small initiative, the KNRM has grown into a professional organization that can be called upon 24 hours a day. With 1.300 volunteers operating out of 45 lifeguard stations and with 75 lifeboats at its disposal, the KNRM is the prime partner for the Coast Guard in Search and Rescue operations. The KNRM leans on three pillars; the voluntary service-crew, voluntary donations and zero-costs to the people in need of help. Modern facilities and professional education is provided to the volunteers such as Kees Kuyt. The donors are well-informed as to how their donations are used and they are welcomed at the open days organized by the KNRM.

The Amsterdam exchange also contributed to the KNRM. The donation in 1992 resulted in a lifeboat called Beursplein 5. The boat is still in use and is located at the rescue station Texel.

For more information: www.knrm.nl

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Euronext Brussels marks Armistice Day with Bell Ceremony

On 7 November 2014, Albert Lebon, war veteran and former staff member of Euronext Brussels, rang the Opening Bell in honour of all the victims of the First and Second World War

Launch of the first leverage products on CAC Next 20® Index

Christophe Grosset, Head of Listed Products Sales, and Anna Maria Rathnow, Head of product management, both at UniCredit, open the European trading day.

Gong marks 1st anniversary AEX Experience

By sounding the gong the 1^st anniversary of the ‘Amsterdam Exchange (AEX) Experience’ is celebrated; an interactive exhibition about the importance and role of the exchange for the economy, the listed companies, the history and the traded products.

One year ago, Her Majesty Queen Máxima opened the Experience during the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Amsterdam exchange building at Beursplein 5. During a visit to the Experience visitors learn about the exchange and its social role as a growth engine of the economy. The exhibition also shows its rich history, which goes back to the East India Company (VOC) and the activities of the listed companies. Visitors get the opportunity to determine their investor profile and can test their skills as a trader in the crowd. Visiting the trading floor is also a part of the tour. Coordinator of the Experience, Ton Ruitenburg, sounds the gong together with members of the Experience team.

For more information: www.amsterdam-exchange-experience.nl

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Investor Relations Workshop at Euronext Brussels

On 6 November 2014, the Investor Relations Workshop : “Marketing of the Stock and Investor Relations: key success factors for Intermediary and Medium Enterprises” was opened with a Bell Ceremony.  Panelists Marieke Vermeersch, Member of BIRA, Hans Buysse, Vice-President of ABAF, Gert de Mesure, Equity Analyst of VFB and Philip Bille, Executive Director of Petercam Asset Management opened the European markets. The event was followed by a panel discussion with companies, analysts, Mid Cap investors and brokers. The workshop is organised by Enternext and the partners of the event where Actifin (www.actifin.fr) and Tradinfo (www.tradinfo.com).

DNB visits Euronext to mark its 200th anniversary

Klaas Knot, President of De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB), sounds the gong. By opening trading the President marks DNB's bicentenary.

For 200 years DNB has worked on trust. From the very first moment, in 1814, when King William I founded DNB, the institution has guarded over financial stability in the Netherlands. In a complex world. If required, proactively, and always taking a long-term approach.

Financial stability calls for stable prices, smooth and secure payments, and sound and ethical financial institutions. These are preconditions for a healthy economy and prosperity in the Netherlands. And this is what DNB strives for.

For more information: www.dnb.nl

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Villa Joep takes research into neuroblastoma public

Villa Joep, the Dutch foundation against neuroblastoma childhood cancer, takes promising research results public. By sounding the gong, Villa Joep draws attention for the further development of scientific breakthroughs into new treatment options.

“Achieving this requires significant amounts of money, also from the corporate world”,says Chairman Jos Huijbregts.“Villa Joep has been highly successful in boosting research. Two years ago, Villa Joep-funded researchers achieved major breakthroughs, which were published in the internationally renowned scientific journal Nature. As a relatively small foundation, this gives us great pride. It is of vital importance that these breakthroughs are now taken further to lead to new, effective treatments. That is why today we bring neuroblastoma research to the attention of the business world.”

Villa Joep organizes ‘The Encounter’ between art and research in the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam on Wednesday November 12^th. At this special occasion researchers, volunteers, patients and their parents, professional partners and sponsors will meet. It will be an afternoon with royal allure as Her Majesty Queen Máxima will be present for a part of the program. The Villa Joep Elephant sounds the gong.

For more information: www.villajoep.nl

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Dutch Private Equity and Venture Capital Association celebrates 30th anniversary

The Dutch Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (NVP) celebrates its 30^th anniversary by sounding the gong.

