Through necessity or through tradition, Belgium is a country open to the outside world, in terms of imports and exports alike, and its foreign trade figures demonstrate the significant position held by the Belgian market in world trade

Belgium has a long tradition of partnerships with Africa, a tradition for which it has reserved a specific and privileged place.

A small country in terms of its surface area and the number of its inhabitants, Belgium, which has practically no raw materials or energy products, is characterised by :

• Its geographic position at the heart of Europe
• Its exceptional communications network
• Its successful and ever-evolving processing industry
• Its wide range of well-adapted services
• its reputation for quality and know-how, the "Made in Belgium" factor

Belgium is a federal kingdom with three regions : Brussels , Flanders and Wallonia. The main headquarters of the European Union and NATO are based in Brussels, the capital. Hundreds of international institutions and organisations recognise the international vocation of Brussels.

Regarding shipping, Belgium has three major ports: Antwerp, Zeebrugge and Ghent, constituting the highest concentration of sea ports in Europe. The Brussels/Zaventem international airport is classified as one of Europe's main airports.

In parallel to the banking and finance sector, which plays an essential role in the country's economy, the tertiary sector has also significantly developed. Services have truly become the backbone of the Belgian economy and contribute substantially to the improvement of the balance of payments.

In the industrial sector - besides the steel industry, the primary processing of steel and non-ferrous metals - the manufacturing of metal, mechanics, electrical equipment and plastics lies at the forefront of the country's industrial activities.

Belgium has always been very active and at the leading edge of progress in research and manufacturing associated with the electronics, information technologies and communications sectors.

In the field of transport equipment, Belgium owes its renown to naval construction, equipment for railways and tramways, automobiles, cycles, and aeronautical construction.

The chemical industry is one of the flagships of the Belgian economy, with its petrochemical plants, refineries and rubber industries, and the processing of these into more elaborate products : paint, varnish, ink, fertiliser, soap, perfumery and pharmaceutical products.

The glass industry - especially flat glass - makes Belgium the number two producer in Europe.

Construction techniques, architectural design and the quality of finish form the basis of the export success of Belgian construction and civil engineering companies.

It has a significant textile industry (90% is exported) and Belgium is the biggest exporter of rugs and carpets in the world. However, its strength also resides in the variety of its products with a range extending from household and soft furnishing fabrics to household linen, and fabrics for clothing to technical textiles.

The food and drinks industry offers high quality products. For instance, chocolate, beer, and cookies, all of which have already earned their reputations. The quality of its agricultural products is equally well known and has made Belgium a gastronomic crossroads in Europe.

Finally, thanks to its location and its unique infrastructure, Antwerp is the main diamond centre in the world, with more than 1,500 diamond dealers and its four diamond exchanges.