Belgium borders on the three main European cultures: Germanic, Anglo-Saxon and Latin. Although it has been a centre for trade and civilisation for centuries, Belgium only became a nation in 1830. The Head of state is King Albert II and the head of the Federal Government is Yves Leterme, the Prime Minister.


» A federal state made of three regions

Belgium is a federal state. Power is divided between the Federal government, the regional governments of Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels; and the three communities or language groups.  The federal system combines three levels of power that are strictly autonomous. Each Region is responsible for economic development, infrastructure and the environment. The Flemish, French and the German speaking communities are each responsible for culture, education and health care.


Brussels is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. The Brussels-Capital Region is one of Belgium's three regions, but it is also a city with 19 communes, 162 Km2 and 1 million inhabitants. It is officially bilingual (French and Dutch), although it has an astonishing variety of cultures, styles and nationalities.


» Economic performance

Belgium is part of Eurozone, with an average growth in GNP of 2.1% over the past ten years, compared with an EU average of 2.0%. GNP per person is 25.500, while inflation has average just 1.9% over the same period, compared with an EU average of 2.8%.

When considering investment in a country, it's overall economic performance and economic policy are of enormous importance. Nowadays Belgium’s economy is more oriented towards services and high value-added production. The manufacturing sector still remains an important strategic feature to the city’s economy. The Brussels Region has 30 industrial zones and 4 science parks. The capital boasts a highly diversified industrial sector, particularly in the following sectors: metal fabricating, mechanics, electronics, information technologies, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food processing, printing and publishing. 

In the metal products sector the companies in Brussels  are active in a wide range of areas, such as automotive production, equipment and tool supply for various industrial applications, electronics, automation and precision industries for the aerospace.

The Brussels Capital Region has a number of export industries, including pharmaceuticals, chemicals, transport equipment and plastics. Exports represent 76% of GDP, as opposed to an EU average of 32%. As a result of federalisation, each region now has its own export authority, which can build on local strengths. The Brussels Capital Region accounts for nearly 9% of all exports from Belgium, and if services are included, the total rises to 18%.

Services are of vital importance to the Belgian economy. In fact the country’s tertiary sector supplies around two-thirds of the employment and a similar percentage of economic activity.