The NVP is the voice of private equity and venture capital in the Netherlands. The goals of the NVP are to: omprove the investment climate for private equity and venture capital in the Netherlands, make private equity and venture capital known to a wider audience and highlighting its role to relevant stakeholders, inform entrepreneurs about the possibilities of a private equity or venture capital investment, inform investors about private equity and venture capital as an asset class and add to the further development of professional standards.

NVP chair Philip Houben sounds the gong: ‘’The sector is of increasing importance in a number of ways. Whereas in 1984 the sector had about 30 mln. Guilders of assets under management, presently 30 bln. Euro is managed. The combined turnover of portfolio companies amounts to 13% of Dutch GDP and 400,000 people in the Netherlands are employed by private equity-backed companies. The NVP works on making the sector’s voice heard and understood.’’

For more information: www.nvp.nl

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Algorithmic Trading Group, Ltd. sounds gong as a new Euronext member

Director and co-owner of Algorithmic Trading Group (ATG) Ltd., Tom Voute, opens trading by sounding the gong. ATG celebrates its recent admission as a cash member of Euronext.

ATG is a young trading company founded in October 2008 in Hong Kong, by Bob Collin, Chun Wing Man and Tom Voute. ATG specializes in high frequency automated trading on the major financial markets around the world. ATG has offices in Hong Kong, the Netherlands and Curacao.

For more information: www.algorithmictradinggroup.com

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CDP visits Euronext for ‘CDP Benelux Climate Leadership Awards Conference’

By sounding the gong CDP marks the start of the ‘CDP Benelux Climate Leadership Awards Conference’ that takes place at Euronext Amsterdam.

Companies and investors come together to discuss how investors use environmental data and which corporate mitigation and adaptation solutions are paving the way to a greener economy. The 2014 Benelux report’s key findings and company results will be introduced, and for the first time, CDP will hand out awards for the climate leaders in the Benelux region.

CDP is an international, not-for-profit organization providing the only global system for companies and cities to measure, disclose, manage and share vital environmental information. CDP now holds the largest collection globally of primary climate change, water and forest risk commodities information and puts these insights at the heart of strategic business, investment and policy decisions. CDP’s Director for the France & Benelux regions, Laurent Babikian, sounds the gong.

For more information: www.cdp.net

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Gong marks start of Ordina Open Innovation Day

By sounding the gong Partner SMART Technologies, Richard van Tilborg, CEO Stépan Breedveld, and CFO Jolanda Poots-Bijl, mark the start of the Ordina Open Innovation Day that takes place on 29 October. The theme of the day is ‘Humanisation of IT’.

During the Open Innovation Day, the winners of the Public Challenge are announced. The Challenge is the innovation competition that is organised each year. This year’s competition is focussed on Ordina’s employees, clients and suppliers to realise innovations with a social impact. The five finalists will have a chance to make their pitches and the public and the jury will decide who wins the challenge. The Innovation Challenge was initiated by Ordina to offer small organisations and start-ups a platform for their innovative ideas.

Ordina is a services provider in the field of consulting, solutions and IT in the Benelux and focusses on the financial services sector, public sector, healthcare sector and a number of specific segments in the industry sector. More than 2,900 employees use their know-how and expertise on a daily basis to future-proof, rejuvenate and improve corporate processes and IT by implementing strategy and policies on the basis of real knowledge of clients’ business, local laws and regulations, language and culture.

For more information: www.ordina.nl

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Gong marks IPO Probiodrug

By sounding the gong, CEO of Probiodrug (Trading symbol PBD), Dr Konrad Glund, celebrates the IPO of Probiodrug. Mr. Glund is accompanied by amongst others, Dr Hendrik Liebers, CFO and Dr Inge Lues, Chief Development Officer of Probiodrug.

Headquartered in Halle, Germany, Probiodrug AG is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of new therapeutic products for the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease. Founded in 1997, the company successfully developed a novel therapeutic concept for diabetes – the DP4 inhibitors – which provided the basis for a novel class of antidiabetics – the gliptins. Its core capabilities are based on its long-standing expertise in the elucidation of the structure and function of enzymes involved in the modification of proteins and peptides which play a central role in pathological conditions.

