Belgium 2013

SPECIAL EDITION

"World Markets and Opportunities"

BELGIUM 2013

The Kingdom of Belgium is a federal monarchy. It is a founding member of the EU. Brussels is the capital of Belgium and hosts the EU's headquarters as well as those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.

The population density of Belgium is 365 per square kilometre as of March 2013. The most densely inhabited area is Flanders.

Belgium is a Federal State made of Communities and Regions: Dutch-speaking Flanders in the north, francophone Wallonia in the south and bilingual French-Dutch capital Brussels. The German community in the East.

Belgium has three official languages, which are in order of size of the native speaking population of Belgium: Dutch, French and German. Many other languages are spoken by Expats living in Belgium.

Belgium has weathered the global crisis quite well, notably with a relatively good unemployment performance. GDP expanded 0.10 percent in the second quarter of 2013 over the previous quarter.

Belgium is famous for its chocolates, which are appreciated the world over. A favourite dish is mussels and chips (French fries) which, according to legend, are a Belgian invention. The country also produces over 1 000 brands of beer.

Folklore plays a major role in Belgium's cultural life: the country has a comparatively high number of processions, cavalcades, parades, 'ommegangs' and 'ducasses', 'kermesse' and other local festivals, with an originally religious or mythological background

King Philippe is the reigning King of the Belgians, having ascended the throne on 21 July 2013. He is the eldest child of King Albert II and Queen Paola. Royal family: King Philippe and Queen Mathilde have four children.

interview

H.E. Mr. Alain Kundycki, Ambassador of Belgium to Serbia

Progress Made, Still More to Do

I think that Belgian companies that are operating in Serbia are satisfied with their investments in general. Still, they have experienced some difficulties and surprises with the regulatory framework, dealing with the administration, bureaucracy and red tape. That’s something that is hampering their development in Serbia

diverse and intense. In political terms, we are cooperating with Serbia on its EU integration plans. Also, I would say that the most visible of our bilateral relations is perhaps in the economic area.

• In which segments is cooperation between the two countries most developed?

- I’ve been very blessed, I would say, that during my mission in Serbia some very important Belgian investments have taken place. The main one is, of course, the take over of Delta Maxi by Delhaize which continues to expand its activities in Serbia. Also, we had investments in the renewable energy field. A rendering plant that processes animal waste from slaughterhouses has been built in Inđija which is now fully operational. There are other projects in process that are being carried out now and some in the field of wind energy that could materialize very soon. Of course, other Belgian companies are present in Serbia in the sectors of

added that that area had a great potential in terms of boosting cooperation between Belgium and Serbia. How can Belgium help Serbia with the agricultural industrialization?

- Serbia is blessed with great agricultural assets, the richness of its soil, its favourable climatic conditions and available land. We have already some companies present in that field, and there are wider possibilities for further cooperation. We have had a number of interested companies that came here to look into these possibilities.

• What are the criteria that Serbians food producers have to fulfil in order to export in Belgium? e are strong advocates of - The Belgian food market is a very demandSerbia’s becoming a meming one in terms of quality. The Belgians ber of the European Union,” are used to and demand high quality food says H.E. Mr. Alain Kundycki, in the shops and on their table. That’s the Ambassador of Belgium to Serbia: “It should market aspect, but the quality is also backed be recalled that it was during the Belgian EU by a strong regulatory framework which is presidency in 2010 that the European Counaligned with EU standards. Belgium cil tasked the European Commission to and the European Union will not acprepare a report on the possibility to The major advantage of Serbia is its cept products that do not conform to grant candidate status to Serbia. At that workforce, which is very available, maybe European standards. These standards time there was still some reluctance are strictly implemented. We are thus and divergence of opinion within the a little bit too much for the good of the two difficulties: on the one hand European Union and Belgium wanted country with a very high unemployment rate facing Serbian standards may differ from EU to go ahead, so we proposed a solution ones and second, the implementation that all member states could agree. I’m just taking this as an example of our com- agriculture and food industry, public lighting, of existing regulations and standards is ofmitment to Serbia becoming member of EU.” floor coverings, building materials, metalwork- tentimes too loose. The consequence is that foodstuffs which answer the expectations of ing industry, to name but a few. the market but do not meet the standards • What is your view of the overall quality of • Earlier this year, you underlined the impor- cannot be exported to EU countries. It’s a Serbian-Belgian relations?

