Inversió estrangera directa (IED) a Bèlgica

The Belgian economy has traditionally been characterised by high foreign direct investment (FDI). According to the 2023 World Investment Report published by UNCTAD, FDI inflows were negative by USD 1.7 billion in 2022 (compared with USD 11.5 billion a year earlier). Similarly, FDI stocks fell slightly to almost USD 523.8 billion, from USD 555.7 billion the previous year. The main investing countries remain France, the U.S., Germany, the United Kingdom and Italy (by ultimate investing country - data OECD). Investments continue to be mainly oriented towards financial and insurance activities, manufacturing, professional, scientific and technical services, and administrative and support service activities. According to the latest data from OECD, FDI inflows were negative by USD 165 million in the first half of 2023, compared to -6.4 billion recorded in the same period one year earlier. In October 2023, Toyota Motor Europe announced that it would be investing EUR 1.3 billion to expand its manufacturing plant in Ghent, Belgium. Other important investment projects announced in 2023 include a new chip manufacturing plant in Liège (with AMD investing EUR 2.25 billion) and the expansion of Bosch’s manufacturing plant in Tienen (EUR 1 billion).

Belgium's investment attractiveness can be attributed to its strategic geographic position at the crossroads of the main European markets, the quality of transport, logistics and telecommunications infrastructure, its trade specialised in semi-processed and semi-finished goods, a multilingual and qualified labour force and high levels of purchasing power. The stability of society, the quality of the labour and the infrastructures have been attracting projects. There are currently no limits on foreign ownership or control in Belgium and there are no distinctions between Belgian and foreign companies. However, starting from July 1, 2023, the new Belgian foreign investment screening rules came into effect. Any deals signed from this date onward must undergo mandatory pre-closing notification to the Belgian Inter-federal Screening Commission (ISC). The regulations apply to transactions where a foreign investor gains 'control' over a Belgian strategic entity or acquires voting rights (10% or 25%, based on the sector) in such an entity. The notification thresholds vary based on the sector involved, including health, energy, transport, artificial intelligence, the aerospace industry, media, biotech, etc. Finally, Belgium ranked 18th out of 82 countries in terms of business environment in the latest Economist Business Environment ranking; recording the same position in the Corruption Perception Index. The country also ranks 23rd among the 132 economies on the Global Innovation Index 2023 and 46th out of 184 on the 2023 Index of Economic Freedom.