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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 TRAVELING TIMES TO/FROM Algemene voorstelling Luc Luwel / 2 oktober 2008 3 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 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 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