External competitiveness

Within the context of globalisation which characterises our market economy, the competitiveness of our businesses is largely influenced by the international environment. For their own development and profitability, it is vital that from now on Belgian companies follow the changes in external markets closely.

Though the accelerated globalisation of the economy and the emergence of new Asian economic powers such as China and India were often dreaded, they also offer business and investment opportunities for our companies. It would therefore be useful to understand them and position our companies within a context of healthy international competition.

Ensuring an efficient international positioning of the Belgian economy

Structuring communication with federations, diplomatic officials and other stakeholders

Ensuring an efficient international positioning of the Belgian economy

Gaining market shares in international trade is a challenge for the Belgian economy. From now on, the FPS Economy will help ensure that Belgian companies are defended optimally on an international level. To that end, it is drawing up an up-to-date inventory of international regulations within its area of expertise. It is also compiling an inventory of international bodies in which the presence of its representatives is required in order to provide critical analysis of their priorities and operations.

The FPS Economy’s international priorities include: trade negotiations at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), management of trade policy instruments, signing bilateral agreements (ASEAN, MERCOSUR, etc.), work carried out at the OECD and NATO projects with significant economic impact, without forgetting its responsibilities to the Benelux area. Finally, when it comes to the protection of intellectual property and energy rights, the FPS Economy intends to continue to promote the economic interests of Belgium in corresponding international institutions.

Structuring communication with federations, diplomatic officials and other stakeholders

As part of its work in developing knowledge of the functioning mechanisms of the globalised market, the FPS Economy intends to continually identify the opportunities and problems encountered by companies active on an international level. Given the multiple relations it maintains with companies throughout their life cycle, the FPS Economy has what it takes to structure communication with these contacts in the form of “sector desks”, thereby serving as the ultimate federal economic contact point for companies and their representatives (federations).

In addition to its efforts on behalf of bilateral relations, the FPS Economy will develop in the same way its relations with diplomatic posts in order to understand the requests and needs of business and industry in different regions of the world. The FPS Economy will take advantage of the showcasing opportunities provided by international exhibitions as well as business and economic missions to promote Belgium's attractiveness to foreign investors. All of these contacts will also help contribute to a better understanding of policies on attracting foreign investments to Belgium, in particular within the CIS by carefully thinking about strategic investments carried out in our country by foreign companies which are partially held by public funds.