Belgians shop across the border 05/09/2007 00:00

Belgians have been spending almost 50 percent more in shops across the border

Since the eco tax was implemented in 2003 Belgians have been spending almost 50 percent more in shops across the border, tempted by the lower prices of mineral water and lemonade in France.

De Morgen reports this on Wednesday citing the federation of distributors, Fedis, as their source.

Every year almost 1.1 million Belgians (one in four families) reportedly do their shopping across the border. In total Belgians would annually spend EUR 477 million in cross border shopping, according to Fedis. In 2002, the year before the eco tax was introduced, the amount was EUR 323 million.

Fedis has estimated that due to the implementation of eco tax, 2,200 jobs have been lost in the distribution and production sector . To Fedis this is unacceptable and it wants to file a complaint with the European Commission.

[Copyright Expatica News 2007]

Subject: Belgian news