Belgium

Belgium’s strongly globalized economy and its transportation infrastructure are integrated with the rest of Europe. Its location at the heart of a highly industrialized region helps made it 2007 the world’s 15th largest trading nation.The economy is characterized by a highly productive work force, high GNP and high exports per capita. Belgium’s main imports are food products, machinery, rough diamonds, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, clothing and accessories, and textiles. Its main exports are automobiles, food products, iron and steel, finished diamonds, textiles, plastics, petroleum products and nonferrous metals. The Belgian economy is heavily service-oriented and shows a dual nature: a dynamic Flemish economy and a Walloon economy that lags behind. One of the founding members of the European Union, Belgium strongly supports an open economy and the extension of the powers of EU institutions to integrate member economies. Since 1922, Belgium and Luxembourg have been a single trade market within a customs and currency union: the Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union.

Demographic Data

Economic Data

Cultural & Other Data

GDP (PPP, $bn)

390.5

Capital

Brussels

Area (sq. km.)

30,528

GDP Real

Growth (%)

1.3

Primary Language

Dutch, French

Population (million)

10.4

PerCap GDP ($)

37,500

2nd Language

German

Population

Growth %

0.094

Prime Lending

Rate (%)

2.1

Urban

Population %

97

% Population

Under 15yrs

16.1

Inflation Rate%

4.5

Urban Growth %

0.3

Population below

poverty line (%)

15.2

Unemployment%

6.5

Literacy

(% of population)

99

Agricultural Workers

(% of population)

2

Foreign Direct

Investment($bn)

733.9

Education spending

as % of GDP

6

Industrial Workers

(% of population)

25

Debt-External

($bn)

1,313

CPI Score (1-10)*

7.3

Service Workers

(% of population)

73

Exports ($bn)

372.9

Corporate Income Tax %

33.99

Labor Force (mil)

4.99

Imports ($bn)

375.2

Ease of Doing

Business Ranking **

19

Franchising Laws Overview

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Relationship laws:

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Registration laws:

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