Belgium
Chambre de Commerce - Fiche d'information pays Dernière mise à jour: 20.09.2018
Vos conseillers à la Chambre de Commerce
Claudine Otto+3227375734
Diana Rutledge+3227375714
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. In recent years, political divisions between the Dutch-speaking Flemish of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy. The capital city of Brussels is home to numerous international organizations including the EU and NATO.
Source: The CIA World Factbook - Belgium
Indicateurs macroéconomiques
Economic growth is projected to continue at 1.7% in 2018 and 2019. Domestic demand will be an important driver of growth, thanks notably to further declines in unemployment. Growth in 2018 will be supported by strong government and private investment. Inflation will ease in 2018 as past pressures dissipate and electricity prices are reduced.
Public debt is projected to decline in 2018 and 2019, despite planned reductions in labour taxation. Re-orientating public spending towards education and transport infrastructure investment to relieve bottlenecks, as well as strengthening competition in various professions and making it easier to start a business, would enhance productivity and inclusiveness. Raising skills and work opportunities for disadvantaged groups is also key to make growth more inclusive.
Source: OECD - Economic Forecast
IMF Statistics:
Subject descriptor 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Gross domestic product, constant prices 1.295 1.374 1.445 1.367 1.388 Gross domestic product, current prices 532.079 454.288 470.179 488.694 505.629 Gross domestic product per capita, current prices 47,490.112 40,528.933 41,491.123 42,661.808 43,671.086 Inflation, average consumer prices 0.490 0.620 2.076 1.615 1.742 Volume of imports of goods and services 2.595 0.900 3.081 4.123 3.394 Volume of exports of goods and services 2.026 1.955 3.080 3.889 3.393 Unemployment rate 8.550 8.500 8.384 8.315 8.245 Current account balance -1.147 -0.155 0.585 1.946 4.428 Current account balance -0.216 -0.034 0.124 0.398 0.876
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 01.01.1972 (Memorial 1971, A no.64, p.1763)
- Effective as of 01.01.1973 (Memorial 1971, A no.64, p.1763)
- Avenant from 11.12.2002 (Memorial 2003, A no.195, p.4070)
- Effective as of 01.01.2005 (Memorial 2003, A no.195, p.4070)
- Avenant from 16.07.2009 (Memorial 2010, A no.51, p.913)
- Effective as of 01.01.2014 (Memorial 2010, A no.51, p.913)
Air Services agreement
None
Source: Administration des contributions directes
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: Mrs Arlette CONZEMIUS
75, avenue Cortenbergh
B-1000 Brussels
Tel.: (+32 -2) 737 57 00
Fax: (+32 -2) 737 57 10
E-mail: bruxelles.amb(at)mae.etat.lu
General Consul in Brussels: Mrs Laure HUBERTY
75, Avenue de Cortenbergh
B-1000 Bruxelles
Tel.: (+32 -2) 737 57 06
Fax.: (+32 -2) 737 57 09
E-mail: Bruxelles.Consulat(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
Tel.: +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: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg
Economic and Commercial Attaché in charge of Belgium
Mrs Claudine OTTO
Luxembourg Embassy in Belgium
75, Avenue Cortenbergh
B-1000 Brussels
Tel: (+32) 2 737 57 34
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
- The CIA World Factbook - Belgium
- Business Club Belgium-Luxembourg
- Belgique sur le site du l'AWEX
- fit.be
- investinbrussels.com
- belgianchambers.be
La Chambre de Commerce et le pays
Evénements à venir
Evénements passés
- 15.11.2018
Conférence IGR - Initiatives pour la Grande Région: Entre visions et reflets, quo vadis Grande Région?
- 17.10.2018
BCBL Delegation Visit to Luxembourg: House of Startups & RTL
- 21.06.2018 - 22.06.2018
The Greater Region goes digital
- 28.05.2018
SpaceResources.lu: paving the way to new opportunities in space
- 05.10.2017
Visit to Flanders Make in Lommel