- I think the relations are excellent. They are tance of agricultural industrialization and lost opportunity.

"W

World Markets and Opportunities | belgium

difficulties Belgian companies have experienced some difficulties and surprises with the regulatory framework, dealing with the administration, bureaucracy and red tape.

quality Belgians want and demand extremely high quality standards of food in stores and restaurants.

destination Serbia is good destination for companies that look for the other markets to reexport what is produced here.

still in force. And furthermore they conflict • What experiences have Belgian investors in investors.

I can say that Belgian companies that are with recently adopted regulations. In spite of Serbia had in terms of the efficiency of their investments, the business climate and benefits operating in Serbia are satisfied with their this being recognized nothing could be done investments in general. Still, they have expe- about it. So this company has given up trycompared to other investment destinations?

- The workforce here is the main asset. I’ve rienced some difficulties and surprises with ing to solve this quandary and resigned itself heard from companies that have invested the regulatory framework, in their dealing to pay the fines. Here I have a report from another Belgian company, I will not menhere that they are very pleased with the level of the quality of the workforce, with We have very significant cooperation tion the name, of which I will read an ex“Our general impression is that the its knowledge and willingness to work in fields of police, justice and the fight cerpt: administration here is extremely slow and be trained. There is a large reservoir of available workers which unfortunately against crime. This is conducted by the in the decision-making process and the procedures are slow, blurred and unclear. for Serbia is a result of its current high interior ministry Also there is the lack of will and ability to unemployment numbers.

Its central location in the Balkans where with the administration, bureaucracy and meet business requirements and demands of neighbouring countries can easily be reached red tape. That’s something that is hampering investors which leads to a lack of motivation and the trade agreements that Serbia has their development in Serbia. Let me give you on their part and leads them to seek other with third countries like Turkey and Russia a couple of examples. I have heard a compa- markets for investments.”

We know that the Serbian government inand the CEFTA which provide privileged ac- ny complaining that it had to deal with some cess to their markets for Serbian exports are legal provisions that date back to 1960s, to tends to change this and has been working other factors that make Serbia attractive to the socialist period, which are obsolete but on it, but still there is progress to be made.

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Investors are now impatiently waiting for the new law regulating building and construction permits to be adopted by the end of the year.

Another demand from companies is greater job flexibility. The government is aware of the situation and I hope that the new Labour law that has been drafted can be adopted soon.

• Within the region, how important is the role of Serbia?

- Serbia is not only centrally located, it is also the largest country of the region, in terms of territory, of population and of borders it has with the other countries in the region. Obviously, Serbia is a key player for regional stability and its role is undeniably very important.

Serbia is aware of this and in recent times we have seen several high level Serbian visits to neighbouring countries and also visits of those countries’ high representatives to Serbia, just like the one by President of Croatia Mr. Ivo Josipović, that took place in October.

These are important signals that will induce further positive developments. We are very pleased by that and applaud these efforts.

significantly larger regional market which in turn will be more attractive for investments.

• What do you think of the European integration process in Serbia thus far?

- There have very serious changes for the better in recent years and in the last twelve months very significant progress has been made in the field of the relations between Belgrade and Priština. This issue is a difficult one that has impacted negatively on the European path of Serbia so we were impressed

• What is your opinion of the internal results that Serbia has achieved during the European integration process, and what should Serbia do more in this respect?

- Legal reforms are important and much has been done already. However I think more emphasis should be put on implementation. Sometimes we may observe that work is done in terms of legislation, but then the instruments, institutions, qualified personnel, financial means, etc. necessary for its implementation are missing. A good law on paper is not a good law if it is not implemented! In this respect it is important to mention that the EU is already assisting Serbia with its programs to achieve this.

• What kinds of cooperation do Belgium and Serbia have in non-economic areas like education, culture and sports?

