Thursday, May 8, 2008, Colony Club, New York City, NY. (Contact: tel: 212.838.4200 |212.838.4838) The Belgian- American Chamber of Commerce presented the first-ever "Peter Minuit Award" to F. Guillame Bastiaens ("Bassy"), Vice Chairman, Cargill. The award ceremony was held during the BACC Annual Welcome Dinner for American Investments in Belgium. Presenting the award to Mr. Bastiaens, known affectionately as "Bassy" by friends, supporters and admirers, on behalf of the BACC and FORTIS was Mr. Jean-Pierre Paulet, President of The The Belgian American Chamber of Commerce and Deputy CEO of Fortis. The Honorable Dominique Struye De Swielande, Belgian Ambassador to the U.S. also addressed guests to the gala dinner. A highlight of the evening was Belgian-American Singer Tony Sandler's personal homage to Guillaume. Named for Peter Minuit, the historical figure whom in 1626 became the first Belgian businessman in New York for purchasing Manhattan from the native Indians for $24 worth of trinkets, this award recognizes companies that are instrumental in forging positive trade and corporate relations between Belgium and the United States. Past honorees include notables such as Mr. Henry Kissinger, former U.S. Secretary of State, and Viscount Etienne Davignon, Minister of State, former European Commissioner and Vice Chairman of Suez Tractebel, Baron Georges Jacobs, Chairman of the Board of Directors of UCB and Karen Katen, Vice Chairman, Pfizer Inc. and President, Pfizer Human Health. This year, the BACC has chosen Mr. Guillaume Bastiaens to receive the award. In 1998, Mr. Bastiaens was appointed the Vice-Chairman of Cargill, one of the largest privately-owned family businesses in the world. Under his inspiring leadership, it has since grown into a formidable multinational brand and company within the industries of food, agricultural and risk management products and services. The Cargill Group employs more than 150,000 employees around the world, with more than 900 stationed in Belgium. "Through honoring U.S.-Belgian business success stories such as Mr. Bastiaens and his accomplishments, we hope to show the growth potential of investing in and trading with Belgium," states Jean-Pierre Paulet, President of BACC and Deputy CEO of Fortis Bank USA. "Belgium is and has always been the ideal European destination of choice for investors and at the The Belgian-American Chamber of Commerce, we are constantly finding new trade opportunities in Belgium to support and present to U.S. businesses." PHOTO CREDIT: ©Manhattan Society.com 2008 by Christopher London | e-mail: ChrisLondon@manhattansociety.com