# ![](media/image1.jpeg){width="0.89375in" height="0.94375in"}   Doing Business in Belgium: 2008 Country Commercial Guide for U.S. Companies

# INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT, U.S. & FOREIGN COMMERCIAL SERVICE AND U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, 2008. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES.

-   [Chapter 1: Doing Business In Belgium](#ch1)

-   [Chapter 2: Political and Economic Environment](#ch2)

-   [Chapter 3: Selling U.S. Products and Services](#ch3)

-   [Chapter 4: Leading Sectors for U.S. Export and Investment](#ch4)

-   [Chapter 5: Trade Regulations and Standards](#ch5)

-   [Chapter 6: Investment Climate](#ch6)

-   [Chapter 7: Trade and Project Financing](#ch7)

-   [Chapter 8: Business Travel](#ch8)

-   [Chapter 9: Contacts, Market Research and Trade Events](#ch9)

-   [Chapter 10: Guide to Our Services](#ch10)

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contents](#doing-business-in-belgium-2008-country-commercial-guide-for-u.s.-companies)

# Chapter 1: Doing Business In Belgium

-   [Market Overview](#market-overview-return-to-top)

-   [Market Challenges](#market-challenges-return-to-top)

-   [Market Opportunities](#market-opportunities-return-to-top)

-   [Market Entry Strategy](#market-entry-strategy-return-to-top)

## Market Overview [**Return to top**](#ch1)

Belgium's population of approximately 10.3 million people is heavily
reliant on trade. The country boasts tremendous infrastructure and is
regarded as an ideal hub for transit and distribution. The cosmopolitan
and international nature of Belgium also makes it an ideal European test
market for American products and services. The Belgian market is small
enough that a huge European-wide commitment to a new product is not
necessary, yet it is diverse and competitive enough that it offers a
representative sample of potential European and multinational
competitors. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD), Belgium's GDP in 2006 grew by 2.9% over the previous
year (to \$367.8 billion), whereas the Euro area grew by 2.6%. In 2007,
it grew by 2.6% (to \$438.5 billion), exactly the same rate as for the
overall European Union (EU) area. In 2006, imports of goods and services
grew by 3.0% and Belgium became the 11^th^ largest trading partner of
the U.S., accounting for \$21.3 billion of U.S. exports (up 14% from
2005). Belgium's exports to the U.S. grew by 4.7% in 2007; imports from
the U.S. grew by 5.6%. The capital, Brussels, is home to the
headquarters of the EU and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), as
well as hundreds of international institutions, associations and
multinational corporations.

## Market Challenges [**Return to top**](#ch1) 

Although growth has slightly outpaced the euro area average since 2002,
and the economy reached an annual rate of 3% year-on-year growth in
2006, there are signs that some production factors are under strain.
According to the OECD's *Economic Survey of Belgium 2007*, capacity
utilization is approaching historic highs and an increasing number of
firms are reporting problems in finding and hiring qualified workers. A
continuing increase in productivity and a greater flexibility in wages,
will be essential to bolster Belgium's long-term growth prospects. The
persistence of high unemployment, despite greater job creation, suggests
that labor market reform will continue to be high on its policy agenda.
The Belgian government has been aware of the need for reforms and its
actions have produced results: for example, consistently balanced
budgets have led to a sharp reduction in public debt relative to GDP;
and the increase in job creation has been accompanied by higher labor
market participation rates, especially among older workers. The
government has also focused its national reform program on key
priorities intended to achieve long-term sustainable growth prospects,
such as creating a more dynamic labor market, consolidating the budget,
securing the future of the welfare system and protecting the
environment. It is expected that the government will continue to pursue
economic reforms.

## Market Opportunities [**Return to top**](#ch1)

The leading Belgian commercial sectors for U.S. export and investment
are: biotechnology, dental equipment and products, medical waste
disposal and treatment, energy, chemicals and plastic materials, port
and airport security, travel and tourism (from Belgium to the U.S.), air
conditioning and heating equipment, audio-visual equipment, storage area
networks (SAN), franchising and solid waste disposal and treatment.

## Market Entry Strategy [**Return to top**](#ch1)

U.S. exporters can penetrate the Belgian market through
importers/distributors, wholesalers or specialized retailers, depending
on their products and their company size. Interested U.S. exporters will
have to focus on innovation, quality and competitive pricing, despite
the high transportation costs they will encounter.

In support of U.S. commercial interests in Belgium, the U.S. Embassy in
Brussels uses the combined resources of the various U.S. Government
agencies to promote exports of U.S. goods and services. It also supplies
information on trade and investment opportunities and serves as and
advocate for U.S. firms. For specific requests, firms can contact the
applicable Commercial Specialist at the U.S. Embassy in Brussels for
counseling and market entry strategies tailored to their products and
services (see: [www.buyusa.gov/belgium](http://www.buyusa.gov/belgium)).

[Return to table of
contents](#doing-business-in-belgium-2008-country-commercial-guide-for-u.s.-companies)

# Chapter 2: Political and Economic Environment

For background information on the political and economic environment of
the country, please click on the link below to the U.S. Department of
State Background Notes.

<http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2874.htm>

[Return to table of
contents](#doing-business-in-belgium-2008-country-commercial-guide-for-u.s.-companies)