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 Guy Verhofstadt, 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.
Central location at the heart of Europe
Brussels is a hub of International business where entrepreneurs can find an ideal location with outstanding infrastructures to develop their business activities.
Access to markets is a prime consideration for any company looking for a new location. Brussels holds all the trump cards:
With a strategic location and excellent market accessibility, from Brussels you are able to reach a consumer market of 450 million Europeans.
Within a radius of 300 miles (the equivalent of 1 hour flight), from Brussels you may reach 75% of the European purchasing power.
Being the capital of an expanding Europe, Brussels is an international city like no other. 30% of the population is of foreign origin, and this gives a unique atmosphere in which cultures mix and flow easily amongst one another.
There is a plethora of organisations, associations, clubs and societies designed for expatriates, as one will see whenever one opens one of the many Belgian anglophone magazines or newspapers. There are also many public bodies designed for newcomers.
