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Belgium - DOING BUSINESS


Local business incentives


Belgium is divided into three regions, Brussels, Flemish and Wallonia. Granted aids depend and vary according to the company, the sector and the chosen region. To find out about these aids, the Service of Foreign Investors of the Ministry of Economics should be contacted.
Investment incentives are also decribed by the OFI (Office for foreign investors) in Wallonia and the FFIO in Flanders.


Legal forms of companies


Form Number of partners/shareholders Minimum and/or maximum capital Liability Registration fee Release of financial documents
Besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid (BVBA / SPRL) is a Private Limited Company.   Minimum 2 partners
: 1 person for the sole proprietorship.  
18,550 € entirely subscribed and released up to minimum 6,200 €.   Partners' liability is limited to the amount contributed.   0.5% of the subscribed capital.   No  
Naamloze vennootschap (NV / SA) or Societ? Anonyme is a Public Limited Company.   Minimum 2 shareholders.   61,500 € totally subscribed and released.   Partners' liability is limited to the amount contributed.   0.5% of the subscribed capital.   Yes  
Vennootschap Onder Firma (VO / SNC) or Societ? en Nom Collectif is a general partnership.   Minimum 2 partners.   No minimum capital.   Partners' liability is joint and several.     No  
CV / SCS (Commanditaire Vernootschap) or Societ? en Commandite is a limited partnership.   Two types of partners: active partners and sleeping partners.   No minimum capital.   Active partners' liability is joint and several, while the sleeping partners are liable for debts until the amount of the sum contributed.     No  
The co-operative company (SC) with unlimited and joint liability (SCRIS) or cooperative gathers a group of companies.   Maximum 3 partners.   No minimum capital.   Partners' liability is joint and unlimited on their whole personal assets.   0.5% of the subscribed capital.   No  
The co-operative company with limited liability (SCRL) or Cooperative ? responsabilit? limitee is similar to the BVBA / SPRL.   Maximum 3 partners.   18,550 € released up to BEF 6,200 €.   Partners' liability is limited to the amount contributed.   0.5 % of the subscribed capital.   No  


Registration and licensing procedures


Signature and drawing up of status are made with a notary for the BVBA / SPRL and NV / SA. For the SCRL, they are private deed. Status must be drawn up in Dutch in Flanders and in French in Wallonia.


Legal framework


Direct foreign investments are not submitted to a preliminary authorisation, but in some activity sectors,the investor has to ask for an authorisation from the government: banks, insurances, food products production or sale, retail trade.


Foreign exchange control


No.


Regulations concerning equity investment


Legal.  


FDI inflows in Belgium




FDI inflows (millions US$) 2000 2001 2002 World rank
Foreign Direct Investments (F.D.I.) 15626   32098   34366   6 / 196
Sources : UNCTAD Database FDI/TNC


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Last modified in December 2003
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