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AmCham Belgium issues call to action

11:09 29/05/2013

The American Chamber of Commerce in Belgium this morning released its 2013 Priorities for a Prosperous Belgium. This annual publication, which lays out the Chamber’s policy recommendations for the Belgian Government, takes on a renewed sense of urgency as Belgium enters the next electoral cycle. "With elections called for May 2014 – less than one year from today – the time to act is now," said Marcel Claes, Chief Executive of AmCham Belgium. "We cannot afford another prolonged period of uncertainty, which will only undermine the fragile economic recovery and erode investor confidence."

The 2013 Priorities for a Prosperous Belgium contains six concrete recommendations intended to boost competitiveness, simplify administrative procedures and create a more predictable business environment. The recommendations fall under four main themes: labour market, corporate taxation, research & development and energy.

“We return to these themes time and time again, because they are what is needed to spur growth and investment, and businesses have not seen the kind of decisive, bold and courageous reforms that Belgium so urgently needs to become more competitive,” said Scott Beardsley, President of AmCham Belgium.

Ultimately, these policy recommendations are about growth and jobs. With over 130,000 employees, US companies are important to Belgium, but that position is at risk. AmCham Belgium calls on the Belgian Government and the political parties to act on these recommendations as the country heads into the 2014 elections.

Written by The Bulletin