Ride the Storm: Navigating Through Unstable Periods / Katerina Rudko (Belka G...
NB Trade Days - Belgium - BCBC - 2015-06-02
1.
2. Belgium: Key facts
• Central location to a 500M
consumer market (75% of EU GDP)
• Brussels is considered the de facto
capital of the European Union
• European Commission, European Parliament, European Council
• Sophisticated and integrated
transportation network
• Educated and skilled workforce
• French and English widely spoken
• High quality of life
• Stable and supportive government
2
3. Why Belgium?
• Open economy
• Central access to large,
lucrative EU marketplace
• Welcoming regulatory
environment
• Competitive tax regime
3
• Streamlined business establishment - 1st in EU
• Large expat community
• Strong education and healthcare systems
• Successful test in Belgium = successful test in
Europe
4. Competitive Tax Regime
4
Fiscal Ruling
Principle
The investor describes the facts to the tax administration,
allowing him to know, in advance, how the tax laws are to
be applied on a case by case basis
Consequences
• Confidence to invest
• Legally binding & accurate forecast
Scope of applications Corporate tax, individuals tax, customs, VAT, etc.
Notional Interest Deduction
Principle
Consequences
Companies are allowed to deduct a fictitious interest
calculated on the basis of their shareholders equity
Reduced effective tax rate
5. 5
Canadian Companies in Belgium
Major Industries in Belgium
-Automotive
-Chemicals & Plastics
-Environmental &
-Food & Lifestyle
-ICT
-Life Sciences & Biotech
-LogisticsClean Tech
6. Agence wallonne à l’Exportation et aux Investissements étrangers (AWEX)
Daniel De Patoul
1250, René-Levesque Ouest – Bureau 4115, Montréal, QC H3B 4W8
www.awex-montreal.com – montreal@awex-wallonia.com
T : 1-514-939-4049 - F : 1-514-939-3949
Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT)
Mieke Pynnaert
999, Maisonneuve Ouest – Bureau 1600, Montréal, QC H3A 3L4
www.investinflanders.com - montreal@fitagency.com
T : +1-514-289-9955 - F : +1-514-289-9474
Brussels Invest & Export (BIE)
Gilles Brédas
1010, Sherbrooke Ouest – Bureau 2404, Montréal, QC H3A 2R7
www.brussels-in-canada.com – montreal@brusselsinvestexport.com
T : 1-514-286-1581 - F : +1-514-286-1567
Belgian Canadian Business Chamber (BCBC)
André van der Heyden
161, Bay St., 27th Fl. – PO Box 508, Toronto, ON M5J 2S1
www.belgiumconnect.com – info@belgiumconnect.com
T : 1-416-816-9154
Belgian Business Resources
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Chamber of Commerce Canada-Belgium-Luxembourg (CanCham BeLux)
Mihaela Bucuroiu
500, Ave. Louise, Brussels B-1050, Belgium
www.canchambelux.org – office@cccbl.org
T : +32-2-644-9044 - F : +32-70-42-5492
Federal Public Service Economy, SMEs, Self-employed & Energy (FPS)
The Liaison Cel
50, Rue du Progrès – City Atrium C, Brussels B-1020, Belgium
www. economie.fgov.be – info.eco@economie.fgov.be
T : +32-2-277-5111 - F : +32-2-277-5021
Editor's Notes
Belgium is centrally located in Europe, putting it within easy reach of a marketplace of more than half a billion people
Brussels, the capital is perhaps the most important city within the European Union, and considered its capital. Brussels also is the seat of various major European political and trade organizations.
And Belgium accounts for 75% of EU GDP.
major The country has a sophisticated and integrated transportation system including seaports, highways, rail and air, creating connections with the majors economies of Europe
The country has an educated and highly productive workforce and French and English are both widely spoken. In terms of productivity, Belgian workers trail only Luxemburg
For those looking to locate to Belgium, the quality of life continually ranks amongst the highest in Europe. Belgium has a rich cultural history and despite being one of Europe’s wealthier regions, it is one of the more reasonable places to live in terms of cost of living.
Finally, the Belgian government is very supportive of business, and they do not make a distinction between domestic and foreign owned businesses.
Belgium’s offering is straight forward.
It is an open economy with few barriers for foreign companies.
It has a welcoming regulatory environment and an extremely competitive effect corporate tax structure.
The government has several programs and initiatives in place to support business and trade.
It's easier to establish a business in Belgium than anywhere in the EU. It can be done online in just 4 days.
And Belgium has a large expatriate community and has developed strong Education and Healthcare systems
Finally, Belgium is at the centre of it all – it’s easy to get imports into the country and then into the rest of Europe because of the highly integrated transportation system that puts half a billion potential customers within a four-hour drive.
Belgium’s offering is straight forward.
It is an open economy with few barriers for foreign companies.
It has a welcoming regulatory environment and an extremely competitive effect corporate tax structure.
The government has several programs and initiatives in place to support business and trade.
It's easier to establish a business in Belgium than anywhere in the EU. It can be done online in just 4 days.
And Belgium has a large expatriate community and has developed strong Education and Healthcare systems
Finally, Belgium is at the centre of it all – it’s easy to get imports into the country and then into the rest of Europe because of the highly integrated transportation system that puts half a billion potential customers within a four-hour drive.
