Guests Countries and Regions 2008
Wallonia (Belgium), at the heart of Europe
« Wallonia at the Heart of Europe » may sound like a gimmick, yet, it is a geographic reality. With its 16,844 km², Wallonia, located in the Southern part of Belgium between the Netherlands, Germany, Luxemburg, France and Flanders, is the largest region in the country.
With 842 km of motorway, Wallonia provides optimal connections to Antwerp and Brussels, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany and France. This is enough motorways to reach a population of 58.8 million inhabitants in just 4 hours. Furthermore, a large slice of Western Europe is accessible within a mere day’s drive. Home to 370 million consumers, and embracing twenty major cities, this area; which is known by some as the "European banana," stretches from England in the North to Spain in the South.
The region's rail network also benefits from this strategic location. Four major European network rail lines serve Wallonia, carrying 14 million tons of freight each year, providing work for 3,700 people. High-speed trains will soon also play a role in the transportation of commercial goods in the region. Planned developments include work on a high-speed train link between Brussels and the German border. With the high-speed section between Louvain and Liège already operational, this work is scheduled to be completed in 2006.
In terms of size, the “Port Autonome de Liège” (PAL) is the second largest inland port in Europe, ahead of Duisburg and just before Paris. In 2004, it handled 23 million tons, all modes of transport combined. Thanks to its strategic location, right at the heart of the Rhine-Escaut-Meuse basin, its direct access to the world's largest port centre (Antwerp-Rotterdam, Gent, Zeebruge) has undoubtedly played an important role in the development of the port. A number of current and forthcoming investment projects are designed to modernize the port's infrastructure.
Last but not least, Liege airport, the 8th leading freight airport in Europe, handled 420,000 tons of freight in 2005. The infrastructure at this regional airport allows it to accommodate major carriers serving Europe, Asia and Africa. It operates 24hrs/day, has its own Customs service, as well as a certified veterinary care unit.
A little bit of history
At the end of the 19th Century, Belgium consisted of two very different worlds and cultural identities. One the one side was Flanders steeped in a tradition of agriculture and, on the other, the area of Wallonia enjoying prosperity due to the industrial revolution. Separatist factions began to appear and Europe’s most prosperous country after Great Britain became engulfed in an atmosphere of tensions between the two communities. Tensions remain until the 1960s, when government reform is set into motion. Belgium is politically remodeled: it becomes a central government with four linguistic regions (French speaking, Dutch speaking, German speaking and the bilingual region of Brussels-Capital), and three Cultural Communities (French, Flemish and German). By the 1980s, the region of Wallonia had its own government, parliament, budget and numerous core competencies (economic, social, R&D…).
From prosperous industry to clusters
Renowned for its coal and steel, Wallonia has experienced strong industrial growth since the Middle Ages. For many years, heavy industry was the driving force behind the region's economy. Indeed, Wallonia was the birthplace of the industrial revolution on continental Europe.
The two World Wars of the 20th Century put a stop to Wallonia’s expansion. Wallonia struggled for a few decades in order to revamp its traditional industries like steel, glass and textiles before dedicating itself to fostering a focus on the development of highly technical industries.
Centers of Expertise
Three years ago, Wallonia developed a plan intended to bolster the region’s economy. Referred to as the Marshall Plan, it identifies 5 sectors in which Wallonia is and can become especially competitive: Life Sciences, Agribusiness, Mechanical Engineering, Transport & Logistics, and Aerospace & Aeronautics. The region dedicated €1.5
billion of funding to support the development of these 5 Centers of Expertise.
The Marshall Plan recognizes the importance of attracting and consequently supporting foreign investors. In light of this, the government has enlisted 5 industry specialists, each one dedicated to one area of expertise. The specialists are charged with identifying and developing industry trends and beset practices in order to best support the needs of existing and potential Foreign Investors.
International activity is an essential component of Wallonia’s economic performance. As its name suggests, the Walloon Export and Foreign Investment Agency, assists Walloon companies to export their products all over the world. At the same time, the agency is dedicated to making Wallonia attractive for foreign investors as outlined in these “10 Good Reasons to Invest in Wallonia:”
- « Set up where the heart of Europe beats strongest »: Nestled between Paris, Amsterdam, London and Frankfurt; Wallonia is the real heart of Europe and in the immediate vicinity Brussels, home to the EU, NATO and the European Headquarters of over 1700 multinational Corporations and institutions.
- « Reach 65% of the European Market in a few hours »: The European Market is yours in Wallonia. Your supply chain is supported by an excellent communications network and simplified by a high level, multimodal transportation platform at the doorstep of Germany, The Netherlands and France.
- « Grow on Favorable Ground »: Large spaces and building ready for immediate occupancy await you in Wallonie. Ideally located and fully equipped, available at a cost that is among the lowest in Europe (130 business parks available starting at €8/sq. meter).
- « Blossom with innovation »: With 9 universities, 300 research centers, 11 000 researchers and 20 centers of excellence ; Wallonia has all the right ingredients to help business bloom.
- « Succeed : Work is a major winner »: Productivity is among the highest in the world, and worker – employer relations are exemplary (the number of non worked days due to labor disputes are well below the European average). Wallonia is a multicultural, and therefore, multilingual community which is reflected in its highly skilled workforce.
- « Take advantage of smart corporate taxation »: In Wallonia, business can take advantage of corporate taxation that is among the most competitive in Europe. This applies not only to business, but also expats. 7.
- « Benefit from financial incentives and access to capital »: This corporate mindset is accompanied by considerable financial assistance at all stages of a company’s development. Its privileged access to capital makes Wallonia one of the most attractive regions in Europe.
- « Trade – Wallonia, a region naturally open to the world »: Due to its openness, modern infrastructure, and the quality of its products, Wallonia continuously increases commercial trade with its neighbors, near and far.
- « Support. The competitiveness of business is priceless »: Competitiveness is a priority in Wallonia. In a serene social climate, government fosters this through sizable investments and support.
- « Relax. Nature, culture and leisure »: Wallonia reveals its charms through its friendliness, its age old traditions, sense of welcoming and relaxation. Beyond the obvious, it is easy to find spacious accommodations, accessible schools and a remarkable health and social system.
Investors are taking notice of Wallonia. In recent months, Johnson & Johnson has set up its European Distribution Center for Medical Devices here. Google is building the largest European data center in the region, and FedEx is slated to build its headquarters for Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent.
Contact :
Wallonia Foreign Trade and Investment Agency
Avenue du Bourgmestre Jean Materne, 115-117
B-5100 Namur
Tél: +32(0)81/33.28.50.
Fax: +32(0)81/33.28.69.
www.investinwallonia.be
Other links
www.awex.wallonie.be
http://www.wallonie.be/en/index.html