- We have very significant cooperation in fields of police, justice and fight against crime. This is conducted by the interior ministry. Our police attaché is based in Vienna, but he comes here on a regular basis and maintains constant contact with his Serbian counterparts. As far as culture is concerned, • How important is it for West Balkan counlet me remind you that Belgium is a federal tries to cooperate more among themselves in state in which culture among other governorder to improve the region’s standing in the mental responsibilities is the competence economy and other segments? of the Federal entities. One of these, the - We see a great potential there. Belgium is a French Community of Belgium (CFB) has a very strong advocate of regional cooperation cooperation program with the University not just for others but for itself as its history of Belgrade for the teaching of the French shows. Belgium and Serbia became indelanguage. A lecturer from the CFB pendent countries about the same time. Belgium very quickly realized Sometimes we may observe that work is done in is here on a permanent basis. Furthat for growth and prosperity, we terms of legislation, but then the instruments thermore, in the framework of the “Organisation internationale de la needed strong cooperation with our do not exist for its implementation Francophonie” in cooperation with neighbours. An economic union was established with the Grand Duchy of Lux- and happy to see the determination of the France and Luxemburg, the French Comemburg in the 1920s. Just prior to World War Serbian government to deal with it and to munity supports another important training Two, the two countries and the Netherlands present practical solutions for a long time program in the French language designed launched the Benelux idea. And then after problem. This has given concrete results for civil servants who will have to deal with World War Two, Belgium wholeheartedly have been duly recognized by the Progress European integration matters since French is one of the official languages of European participated from the onset in the European report of the European Commission.

There have also been positive develop- Union. In the cultural field I am particularly integration endeavour which led to the Euroments with respect to judicial reform, the pleased that renowned Belgian artists and pean Union we know today.

Clearly, regional cooperation, wherever it is fight against corruption, but I think it’s fair to companies respond positively in great numin the world, will always benefit the countries say that we had hoped that more would have bers to invitations to participate to the mathat are part of it. And we think that the coun- been accomplished. But again efforts are go- jor cultural events that are organized here. tries of the Balkans, with their very similar ing in the right direction and there is no rea- It tells us three important things: first, Bellanguages, have something in common that son to doubt that they will be continued. On gian artists are appreciated in Serbia; seccan help them to cooperate more. You would the other hand, the government has made it ond they love to come here and, third, Belthen have not only individual domestic mar- clear that it is determined to deal with the grade is recognized as an important centre kets of limited size with populations some- economy and the precarious situation of the for culture and a place to be. I can only fully where between four and eight million, but a public finances. This also has to be welcomed. agree with that. ■ World Markets and Opportunities | belgium

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interview

Mihailo Vesović, Vice President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce

Bolstering Higher Forms of Cooperation On November 14, the Serbian Chamber of Commerce will host the Serbian-Belgian Business Forum which we will realize in collaboration with the Belgian-Serbian Business Association (BSBA)

T

he Kingdom of Belgium is a moderately important foreign trade partner of the Republic of Serbia with trade between the countries constantly showing stability. According to Vice President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce Mihailo Vesović, the trade value between Serbia and Belgium in 2012 amounted to US $359.8 million. Belgium was ranked 22nd among the 164 countries to which Serbia exported its goods. The total value of Serbian export to Belgium stood at US $130.9 million which is a 1.14% share of overall Serbian exports that year. In the observed period, exports declined by 2%.

the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Serbian and Belgian governments in 2009. During the official visit of the Belgian Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Didier Reynders to Serbia in April this year, and following his meeting with the Serbian PM and several government ministers, the two sides agreed that the bilateral relations between the two countries were at a high level and also underlined that there was some room for further improvement of the cooperation through concluding agreements and bolstering higher forms of economic cooperation.

• How important is Belgium for Serbia as an economic partner? What • What are the most important Belgian investments in Serbia and which economic segments have the biggest potential to receive more is the current level of the trading between Serbia and Belgium?

- In terms of import, Belgium ranked 24th out of the 204 countries investments?

