Economic Overview
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Doing Business in Belgium – World Bank Group
http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/belgium
This economic profile presents the Doing Business indicators for Belgium. To allow useful comparison, it also provides data for other selected economies (comparator economies) for each indicator. The data in this report are current as of June
1, 2014 (except for the paying taxes indicators, which cover the period January–December 2013). -
Economy – Belgium Economy Profile
http://www.indexmundi.com/belgium/economy_profile.html
This modern, open, and private-enterprise-based economy has capitalized on its central geographic location, highly developed transport network, and diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is concentrated mainly in the more heavily-populated region of Flanders in the north.
Industry Trends & Business Climate
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Economy – Belgium in figures – Business.belgium.be
http://business.belgium.be/en/belgium_in_figures/statistics/economy/
Among the economic statistics published on the website of the Directorate-General for Statistics and Economic Information (ADSEI), the first two sub-topics are consumer prices and economic indicators.
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Key human capital trends in Belgium – PwC
http://www.pwc.be/en/news-publications/press/2015/2015-02-05-key-human-capital-trends-in-belgium.html
Every two years, Peter De Bley, Partner and Global HRM Consulting Leader, undertakes a study of global human capital trends. In the context of this study, PwC’s Belgian HRM consulting team takes a close look at the Belgian labour market, comparing it with the global findings.
Establishing a Presence
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Business Registration Requirements – Company number
http://business.belgium.be/en/managing_your_business/setting_up_your_business/main_steps/company_number/
Registering your business and obtaining your company number.
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Business Registration Requirements – FAQ – Belgian Chambers
http://www.belgianchambers.be/en/faq_90.aspx
Belgian Chamber of Commerce website for starting and registering a business in Belgium.
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Business Types – Types of company – Managing your business
http://business.belgium.be/en/managing_your_business/setting_up_your_business/company_types/
Are you looking to start a business, open a shop or found a charity? If so, in most cases you will need to set up a company (société/vennootschap). There are various types of company, each with its own distinguishing features. You will therefore need to consider
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Business Types – Belgium Guide: Starting a business, Types of companies
https://www.justlanded.com/english/Belgium/Belgium-Guide/Business/Starting-a-business
The main forms of companies in Belgium are: limited liability company, unlimited liability company, and sole proprietorship.
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Starting a Business in Belgium
http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/belgium/starting-a-business
Overview of Belgian Economy – This page summarizes Doing Business 2015 data for Belgium. The first section presents the Ease of Doing Business rank (out of 189 economies) and the distance to frontier (DTF)** measure, overall and by topic. The second section summarizes the key indicators for each topic benchmarked against regional averages.
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Setting up a business – Managing your business
http://business.belgium.be/en/managing_your_business/setting_up_your_business/
Setting up a business in Belgium from the Belgium Government’s official website.
Taxes
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Corporate Taxes – Belgium Corporate Tax Rate
http://www.tradingeconomics.com/belgium/corporate-tax-rate
Current and historical corporate tax rates in Belgium
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Corporate income tax – Taxation
http://ib.fgov.be/en/taxation/02/
Belgian has an intelligent tax regime for companies. For example the notional interest deduction, calculated on every company’s equity reduces substantially the effective tax rate (see below).
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Personal Income Taxes in Belgium: Filing your Belgian tax return
http://www.expatica.com/be/finance/tax/Taxes-in-Belgium_100073.html
If you’re living and working in Belgium, you will likely be subject to pay certain Belgian taxes and will need to file a Belgian tax return, although some exceptions exist for certain expats.
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Personal Income tax – Taxes – Portal Belgian Government
http://www.belgium.be/en/taxes/income_tax/
Belgium Government Tax Portal.
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VAT – Belgian VAT Desk – VAT in Belgium
http://www.vatdesk.be/content/view/53/62/lang,english/
The Value Added Tax (VAT) is named in Belgium Taxes sure la Valeur Ajoutée (TVA) or Belasting over de Toegevoegde Waarde (BTW) and has been introduced in Belgium since January 1st, 1971. The standard rate is 21%
Visas
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Travel Visas – Immigration Office
https://dofi.ibz.be/sites/dvzoe/EN/Pages/home.aspx
Visa information for tourists, students and business
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Work permit – Work – Portal Belgian Government
http://www.belgium.be/en/work/coming_to_work_in_belgium/work_permit/
Foreign workers who wish to work in Belgium as employees (i.e. working under an employment contract) must hold a work permit.
Infrastructure
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Telecom/IT – Belgian Institute for Postal services and Telecommunications
http://www.bipt.be/en
Belgian Institute for Postal services and Telecommunications
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Telecommunications in Belgium
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telecommunications_in_Belgium
Communications in Belgium are extensive and advanced.
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Transport in Belgium
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transport_in_Belgium
Transport in Belgium is facilitated with well-developed road, air, rail and water networks. The rail network has 2,950 km (1,830 mi) of electrified tracks
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Visit Belgium Transportation
http://www.visitbelgium.com/?page=transportation
Comprehensive website on travelling to and in Belgium.
Employer Obligations
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Labor Rules and Regulations – Labour laws
http://be.brussels/working-and-doing-business/labour-laws
Employers with employees working on Belgian territory must observe the working, pay and employment conditions provided for by law. All labour legislation applicable in Belgium (FR/NL) is published on the Federal Public Service Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue’s website (in French and Dutch).