Today Probiodrug’s aim is to become a leading company in the development of Alzheimer’s Disease treatments and to thereby provide a better life for Alzheimer’s Disease patients. It has identified a new therapeutic concept linked to disease initiation and progression. The development approaches are targeting pyroglutamate-Abeta (pGlu-Abeta) as a therapeutic strategy to fight Alzheimer’s Disease. The Company has medical use and composition of matter patents related to the inhibition of QC and anti-pGlu-Abeta- specific monoclonal antibodies, providing it, in the Company’s view, with a leading position in this field of research.

Alzheimer’s Disease is a neurological disorder, which is the most common form of dementia, and ultimately leads to death. Because Alzheimer’s Disease cannot be cured and is degenerative, the affected patients must increasingly rely on others for assistance. Today, over 35 million people worldwide currently live with the condition and this number is expected to double by 2030 and to more than triple by 2050 to 115 million (World Alzheimer Report 2013).

For more information: www.probiodrug.de

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International Day of United Nations

By sounding the gong Renée Jones-Bos, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, raises awareness for the International Day of United Nations (UN).

The Kingdom of the Netherlands is deeply committed to promoting the core work of the UN at the highest level. That is why the Kingdom is a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Candidate for the period 2017-2018. “The Kingdom of the Netherlands, Your Partner for Peace Justice and Development” is the slogan that reflects this international ambition. The Kingdom of the Netherlands is one of the founding members of the UN, which was established exactly 69 years ago. Today, the UN is still the main organization for international peace and security, human rights and development, with the UNSC as its most powerful body.

For more information: www.rijksoverheid.nl

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Jacques Moineville, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of AFD rings the bell

Agence Française de Développement is the operator for France’s bilateral development finance mechanism. It is a public industrial and commercial institution with the status of specialized financial institution. Its action is in line with the policy set out in France’s Framework Document for Development Cooperation. This document was approved at the end of 2010 and in 2011 was translated into a three-year contract specifying objectives and resources between the French Government and AFD.

AFD’s teams are based in Paris and Marseille and in a network of seventy agencies and representations in developing countries and the French overseas provinces.

AFD Group comprises a private sector financing arm, Proparco, and is also a shareholder of housing companies and a financial company in the French overseas provinces, where the Group plays a specific role in this sector. 

AFD is also responsible for the management of the French Global Environment Facility (French GEF), which cofinances projects that reconcile environment and development.

NBWM celebrates winning the National Business Success Award

The Nederlandsche Betaal & Wisselmaatschappij (NBWM) is a new non-bank provider of currency exchange and international payment services for Dutch SME. By sounding the gong the winning of the National Business Success Award in the category ‘Specialist Financial Services’ is marked.

The jury: "NBWM is a reliable money-saving alternative for entrepreneurs in foreign exchange transactions. The organization offers better and according to experts the best exchange rates. Thanks to the innovative, cost-effective organization with a personal, customer-focused and proactive service, the organization offers an unprecedented attractive economic benefit to its customers."

NBWM focuses on serving medium-sized and small companies with international payment or currency conversion requirements. The office is located at Beursplein 5. Managing Partner and co-founder, Pieter-Jan Datema, sounds the gong.

For more information: www.nbwm.nl

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Inverko sounds gong for circular economy

By sounding the gong the CEO of recycling specialist Inverko (ticker symbol: INVER), Henk Alssema, marks the start of the cooperation with Friesian waste- and collection company Omrin and its umbrella company Midwaste.

With the same vision on waste the chain partners found each other on their way to a circular economy. Inverko, Omrin and Midwaste consider waste as raw material. The collaboration consists of developing sustainable projects where domestic plastic waste is processed into raw material. From this raw material products are created that can be delivered to municipalities and consumers. This life cycle cooperation not only delivers a saving of raw materials and a reduction in waste, but also products that are still valuable at the end of their service life. That means in addition to ecological economical capital appreciation.

“Closing the loops” is a sustainable project in which Inverko and Omrin with their project partners Philips, Lankhorst, Cumapol and Stenden University join forces. By sharing knowledge and technologies, collector, recyclers and producers are able to reprocess more waste streams to raw material into new products. This project is supported by the Province of Friesland and the packaging industry.

For more information: www.inverko.nl

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EnterNext welcomes SAFTI on Alternext in Paris

Gabriel Pacheco, CEO of SAFTI, rings the opening bell.

Safti Groupe is a national network of independent real estate consultants, working at home and on the Internet and covering the entire country.The consultants offer project management (purchasing, leasing, or selling) that continues until the closing and give their customers nationwide communication services, primarily by means of mass advertising distribution for real estate properties on the Internet.