Doing Business in Belgium - RSM International

The other forms of art are of course well represented through numerous theatres,
ballet and opera companies and concert halls where events like the famous Queen
Elizabeth competition are held.
Charleroi is also culturally rich with Charleroi dance and other initiatives. Ideally
located in Southern Belgium and at the very heart of Northern Europe, Mons marks
the centre point between Paris and Amsterdam. Nominated as 2015 European Capital
of Culture, Mons, a town overflowing with cultural heritage, is planning on using new
technology to ensure its future. Mons, the city where technology stands side by side
with culture!
Your European facility in Belgium
Being the fatherland of Toots Thielemans, Django Reinhardt and Jacques Brel,
Belgium truly is a musical hub.
Numerous clubs and bars offer concerts and jam sessions in various styles
throughout the whole year while festivals take place during summer (Rock Werchter,
Francopholies de Spa…). Worth mentioning are famous cartoon characters like Tintin
and the Smurfs.
As a dynamic country, Belgium offers a wide variety of sport and recreational facilities.
There are a great number of excellent public golf courses, indoor and outdoor tennis
courts, bowling alleys and innumerable swimming pools and basketball courts. All
parts of the country have sports halls and grounds. Soccer and cycling are particularly
popular here. From squash to mountain bike, from skiing to windsurfing, from the
forests of Ardennes to the shores of Flanders, Belgian sports run the course.
Gourmets claim that Belgium has more two and three stars restaurants per square
kilometre than any other country. Belgians love to eat and they love to eat well. So it
is not surprising that the country has an abundance of restaurants. Belgian cuisine
features a number of delicacies, and experimentation is encouraged. Every town has
developed its own traditions and culinary specialities in the course of the centuries.
Belgium is famous for its wide variety of beers – more than 500 to choose from – and
its delicious chocolates.
The country is also rich in foreign cuisine. Whether your preference ranges from
French to Italian or Asian to American, it is all served beautifully in Belgium. Being in
Belgium means savouring the fine things in life.
7.1.5. Other reasons to invest in Belgium
Set up a company in just three days
It is the intention of the Belgian authorities to make it possible to set up a company
in just three days to complete all the formalities and to get your business up and
running.
• Day 1 – the Bank: open a bank account and deposit the minimum start-up capital;
• Day 2 – the Notary: use e-deposit to draw up deed of incorporation and articles of
association (you will be assigned a unique ‘enterprise number’, registered with the
Central Database of Enterprises and registered with the clerk of the Commercial
Court, and your documents will be published in the Belgian Official Gazette);
• Day 3 – the business one-stop shop: your enterprise number is activated.
Transport and logistics
Belgium has advanced infrastructure: air, road, rail, ports (Antwerp is one of the
largest ports in the world and offers ultra-competitive handling costs), etc.
Rulings
With the tax ruling investors know within three months exactly how much tax they
will have to pay in Belgium, allowing them to calculate their return on investment.
Research & Development
Collabourative ventures between businesses and universities are pursued in
technological research, industrial research and other areas. Companies can also
receive public financing for their own research projects.
Skilled workforce, lower labour costs
The public authorities are reducing labour costs through pro-business measures. On
top of that, the Belgian workforce is highly skilled, multilingual and competitive.
Tax incentives for energy-saving investments
Rational use of energy, efforts to conserve water and natural resources, and so on.
Sites and real estate
It is not always easy to find the right place in a country to set up operations. Investors
are directed towards specific sites and the type of real estate they are looking for.
European subsidies
The European Commission encourages joint ventures between SMEs and foreign
partners by awarding subsidies through various programmes (JEV, ECIP, JOP).
7.2. Tax-Related Incentives for investors in Belgium
7.2.1. Expatriate tax incentives
In order to reduce the employment cost for foreign expatriates, thereby encouraging
multinational companies to transfer their employees to Belgium, the Belgian tax
authorities introduced a special tax regime for executives and specialists in 1983.
Provided that both the employer and the employee meet the qualifying conditions
for the special tax regime, certain beneficial tax rules will apply.
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DOING BUSINESS IN BELGIUM
DOING BUSINESS IN BELGIUM
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