Belgium

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Central business district, Brussels

Belgium is a truly international business location, located within a 375-mile radius of 70% of the 270 million EU inhabitants. The capital, Brussels, is home to the European Commission and, part of the year, the European Parliament, making a total more than 25 working languages spoken within the city. The economy is sophisticated and mature, with GDP growth slow but steady at some 1.3% last year. A high standard of living, an excellent education system, good access to the extensive and wealthy North European markets, and a supportive and pro-business environment are all strong points in Belgium’s favor.

FDI Patterns

Belgium is the US’s ninth-largest business partner, and the 12th-largest economy worldwide – no small achievement in a country with a population of some 10 million. It has had some success in attracting FDI, with the US being the major investor, responsible for some 29% of FDI projects. Other major interests include Germany, France, Japan and, to a lesser extent, the UK. Together, these five countries are responsible for two-thirds of all FDI projects in Belgium.

Belgium at a glance

• Strategic location, centrally situated in the heart of Europe;
• At the forefront of political and economic activity;
• State-of-the-art telecommunications systems: access the entire world in seconds;
• Internationalized and leading the world in per capita exports;
• Multi-lingual in every sector, and supported by a committed labor force reputed for high productivity;
• Technologically advanced and financially stimulated, with expansive support systems readily available, Belgium is poised for new investment;
• In the centre of the EU 27, with a population of nearly half a billion;
• Innovative taxation measures: under “notional interest deduction”, companies will be able to deduct from their taxable income an amount equal to the interest they would have paid on their capital in the case of longterm debt financing.

from belgium to the world

With exports accounting for more than 74% of its Gross Domestic Product, Belgium is one of the highest per capita exporters in the world. Belgium itself may be a relatively small market, albeit a wealthy one, but it is positioned between France and Germany, two of the largest markets in Europe, and has an important role to play as a transit corridor. There are several sea ports in Belgium, the largest being Antwerp, one of the largest ports in Europe, which accounts for two-thirds of total port throughput in the country.

From here, rail and road transport reaches into the heart of Europe, while outbound ships run on major liner routes linking the Baltic States, the US and the Far East.

Promoting US investment

An excellent road infrastructure connects Belgium with a wider market place

AmCham Belgium actively promotes increased US investment in Belgium and is concerned with matters affecting the Belgian investment climate. To achieve this goal, AmCham produces annual updates of its Foreign Investors’ Agenda. The latest update was released in November 2006 with the Chamber’s top recommendations for making the business environment increasingly attractive to investors.

AmCham Belgium services are geared towards helping members doing business in Belgium. The services fall into three main activity areas:

• Lobbying – representing members’ business interests to help shape policies and offering authoritative viewpoints to build understanding among authorities;
• Networking – organizing a broad selection of compelling events that add value both on a personal and a professional level;
• Knowledge Sharing – presenting highquality information to the business and government community; raising the profile of AmCham and increasing its visibility.

AmCham Belgium was founded in 1948 by a handful of leading multinationals to strengthen commercial links between Belgium and the US. Today, the Chamber represents more than 600 companies from all sectors. Membership is open to all companies and individuals that subscribe to the charter. AmCham Belgium is an autonomous organization that receives no subsidies from any government body. It relies exclusively on income from membership dues to provide its services.

Contact Information

American Chamber of Commerce in Belgium
Rue du Commerce 39-41
Box 50
1000 Brussels
Tel: +32 2513 6770
E-mail: gchamber@amcham.be
Website: www.amcham.be

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