Invest in Brussels
Brussels is an international city like no other. As the decision-making heart of Europe, it has become an international capital, where worldwide opinion leaders meet to influence and do business, meanwhile it remains small enough to allow its inhabitants to enjoy all the advantages of a human size city.
Brussels is the place to be for anyone who wants to run a business on a pan-European level, at a reasonable cost.
Decision-making center
Brussels, as the decision-making heart of Europe, is the place to be for anyone that wants to have an influence on the running of the continent, or establish direct contact with the institutions of the EU. Increasingly, the seat of power is moving to the capital of the European Union and away from the national seats of government: anyone who realises this must also realise that it is far more advantageous as a business to be close to the centre of the Union than far from it.
Brussels is the Headquarters of the European Commission, the European Council, the European Parliament, the Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee. The city also plays host to NATO and more than 120 international government organizations and approximately 1,400 non-governmental organizations. With 159 embassies and 2,500 diplomats Brussels ranks second in the world in terms of diplomatic representations. Thus, the weight of Brussels is not just confined to European affairs. The city has a wider impact on the world at large that makes it extremely attractive to do business.
Cosmopolitan gateway
Brussels has a highly cosmopolitan and multilingual population. It is, in fact, the second most important location for large-scale business events in the world. Any individual or business looking to hold an event here will be catered for: language is not a barrier in the capital of Europe. Of course, services can be provided in English, French, Dutch, German or Spanish without any problem. However, dig a little deeper and there are substantial reserves of speakers of every major European language: Italian, Polish, Czech, Greek, Estonian… even Maltese.
Belgium is the most strategically located country in Europe. For anyone trying to reach a consumer market of over 500 million people, Brussels is the city of choice. It’s world class infrastructure and extensive transport links make it the place to do business in Belgium. Access to markets is a prime consideration for any company. In that respect, Brussels holds all the trump cards.
Infrastructure is Crucial
An export oriented economy, like that of Belgium, requires a world class transportation infrastructure. Belgian’s modern system of road, rail, air and marine transport makes the country the ideal gateway for commercial traffic in Europe. Underpinned by a world class tertiary sector and a strong manufacturing industry that exports around the world, Belgium is the location of choice for any business seeking to reach the European consumer.
The Ideal Test Market
Located on the boundary of the Latin cultures of southern Europe and the Germanic cultures of northern Europe, Belgium is the perfect location to determine if a product or service will be attractive to the European consumer. Most major international companies choose Belgium when they are testing a new idea or product on the continent.