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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
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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
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, Anglo-Saxon and Latin => ideal business ethos and workforce. • Companies which reffered to Belgium as test market/invested in => good examples • 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 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
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