Today, the municipalities of Breda and Zundert and the City of Hoogstraten took an important step towards the future of the cross-border business park area along the A16/E19 on the Belgian-Dutch border. On 5 March, the 'Convenant Grensverbond' (border alliance convenant) was signed: a new and sustainable international collaboration that is necessary to jointly address cross-border challenges.

Mayor Joyce Vermue: “The strategic location of Business Centre Treeport is unique. This also comes with unique challenges. Seeing how we can collaborate with Hoogstraten and Breda to create a stronger business park area is a good thing. By joining forces, we can address the challenges that come with being located on the border more effectively.”

Cross-border cooperation: necessary and new
Hazeldonk, Transportzone Meer and Business Centre Treeport are located exactly on the Belgian-Dutch border. This makes it a unique business location in Europe. Companies use each other’s roads, facilities and infrastructure, and it increasingly resembles one large business park area.
Given the growing interconnection in ambitions and challenges in these areas, a letter of intent was signed two years ago. The aim was to better organise coordination between the three involved municipal authorities. This has now been achieved. The new covenant establishes that this administrative and official cooperation will become structural. It has also been agreed that an annual cooperation plan will be drawn up, which will further elaborate on the ambitions of the covenant.

For entrepreneurs, this cooperation means that several cross-border challenges that the three areas logically face will be addressed more decisively.

Alderman for Economic Affairs Ralph Bogers: “The economy does not stop at the border. Through this cooperation we strengthen the competitive position of Business Centre Treeport and create new opportunities for entrepreneurs.”

Examples of joint challenges

• Safety: working towards safer business parks and strengthening the resilience of entrepreneurs.
• Mobility: improving traffic circulation, signage/wayfinding and accessibility of the areas. Coordinating projects and works in the public space.
• Sustainability: joint approach to cross-border themes such as energy infrastructure and water quality.
• Economic development: aligning policy agendas and making the most of opportunities for entrepreneurs.