- There are close to 20 companies in Serbia which have Belgian from which Serbia imported in 2012. The value of imported goods from Belgium, in the period in question, stood at US $228.9 million companies as shareholders. One of the biggest Belgian investments in which is a 5% increase relative to the same period last year, and it Serbia was the acquisition of Apatin Brewery by Belgium-based multinarepresents a 1.26% share in total Serbian imports. In 2012, our deficit tional corporation InBev. In 2009, Apatin Brewery was sold to AnheuserBusch InBev (a conglomerate which was created following the merger in trading with Belgium amounted to US $98 million. between the U.S. company Anheuser-Busch and During the first eight months of 2013, the total trade between Serbia and the Kingdom of There are close to 20 companies Belgian group InBev) and CVC Capital Partners which acquired all InBev breweries in Central Belgium amounted to US $297.1 million. Serbian in Serbia which have Belgian Europe, including the one in Apatin. The most reexports were valued at US $113.6 million, which cent Belgian investment in Serbia was Delhaize’s is a 40% increase compared to the same period companies as shareholders acquisition of a 100% share in Delta Maxi Group. last year, while imports from Belgium amounted With the acquisition of Maxi, Delhaize has managed to expand to Bulto US $183.5 million, a 25% jump from the same period in 2012.

Serbia mostly exports fruits and vegetables, tobacco, motor vehi- garia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, and Montenegro, in addition to cles, yarn and textile products to Belgium, and mostly imports chemi- Romania and Bulgaria where the company had already been doing business. Smederevo-based company Metech, which operates under Belgian cal products, rubber and plastic products, machinery and devices. company Metes N.V., is a result of a merger between Metalik Holding • What are the most important bilateral agreements concluded be- from Belgium and Univerzal Holding from Serbia, both engaged in the production of all sorts of metal sheeting. Construction of a €350-miltween Belgium and Serbia in the segment of economic cooperation?

- If we are talking about relatively recent international bilateral agree- lion wind farm is supposed to start in the Municipality of Kovačica soon. ments concluded between the Republic of Serbia and the Kingdom of These are actually two projects which are going to be implemented by Belgium, there is the Agreement on Debt Consolidation dating back to two companies – Elektrawinds and Elektrawinds-K which is going to 2002, the Agreement on Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Invest- have its registered seat in the Municipality of Kovačica.

Belgian companies are mostly interested in investing in the metal ments concluded between Serbia and Montenegro and the BelgianLuxembourgish Economic Union which came into force in 2007, and processing industry, renewable energy sources, the food industry and the World Markets and Opportunities | belgium

• What is the cooperation between the PKS and Belgian chambers of commerce like and how is their work regulated?

- The PKS and the Federation of Belgian Chamber of Commerce have been cooperating successfully for number of years. The Federation is an umbrella organization for all chambers of commerce in Belgium.

Apart from that, the Federation represents the interests of over 30 • Could you cite some Serbian companies that operate in Belgium?

- I have already mentioned that the bilateral cooperation between the Belgian and Luxembourgish chambers of commerce abroad. Unlike other countries, membertwo countries is dominated by the ship in chambers of combuy/sell arrangements. During The fact that the Serbian Chamber of Commerce has its merce is not mandatory the first eight months of this year, office in Belgium is of great importance for bolstering in Belgium. The Serbian the following Serbian companies Chamber of Commerce is a exported the most to Belgium economic cooperation and supporting Serbian umbrella organiCROP S&PARTNERS, JT INTERNAcompanies in their appearance on the Belgian market national zation of businesses which TIONAL AD SENTA, BLOCKX DOO has been supporting SerBAČKI PETROVAC, HEMOFARM AD VRŠAC, PRVI PARTIZAN AD UŽICE, METECH SMEDEREVO, YUBE bian economy for over 156 years, while protecting the interests of business people through cooperating with line ministries and other DOO POŽEGA, and FIAT AUTOMOBILI SRBIJA from Kragujevac. relevant economic institutions. The Chamber also actively supports • What activities has the Serbian Chamber of Commerce been con- Serbian businesses in their appearances abroad and encourages inducting in terms of establishing economic cooperation with Belgium? ternationalization of business. To this end, the Chamber uses the sup- Since June 2010, and in collaboration with the Kingdom of Belgium port and cooperation with international organizations of chambers of Embassy’s Economic Affairs Section, the Serbian Chamber of Com- commerce, the agreements we have concluded with foreign chambers merce has been organizing the visits of the Belgian economic mission of commerce which are our partners, as well as a network of its offices (Belgian businessmen) to Serbia. Apart from Serbia, Belgian business abroad, including the one in Brussels, thus contributing to presenting people have also been visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia Serbia as an attractive location for investing and doing business. ■ at the same time. This year, Serbian and Belgian business people from branches like renewable energy sources, wastewater treatment and IT, met in Belgrade, on June 20. On November 14, the Serbian Chamber of Commerce will host the Serbian-Belgian Business Forum which we will realize in collaboration with the Belgian-Serbian Business Association (BSBA). In cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce of the Flanders (Voka) Region, the Serbian Chamber of Commerce has implemented a project called PLATO with the aim of boosting economic cooperation and implementing experiences and advanced technologies in business. The project is about advancing cooperation between SMEs with the help of corporate managers. The PLATO Serbia project was funded by the Government of Flanders with the help of the European Commission which declared the project one of the top ten formats for increasing competitiveness in the SME sector.

