Business leaders hail PM’s US visit a success

23 January 2006

BRUSSELS – Business leaders have hailed the Belgian Prime Minister’s visit to the USA a resounding success.

On Monday, it was reported that the trip by Guy Verhofstadt and Finance Minister Didier Reynders, together with private consultants, had already yielded results.

The Federation of Belgian Businesses FEB told the daily Le Soir that the new policy of fixed deductions for personal wealth – which the PM has promoted in the States – had already put Belgium back on the shortlist of those countries considered by both Belgian and foreign investors.

During their five-day visit, which finished on Saturday, the PM’s team has explained the new fiscal incentive to American bosses, business lawyers, accountants and portfolio managers.

Above all, said Belgian consultants, the visit had served to retain existing American investment.

On Friday, in Chicago, the US firm Tupperware Brands Corporation announced USD 20 million (EUR 16 million) in new investment at its factory in Aalst in Flanders.

The company is to create a centre of excellence to develop moulds for new types of Tupperware.

That announcement came after pharmaceutical company Johnson&Johnson pledged to inject an extra EUR 100 million in Belgium this year and US IT company EMC promised to set up a research centre in Mechelen together with French telecoms firm Alcatel, Belgian security specialist Ubizen and Flemish research institute IBBT.

[Copyright Expatica News 2006]

Subject: Belgian news