Orthodox Jewish entrepreneurs diversify business at Antwerp Expo

Local business owners took precedence at the Antwerp Expo on Wednesday as the Antwerk trade fair drew 4,500 visitors, up from more than 3,000 the previous year, with a substantial presence of Jewish-orthodox entrepreneurs seeking to forge commercial ties outside their immediate community, gva.be reported.

Antwerp Organizers Ban Foreign Exhibitors to Support Local Businesses

One hundred and twenty-six exhibitors gathered inside the exhibition hall on Jan Van Rijswijcklaan, ranging from real estate agencies and plumbers to fire protection firms. Every participating business originated within Antwerp itself. Co-organizer Morris Gallitzky, aged 25, rejected applications from foreign exhibitors to highlight local enterprises.

Te veel mensen doen beroep op ondernemers buiten België, waardoor geld uit onze economie verdwijnt naar het buitenland, Gallitzky stated to gva.be. He argued that local syndics managing multiple properties should routinely hire neighborhood locksmiths instead of looking abroad.

Diversifying Beyond the Diamond Sector

For many Jewish-orthodox business owners attending the fair, the event served as a deliberate strategy to expand their client base past traditional community boundaries and historic industry lines. Nico Volckeryck, regional director for independent entrepreneurs organization NSZ, noted that while older generations relied heavily on the diamond trade, that sector has partly shifted toward Indian enterprises. Consequently, many Jewish Antwerp residents are establishing new ventures in general commerce, receiving guidance on taxation and regulatory compliance.

Joseph Goldenberg, co-owner of interior design firm Cozy Living for three years, pointed out that younger business owners recognize the necessity of reaching out to broader communities. Die denken soms dat we alleen maar actief zijn in de diamantsector, Goldenberg told gva.be, noting that members of his community possess capabilities across a much wider commercial spectrum.

Startups Seeking Wider Exposure

New enterprises used the floor space to introduce their services to the wider Belgian public. Dani Hoffman, 27, and Michael Cristal, 34, launched their window decoration partnership Vilooni last year. They chose to open their showroom on Lange Nieuwstraat in the city center rather than within the traditional Jewish neighborhood specifically to attract a diverse clientele.

Similarly, Ollech Mordechai, who operates EPC and asbestos certification firm Multi Check, estimated that roughly 40 percent of his current clients fall outside the Jewish community. He aims to grow that percentage further, noting that relying solely on one demographic is insufficient for sustainable enterprise.

Visitors from Outside Antwerp Praise Welcoming Atmosphere at Exhibition

Attendees from outside Antwerp expressed surprise at the demographic makeup of the exhibition. Birthe Melis, 32, and Bram Van Meulebroeck, 45, representing land surveying firm Plan² from Herentals, noted they initially attended simply to network with Antwerp businesses and observed that participants proved exceptionally open to collaboration.

Jesse Priem, 25, of recruitment agency Plus One HR in Lier, described a warm reception despite initial uncertainty. Organizers confirmed that the event will return for a subsequent, larger edition, with people from outside the Jewish community remaining welcome.