ABLCC | Resources: Belgium & Luxembourg - ABLCC | Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce

H.E. Dr. Raoul Delcorde, Ambassador & Director MENA – Ministry of Foreign Affairs Belgium

BELGIUM

Located in the heart of Europe, with its international institutions (EU, NATO, Benelux, WCO), its three ports on the North Sea coast (Antwerp, Ghent, Zeebrugge) and five airports (Brussels, Charleroi, Liege, Oostende, Antwerp), the Kingdom of Belgium enjoys a very comfortable position in the international economic ecosystem. It is also a logistic hub and a gateway to 500M European consumers.

The country consists in a federation of three autonomous regions: Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels-Capital. Each of them is responsible for its international economic development and has its own foreign trade agency, namely Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT), Wallonia Export & Investment (AWEX) and Brussels Invest & Export (hub.brussels). Additionally, the Belgian Foreign Trade Agency (ABH-ACE) plays a role at the national level, being responsible for the promotion of exports and the collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FPS Foreign Affairs).

Exports amount to 85% of the Belgian GDP, making Belgium the 10^th largest exporting country in the world, despite its relatively small territory. Likewise, in terms of per capita numbers, the total exchanges between the Arab countries and Belgium was higher in 2018 than those with Germany, France, and the UK all together.

Capital: Brussels

Population/Surface: 11.5 million / 30 500 km²

Official languages: Dutch, French, German

GDP per capita: 52 063 USD

Real GDP Growth: -6.3%

Imports of goods & services: 80.1% of GDP

Exports of goods & services: 80.6% of GDP

Outward FDI Stocks: 612 188 million USD (2019)

Inward FDI Stocks: 489 054 million USD (2019)

Key industries: Metal, Machinery & Equipment - Chemicals & Plastics – Diamond – Services (Engineering, ICT, Aeronautic & Space, Construction)

More indicators: OECD (2020)

LUXEMBOURG

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is one of the smallest member states of the European Union but has one of the highest real GDP per capita in the world. Neighboured by Belgium, France and Germany and well connected to the rest of Europe, the country allows you to reach 60% of the rest of Europe within one trucking day.

The promotion of Luxembourg economy and international prospection is led by Luxembourg Trade & Invest (chaired by the Minister of the Economy), in collaboration with the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce.

Luxembourg imports a large part of its consumer goods but exports most of its industrial products. Luxembourg is also known for its competitive economy (11^th in the world) and its highly skilled and talented multilingual work force.

Mr. Carlo Thelen, Director General - Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce

Capital: Luxembourg

Population: 630 thousand

Surface: 2 586 km²

Official languages: Luxembourgish, French, German

GDP per capita: 118 726 USD

Real GDP Growth: -1.8 %

Imports of goods & services: 171.6% of GDP

Exports of goods & services: 204.7% of GDP

Outward FDI stocks: 887 068 million USD

Inward FDI stocks: 627 381 million USD

Key Industries: Services (Finance & Banking, Construction, Engineering, ICT), Metal, Automotive

More indicators: OECD (2020)

Our Services

LEGALIZATION OF COMMERCIAL DOCUMENTS

The ABLCC constitutes an important link in the certification procedure of your commercial documents destined for the Arab world.

VISA SERVICE & REGISTRATION OF DOCUMENTS FOR SAUDI ARABIA

The ABLCC is delighted to provide a visa service to persons legally residing in Belgium or Luxembourg who want to undertake business travels to, or work in, Saudi Arabia.

TRANSLATION SERVICE

The ABLCC Translation Unit provides high quality translations from and to Arabic, French, Dutch and English. Our translators are officially qualified and have a long-standing experience.

FACILITATION OF BUSINESS COOPERATION

Looking for business contacts in the Arab world? The ABLCC is your first point of contact! Over the years, the ABLCC has managed to develop a strong network in the Arab world on all levels.

SETTLEMENT OF COMMERCIAL DISPUTES

The ABLCC is glad to assist its members in solving commercial disputes. Count on us to help gather complex information, propose and prepare various methods for dispute settlement and refer you to the appropriate legal advisors.

MEMBERSHIP

Become a member and join the vibrant business community standing at the helm of Arab-Belgium-Luxembourg trade and investment relations.

BECOME A MEMBER

LATEST PUBLICATIONS

BOARD MESSAGE

“The ABLCC is a 40 years old joint enterprise dedicated to bringing together the Arab and Belgian-Luxembourg business communities. Be sure that for the last decades the ABLCC has been bending into backwards to open new ways of trade and economic cooperation between the two worlds it represents and we are very proud to be involved in such a mission. All this has been possible thanks to the intensive collaboration between the Chamber and its public and private partners, as much in Belgium and Luxembourg as well as in the Middle East and North Africa. ”

– Johan Beerlandt - Chairman
& Qaisar Hijazin - Secretary General