TRADE & INVESTMENT
Investing in Belgium
Top 10 reasons to invest in Belgium
1. Economic location: at the center of a large and prosperous EU customer base
2. Access to European centers of decision making
3. A tradition of trade: more than 85% of Belgian GDP exported
4. One of the most popular destinations for foreign investment
5. Access to high quality labor force
6. A center of knowledge
7. Modern & efficient business infrastructure
8. Low real estate costs
9. High quality of life
10. Attractive tax regime
Click here
to see a powerpoint presentation why investing in Belgium is now more
attractive than ever.
How we can assist you
The Investment Office at the Embassy is the federal point of
contact and 'help desk' for US companies considering setting up
operations in Belgium as part of their European expansion plans.
To this effect, the Office
• assists investors with relevant information on the taxation,
legal, human resources, incentive and business aspects of their
investment plans
• prepares programs of contacts in Belgium
• provides general and tailor-made information on aspects about
the Belgian investment climate, upon request and through
publications as ‘Fact Sheets from Belgium’ , ‘Business Memo’ and
‘Setting Up in Belgium’
The office works in close cooperation with the Belgian Consulates
General, and the Regional Investment Offices of Brussels, Flanders
and Wallonia in the U.S.
Setting up your business in Belgium
To request a free hard copy:
Phone (202) 625-5810
Fax (202)625-7567
E-mail Bart.Deelen@diplobel.fed.be
Pocket Guide to Investing in Belgium
Setting Up in Belgium
(Acrobat
PDF file) a pocket guide with answers to frequently asked
questions about establishing a business in Belgium.
Investment Fact Sheets for US investors
- --Setting up your Company
Basic information on the steps to set up your business
-
Belgium: a Federal
Country -- basic information about the business climate in Belgium, the structure
of the Belgian government, federal and regional competences, investment
incentives and contacts in the U.S.
-
Labor Costs in Belgium --
a fact sheet outlining expenses for labor,
social security and other overhead costs and describing labor
incentives.
-
Business Opportunities in
the Biotech. Industry -- a fact sheet describing Belgium's tradition
of innovation and levels of current biotech activity, as well as the
favorable business environment for biotech companies.
- Opportunities in the Pharmaceutical
Industry -- a fact sheet describing the many reasons why the
pharmaceutical industry is one of the leading sectors in the Belgian
economy.
- Immigration Procedures
-- a fact sheet giving an overview of the relevant visa
and work permit regulations for US citizens who want to set up a
business in Belgium.
- Moving to Belgium for
Investment -- gives an overview of the simplified visa and immigration procedure
which could apply to major US investors.
-
Business Infrastructure
-- a fact sheet outlining Belgium's central location and its assets in
the areas of transportation and telecommuniction, real estate, labor
force, and financial instruments.
- Taxation
-- a fact sheet which outlines the recent reform of the corporate
taxation regime in Belgium.
-
Financing
Your Company
-- gives an overview of the financial sector in Belgium and funding
opportunities for your company.
- Labor law
-- Outlines the basic regulatory issues with regard to employing
personnel in Belgium.
- R&D
-- Outlines the framework for R&D activities and policies in Belgium.
US investments in Belgium
• Total Investment by U.S. companies in Belgium in 2008: over $
4.1 billion
• Total Investment Historically (2008): $ 65 billion (more than Brazil, China and India).
• In 2008, U.S. companies accounted for 27 % of all foreign investment projects
in Belgium, more than companies from any other country.
• Proportionally most of the U.S. investment in Belgium is in finance and
insurance companies (except banks), chemical manufacturing, wholesale trade
, services, and non-bank holdings.
• Investments in finance and insurance are the fastest growing sector of US direct investment.
• Some 1200 U.S. companies are located in Belgium, employing approximately 130.000
people. U.S. affiliates are the second most important foreign employer in Belgium.
Most of the employment is in motor vehicles, chemicals, wholesale trade, pharmaceuticals and machinery.
