Survey shows fewer investors interested in Belgium

Interest in investing in Belgium has fallen to its lowest level since 2005, according to a survey by consulting firm EY (formerly Ernst & Young). From a survey of 200 international investors, only 33% – versus 62% in 2011 – expressed interest in investing in Belgium. Just one in five plans to start or expand operations in Belgium in the next year.

The gloomy new ‘Barometer of Belgian attractiveness' is in line with the declining trend of previous years. Moreover, 10% of the respondents said they planned to move their business activities outside of Belgium within the next three years, 2% more than last year.

Divided into regions, foreign investors did indicate Brussels as having the highest chance (38%) of attracting investors, followed closely by Flanders (34%), while Wallonia lags behind (11%).

EY added that the survey respondents are most concerned about Belgium’s "high labour costs, skyrocketing fiscal pressures and poor mobility”. Belgium is redeemed, however, by strengths such as location, diversity, employee training, stable economic environment and a good-sized market.