VBO estimates 2pc growth in economy

11 December 2003

BRUSSELS – Employers’ organisation VBO expects Belgium’s economy to grow by 2 percent next year, it announced Thursday.

Belgium is set to profit from a recovery in the international economy according to VBO, but it is not certain however that Europe’s economy will follow the global trend.

The strong euro is making European exports more expensive, while companies are increasingly moving their activities to lower-wage countries outside the EU.

VBO conceded that finding suitable labour, especially for blue-collar work, remains a difficult task despite high unemployment figures across the country.

Subject: Belgian news