U.S. foreign direct investment in Belgium
+ U.S affiliates in Belgium represent:
• 5.3% of GDP, 3.0% of total employment (130,000 jobs)
• 11.3% of total assets, 11.2 % of sales
• 14% of R&D expenditures, 15% of exports
+ U.S. affiliates are the second most important foreign
employer in Belgium.
+ In the chemical sector, U.S. affiliates represent one
third of value added, 27% of total employment.
+ In the pharmaceutical sector, U.S. affiliates represent
51% of value added, 45% of total employment.
+ U.S. manufacturing firms control about 30% of total assets
of Belgian high-tech manufacturing, generated 44% of its
added value, and created 24% of its employment .
(AMCHAM Belgium, US Direct Investment in Belgium 2008 Report).
Overview of U.S. Corporations in Belgium
More than 1500 subsidiaries of U.S. companies have been
established in Belgium, many of them with European headquaters.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Belgium has released the
latest edition of its annual directory of US companies.
Copies of the directory can be ordered from the Chamber at the
following address: American Chamber of
Commerce in Belgium
rue du Commerce 41 - Handelsstraat 41
1000 Brussels
tel. (011 322) 513-6770
fax (011-322) 513-3590
visit www.amcham.be for more
information.Contacts
Embassy of Belgium and
Consulates
| Washington, DC |
Mr. Bart Deelen
Business Development Manager
Embassy of Belgium
3330 Garfield St., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
Tel.: (202) 625-5810
Fax: (202) 625-7567
E-Mail: Bart.Deelen@diplobel.fed.be |
| Los Angeles |
Mr. Geert Criel
Consul General of Belgium
6100 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1200
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Tel.: (323) 857-1244
Fax: (323) 936-2564
E-Mail: LosAngeles@diplobel.org |
| New York |
Mr. Herman Portocarero
Consul General of Belgium
ITT Building
1065 Avenue of the Americas, 22nd floor
New York, NY 10019-5422
Tel.: (212) 586-5110
Fax: (212) 582-9657
E-Mail: NewYork@diplobel.org |
Flanders
Investment and Trade
http://www.investinflanders.com
| Chicago Office
|
150 Wacker Drive, Suite 2100
Chicago, IL 60606
Tel: 312 251-0622
Fax: 312 251-0624
E-Mail: Chicago@fitagency.com
|
| Los Angeles Office |
6100 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1200
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Tel: 323-857-0842
Fax: 323-938-4024
E-Mail:
losangeles@fitagency.com |
| New York Office |
New York Times Building
620 8th Avenue, 44th floor
New York, NY 10018
Tel: 212-664-0930
Fax: 212-664-0944
E-Mail:
newyork@fitagency.com |
| Atlanta Office |
Peachtree Center North Tower, Suite 810
235, Peachtree Street, NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
Tel: 404-659-9611
Fax: 404-659-9461
E-Mail:
atlanta@fitagency.com |
Wallonia Export & Investment Agency (AWEX)
Wallonia Export & Investment Agency (AWEX)
www.investinwallonia.be
| Chicago Office
|
Mr. Jean-Pierre Vasaune
Director Business Development-North America
333 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 905
Chicago, IL 60601-4186
Tel.: (312) 357-6349
Fax: (312) 357-6407
E-Mail: Jpvasaune@ewallonia.com |
| San
Francisco Office |
155 Montgomery Street, Suite 207
San Francisco, CA 94104
Tel.:(415) 391-3111
Fax: (415) 391-3116
E-Mail:
christine@belgiantrade.org |
Brussels Capital-Region
Brussels Capital Region
www.investinbrussels.com
| New York
|
Mr. Luc Lippens
Economic and Commercial Representation of the
Brussels-Capital Region
1065 Avenue of the Americas, 22nd floor
New York, NY 10019-5422
Tel.: (212) 399-8522
Fax: (212) 399-8517
E-Mail: Brusselsusa@msn.com |
Service for Foreign Investments
Service for Foreign Investments
Federal Public Service Economy, Energy, SME’s and Self-Employed
www.investinbelgium.fgov.be
|
