Transcript Dia 1

FLANDERS: A GATEWAY TO EUROPE
 A strong economy
 Supported by strong
infrastructure
 Excellent workforce
bilingual capacity
 Where businesses take
pride in quality
 Directly surrounded by
the largest EU markets
Antwerp
FLANDERS AND ANTWERP
Distance Antwerp
Amsterdam
161 km
London
337 km
Paris
340 km
Berlin
723 km
TRAVELING TIMES TO/FROM
Algemene voorstelling
Luc Luwel / 2 oktober 2008
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UNIQUE LOCATION AT EUROPEAN CROSSROADS
 60 % of EU purchasing power lies within 600 km => short
delivery & travel times.
 Proximity to European headquarters of major commercial &
official organisations => lobby activities.
 Open to different approaches due to being located
amongst three major cultures : German and Nordic, AngloSaxon and Latin => ideal business ethos and workforce.
 Companies which reffered to Belgium as test
market/invested in => good examples
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In the Life Sciences: Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Schering-Plough, AstraZeneca
In ICT: British Telecom, Philips, ST Microelectronics
In Chemicals: BASF, Bayer, Kaneka, Nippon Shokubai
In Food Products: Heinz, Procter & Gamble, Tropicana
In Logistics: Caterpillar Logistics, Deutsche Post, NYK
KEY FIGURES FOR FLANDERS
 Population: 6.1 million
(58%)
 Companies: 480,433 (66%)
 Employment:
2,000,000 salaried
 400,000 self-employed
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 Exports: €247 billion (81%)
IMPORTANCE OF FOREIGN TRADE FOR FLANDERS
EXPORT RATIO GDP (in %)
 Importance of foreign
trade for Flanders: export
ratio GDP 101%
 No. 9 export region in the
world
 Accounts for 3.11% of
world exports
THE ANTWERP-WAASLAND REGION =
KEY DRIVER OF THE FLEMISH ECONOMY
leading seaport
world wholesale
center of diamonds
petrochemical hub
MAJOR ECONOMIC ENGINE
 Of Belgium’s total GDP, region is good for 17% or €57.3 billion.
 The city employs more than one eighth of the population of
Flanders.
 Purchasing power parity is 34% above the E.U. average.
 Several universities, colleges and knowledge centers contribute to
Antwerp’s innovative business angle and talent base.
 Highly favorable economic climate for businesses from every
sector of the market.
THREE PILLARS OF COMPETITIVENESS
1. Port of Antwerp
 2nd largest in Europe, 5th in the World
 Fast growing logistic and distribution centre
 Largest storage supplier in Europe : 5.4 million m² of warehousing with
specialised handling and storage in “supermarket of Europe”
 Strong chemical and petrochemical sector
 Value of Maritime Trade:
178,2 million tons in 2010
 Employment (direct and indirect):
148,000 jobs
THREE PILLARS OF COMPETITIVENESS
2. Diamond
 1500 diamond firms and four diamond exchanges within an area
of less than 1km2.
 80% of the world’s rough diamond trade.
 Represents nearly 15% of Flemish
foreign trade (exports and imports).
 Diversification: jewellery confection
and trade.
Three Pillars of Competitiveness
THREE PILLARS OF COMPETITIVENESS
3. Petrochemical industry
 Second largest petrochemical network
in the world after Houston
 22% share of foreign trade
of the region
 Employment (direct and indirect):
66,000 jobs
 Increasing importance:
+4.4% growth per year