Global Government Tenders

Most trusted source for Tendering Opportunities and Business Intelligence since 2002

Economy of Belgium and business opportunities

Economy of Belgium

The modern, private enterprise economy of Belgium has capitalised on its central geographic location, highly developed transport network, and diversified industrial and commercial base. The first country to undergo an industrial revolution on the continent of Europe in the early 19th century, Belgium developed an excellent transportation infrastructure of ports, canals, railways, and highways to integrate its industry with that of its neighbours. Industry is concentrated mainly in the populous Flanders in the north, around Brussels and in the two biggest Walloon cities, Liège and Charleroi, along the sillon industriel. Belgium imports raw materials and semi-finished goods that are further processed and re-exported. Except for its coal, which is no longer economical to exploit, Belgium has few natural resources other than fertile soils. Nonetheless, most traditional industrial sectors are represented in the economy, including steel, textiles, refining, chemicals, food processing, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, electronics, and machinery fabrication. Despite the heavy industrial component, services account for 74.9% of GDP, while agriculture accounts for only 1% of GDP.

With exports equivalent to over two-thirds of GNP, Belgium depends heavily on world trade. Belgium's trade advantages are derived from its central geographic location and a highly skilled, multilingual, and productive work force. One of the founding members of the European Community, Belgium strongly supports deepening the powers of the present-day European Union to integrate European economies further. About three-quarters of its trade is with other EU countries. Together with the Netherlands and Luxembourg, Belgium is also one of Benelux member states.

Belgium's public debt is about 105% of GDP. The government succeeded in balancing its budget during the 2000-2008 period, and income distribution is relatively equal. Belgium began circulating the euro currency in January 2002. Economic growth and foreign direct investment dropped in 2008. In 2009 Belgium suffered negative growth and increased unemployment, stemming from the worldwide banking crisis.

Trade

About 80% of Belgium's trade is with fellow EU member states. Given this high percentage, it seeks to diversify and expand trade opportunities with non-EU countries. The Belgian authorities are, as a rule, anti-protectionist and try to maintain a hospitable and open trade and investment climate. The European Commission negotiates on trade issues for all member states, which, in turn lessens bilateral trade disputes with Belgium.

The Belgian Government encourages new foreign investment as a means to promote employment. With regional devolution, Flanders, Brussels, and Wallonia are now courting potential foreign investors and offer a host of incentives and benefits. Foreign companies in Belgium account for approximately 11% of the total work force, with the U.S. share at about 5%. Attracted by the EU 1992 single-market program, many foreign firms and lawyers have settled in Brussels since 1989.



This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Economy Of Belgium"

Global Tenders has one of the largest database of international and national tenders/competitive bids, procurement news, project information, contract awards, related to Belgium from all over the world..

This section contains economy and business opportunities and from Belgium.
Belgium Economy Belgian Economy, business opportunities in Belgium.
Summary:
Precision Fruit Cultivation Database And Associated Gis Visualization Tools
Country:
Belgium
 
Notice Type:
Procurement Plan
Deadline:
29 May 2024
Posting Date:
04 May 2024
 
 
 
Summary:
Liière Massembre 2402 Project
Country:
Belgium
 
Notice Type:
Tender Notice
Deadline:
18 May 2024
Posting Date:
04 May 2024
 
 
 
Summary:
Transport Of People: Tec On Demand (Ath, Bastogne-Libramont)
Country:
Belgium
 
Notice Type:
Tender Notice
Deadline:
18 May 2024
Posting Date:
04 May 2024
 
 
 
Summary:
Framework Agreement Interior Cleaning Group Mechelen
Country:
Belgium
 
Notice Type:
Tender Notice
Deadline:
31 May 2024
Posting Date:
04 May 2024
 
 
 
Summary:
Open Call For Tenders Princesse Iv - Print-As-A-Service
Country:
Belgium
 
Notice Type:
Procurement Plan
Deadline:
03 May 2025
Posting Date:
04 May 2024
 
 
 
Summary:
Subsidized Free Kindergarten Pagadder - Suitability Works For Kindergarten Classes
Country:
Belgium
 
Notice Type:
Tender Notice
Deadline:
04 Jun 2024
Posting Date:
04 May 2024
 
 
 
Summary:
Construction Of A Nursery
Country:
Belgium
 
Notice Type:
Tender Notice
Deadline:
10 Jun 2024
Posting Date:
04 May 2024
 
 
 
Summary:
Construction Of A Nursery
Country:
Belgium
 
Notice Type:
Tender Notice
Deadline:
10 Jun 2024
Posting Date:
04 May 2024
 
 
 
Summary:
Maintenance And Repair Work On Gas And Oil Central Heating Installations And Hot Water Production In The Accommodation Of The Central Office For Social And Cultural Action Of The Ministry Of Defense In Tournai And Rumes
Country:
Belgium
 
Notice Type:
Tender Notice
Deadline:
27 May 2024
Posting Date:
04 May 2024
 
 
 
Summary:
Maintenance And Repair Work On Gas And Oil Central Heating Installations And Hot Water Production In The Accommodation Of The Central Office For Social And Cultural Action Of The Ministry Of Defense In Chièvres
Country:
Belgium
 
Notice Type:
Tender Notice
Deadline:
27 May 2024
Posting Date:
04 May 2024