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Labor Rules and Regulations – Employment legislation – Work – Portal Belgian Government
http://www.belgium.be/en/work/employment_legislation/
Belgian employment policy is based on consultation between the social partners. This kind of collaboration between employers and workers has resulted in a dynamic, flexible and protected workforce (Belgian workers enjoy excellent protection from unemployment and illness).
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Social Insurance – Belgium Guide: Unemployment Benefit
https://www.justlanded.com/english/Belgium/Belgium-Guide/Jobs/Unemployment-Benefit
Unemployment insurance is mandatory for all employees in Belgium, contributions are shared between employers and employees.
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Employer Obligations | Belgium
http://belgium.angloinfo.com/working/starting-a-business/employer-obligations/
Information on the obligations of the employer hiring workers in Belgium…The obligations when engaging staff are numerous.
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Social Insurance – Belgium Guide: Social Security
https://www.justlanded.com/english/Belgium/Belgium-Guide/Jobs/Social-Security
It covers family benefits, unemployment insurance, work accident insurance, health care, old age and invalidity pensions, and long-term care insurance.
Culture/Living
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Standard of Living – Belgium – OECD Better Life Index
http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/countries/belgium/
Belgium performs well in many measures of well-being relative to most other countries in the Better Life Index. Belgium ranks above the average in work-life balance, income and wealth, housing, civic engagement, education and skills, subjective well-being, health status, jobs and earnings, and social connections, but below average in personal security.
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Business Ettiquette – Belgium – Language, Culture, Customs and Business Etiquette
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/belgium-country-profile.html
Etiquette & Protocol Guidelines for Belgium
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Business etiquette in Belgium – Business Culture
http://businessculture.org/western-europe/business-culture-in-belgium/business-etiquette-in-belgium/
How important is the work-life balance for Belgians? How important is punctuality and timekeeping? How do Belgians value fairness in business? Although seemingly unimportant, the understanding of these issues may prove to be priceless when doing business.
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Climate of the World: Belgium
http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/reports/climate/Belgium.htm
Belgium has a temperate maritime climate influenced by the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean, with cool summers and moderate winters. Since the country is small there is little variation in climate from region to region, although the marine influences are less inland. Rainfall is distributed throughout the year with a dryer period from April to September.
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Standard of Living – Cost of Living in Belgium. Prices in Belgium
http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Belgium
Cost of living information includes price indices for rent, food, utilities, transportation, restaurants, clothing and more
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Education in Belgium | Education | Schools |
http://www.expatica.com/be/education/schools/Education-in-Belgium_100088.html
The state school system in Belgium can seem complex but there is a wide array of childcare and education facilities for expat families to consider.
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Holidays and observances in Belgium
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/belgium/
National holidays and observances
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Demographics Belgium Demographics Profile
http://www.indexmundi.com/belgium/demographics_profile.html
Demographic information includes population, quality of life, health, sports, technology, energy and the environment
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Climate and Weather in Belgium
http://www.belgium.net/belgium-guide/weather-and-climate.html
Whilst Belgium is a small country and the climate is considered to be generally temperate, the weather can change from day to day. It is heavily influenced by the Atlantic Ocean which brings the volume of air masses that cause the variability in the temperature and the weather.
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Safety – Belgium – US Department of State
http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country/belgium.html
US Department of State – Go to Safety and Security for updates from the Belgian government
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Safety – Staying Safe in Belgium | Frommer’s
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/belgium/353895
Belgium is generally safe — even the big cities are low-crime areas. However, Belgium has experienced a creeping spread of drug-related crime, and crimes committed by some poorly integrated members of immigrant communities. In Brussels, the Métro has been plagued by muggers, and though increased police presence and video surveillance have brought this under control….
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Education & Schools – The School System | Belgium
http://belgium.angloinfo.com/family/schooling-education/school-system/
Belgium’s wide array of childcare and education facilities eases working parents and international families. In keeping with the myriad levels of national and local bureaucracy in Belgium, the state school system can seem a minefield to newcomers trying to enroll their children. However, as Belgium is the capital of the EU, the education system is well developed to serve international and working families.
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Demographics – Population – Belgium in figures – Business.belgium.be
http://business.belgium.be/en/belgium_in_figures/statistics/population/
If you are looking for statistics about the Belgian population, this is where you will find the answers to your questions
Trade
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Import & Export – Belgium Trade, Exports and Imports
http://www.economywatch.com/world_economy/belgium/export-import.html
Being centrally located in the European continent, Belgium’s trade is the hallmark of all its activities. Belgium’s trade is further helped by its well developed transportation network, diversified commercial and industrial base.
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Trade Agreements – Common trade policy – Policy – Homepage
http://diplomatie.belgium.be/en/policy/european_union/belgium_and_the_eu/common_trade_policy/
Trade policy is the exclusive responsibility of the European Union. The European Commission, under the supervision of the Member States, plays a key role in trade negotiations. The Commission is the European Union’s sole representative and negotiator.
Housing and Rentals
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Renting a property in Belgium | Housing | Renting |
http://www.expatica.com/be/housing/renting/Renting-a-property-in-Belgium_100076.html
Both rents and property prices are relatively low in Belgium, being closer to those in Poland than the UK. Around 28 percent of Belgium homes are rented, with 19 percent through private landlords. On average, Belgians spend 25 percent of their annual income on accommodation.
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Immoweb: Belgium’s leading property website
http://www.immoweb.be/en/
Real estate for sale & for rent in Belgium (Brussels): Immoweb has more than 229067 real estate classifieds for an apartment, house, office, land, housing
Travel
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Visit Belgium Home
http://www.visitbelgium.com/
Belgium’s Official Travel Website: Why Belgium? Young and Hip