Belgium
Chambre de Commerce - Fiche d'information pays Dernière mise à jour: 20.10.2017

Vos conseillers à la Chambre de Commerce
- Christophe Hansen+3227375700
- Niels Dickens+352423939371
Introduction
Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830; it was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. The country prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. Political divisions between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led in recent years to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy. Its capital, Brussels, is home to numerous international organizations including the EU and NATO.
Source: The CIA World Factbook - Belgium
Indicateurs macroéconomiques
Economic growth will slow down in 2016 as fiscal consolidation and wage moderation curb private consumption. In addition, the terrorist attacks in Brussels and Paris in winter have reduced activity, for example in the tourism and restaurant sectors. Activity will gradually accelerate and become more broad-based as firms’ profit margins improve and better financial conditions boost investment. A reform that shifted taxes from earned income to other bases will reduce labour costs and so raise employment. Exports will strengthen as growth picks up in Europe. Inflation will continue to increase, following the rise of indirect taxes in 2016 and as economic slack shrinks.
The commitment to reach a balanced budget in structural terms by 2018 is welcome given the high public debt. However, the automatic stabilisers should be allowed to operate. Fiscal savings can be reached by improving spending efficiency. Better integration of migrants in the labour market and further strengthening the activation of seniors would make growth more inclusive and sustainable.
The decline in labour productivity growth has been more pronounced than in other OECD countries. Promoting ICT industries, improving regulation in network industries and reducing barriers to entrepreneurship could strengthen productivity growth.
Source: OECD - Economic Forecast
IMF Statistics:
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Source: IMF Statistics - Belgium
Le Luxembourg et le pays
Existing conventions and agreements
Non double taxation agreement
In order to promote international economic and financial relations in the interest of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Luxembourg government negotiates bilateral agreements for the avoidance of double taxation and prevent fiscal evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and on fortune with third countries.
- Convention from 17.09.1970 (Memorial 1971, A, p. 1763 )
- Effective as of 30.12.1972 (Memorial 1973, A, p. 86)
- Amendment to the Convention from 11.12.2002 (Memorial 2003, A, no. 195, pp.. 4070 )
- Effective as of 20.12.2004 (Memorial 2005, A, no. 21, p. 432)
- Amendment to the Convention and Exchange of letters from 07.16.2009
- Act from 31.3.2010 (Memorial 2010, A, no. 51, p. 830 )
- Not in force yet
Air Services agreement
None
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg
Plus d'informations
Foreign Trade
The Statec Foreign Trade statistics provide information on the trade of goods - by product and by country. This information is collected respectively through the INTRASTAT declaration and on the basis of customs documents.
You can see the statistics on the website of the Statec.
Contact points in Belgium
Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in Belgium
Ambassador:
Ms. Arlette CONZEMIUS
75, avenue Cortenbergh
B-1000 Brussels
Tel: +32 2 737 57 00 / +32 2 737 0006 57
Fax: +32 2 737 57 10 (Embassy) / +32 2 737 57 09 (Consulate General)
E-mail: bruxelles.amb(at)mae.etat.lu
Honorary Consuls
Honorary Consul with jurisdiction over the Province of Namur: Mrs. Elisabeth de PITTEURS de BUDINGEN
15, Pommelée Vache
B-5080 La Bruyere
Tel: +32 81 51 28 51
Fax: +32 81 51 28 51
Honorary Consul with jurisdiction over the province of Liège:
Pr.Dr. Robert Ferdinand DONDELINGER
7, rue des Poètes
B-4121 Neuville en Condroz
Tel: +32 4 372 02 51 (Consulate)
Fax: +32 4 372 00 77 (Consulate)
Tel: +32 4 366 72 59 (office)
E-mail: rdondelinger(at)chu.ulg.ac.be
Honorary Consul with jurisdiction over the East Flanders: Mr. Paul VERSTRAETEN
Nijverheidskaai 4
9040 Sint-Amandsberg
Tél.: +32 9 228 07 27
Fax.: +32 9 219 93 58
Email: bk315191(at)skynet.be
Honorary Consul with jurisdiction over the West Flanders: Mr.Frank DECEUNINCK
Leopold II laan 14
B-8400 Oostende
Tel: +32 59 70 09 12
Fax: +32 59 80 49 69
E-mail: frank.deceuninck(at)defiac.be
Honorary Consul with jurisdiction over the Province of Antwerp: Mr. Laurent NOESEN
Bredastraat 153
B-2060 Antwerp
Tel: +32 3202 09 20
Fax: +32 3202 09 25
E-mail: mail(at)noesen.be
Source: www.awex.be
Country risk as defined by Office du Ducroire for Belgium
Ducroire is the only credit insurer covering open account deals in over 200 countries. A rating on a scale from 1 to 7 shows the intensity of the political risk. Category 1 comprises countries with the lowest political risk and category 7 countries with the highest. Macroeconomics experts also assess the repayment climate for all buyers in a country.
Link: Ducroire Office - Country Risk for Belgium
Other useful links
- Business Club Belgium-Luxembourg
- www.awex.be
- www.fit.be
- www.investinbrussels.com
- www.belgianchambers.be
- Wallonie-Bruxelles International
La Chambre de Commerce et le pays
Evénements à venir
- 28.05.2018
SpaceResources.lu: paving the way to new opportunities in space
- 21.06.2018 - 22.06.2018
The Greater Region goes digital
- 18.09.2018
Journée d'Opportunités d'Affaires : Belgique
- 07.11.2018
Conférence IGR - Initiatives pour la Grande Région: Entre visions et reflets, quo vadis Grande Région?
Evénements passés
- 05.10.2017
Visit to Flanders Make in Lommel
- 21.06.2017
Journée LëtzBiz - Circular, le 21 juin 2017 à la Chambre de Commerce
- 31.03.2017
Journée d'Opportunités d'Affaires : Belgique
- 23.11.2016 - 25.11.2016
Mission économique en Flandres du 23 au 25 novembre 2016
- 07.11.2016
Cycle de conférences IGR - Entre visions & reflets, quo vadis Grande Région ?