Ultrapolymers d.o.o. Belgrade was founded in August 2004, as a sales office The fact that the Serbian Chamber of Commerce has its office and daughter company of Ultrapolymers Group NV, Belgium company dealing in Belgium and that the Head of this office, Gordana Zrnić, has been with worldwide distribution and compounding of plastics with production sites monitoring the development of EU regulation is of great importance all around Europe. for bolstering economic cooperation and supporting Serbian compaUltrapolymers d.o.o. was first acting as distributor and agent of LyondellBasell nies in their appearance on the Belgian market. Another important Industries as a main supplier. Since market demand for new materials growth work carried out by our office in Belgium is ensuring the reliable every day, we include in our offer materials of respectable suppliers such as flow of information which is supposed to help the PKS and its memRavago, Styrolution, Domo, BASF... bers with being properly informed about the ongoing and planned Our business goal is to recognize the opportunities and extend product portchanges to EU regulation, as well as for launching relevant initiatives folio and services and offer it to customers. We are implementing our strategy in harmonizing the Serbian regulation with the EU. In cooperation for further grow and strengthening our position on Serbian polyolefin market to with the Serbian Embassy in Belgium, our office has been actively remain one of the leading distributors in our country. engaged in promoting the Serbian economy and its investment and tourism potential through various presentations and workshops. One Antifašističke borbe 25/I, 11070 Belgrade, Serbia of many such events was presented through Mikser and a group of Tel: +381 11 21 22 035, +381 11 31 49 849, +381 11 31 49 875 Serbian companies which are involved in creative industry under the Fax: +381 11 31 49 874 title of "Serbia in Redesign: Mikser and Guest”. This was an excepEmail: jelena.stefanovic@ultrapolymers.co.rs, www.ultrapolymers.com tionally successful event which drew a lot of media attention. energy sector. Also, there has been growing interest in trilateral cooperation. Serbia’s has a preferential status in trading with the Russian Federation and the countries of the Customs Union (the Russian Federation, Belarus and Kazakhstan), and this remains very appealing to investors.

belgium | World Markets and Opportunities

interview

Ann-Véronique Mortier, Investment and Trade Commissioner, Embassy of Belgium

Growing Closer Belgian investors are starting to discover the Serbian market.

A lot of work has been done to attract them by promoting the market as being attractive. A very useful collaboration exists for this purpose with SIEPA. The main obstacles are still the big load of bureaucracy, the non-transparent tender procedures and the lack of funds

with Delhaize being the biggest investment. The Belgian companies established in Serbian are very satisfied with their investment in Serbia. Some of them, as Metech, are very active in trying to convince other Belgian companies to establish themselves in Serbia.

The major problem for attracting Belgian companies to Serbia, is the ‘psychological distance’ that exist between Serbia and Belgium. In other words, there are not so many links between Serbia and Belgium.

Belgian entrepreneurs don’t think about doing business with Serbia,

T

he Kingdom of Belgium, in the very heart and administrative centre of Europe, is only at the beginning of its relationship with Serbia and its economy. According to AnnVéronique Mortier, Investment and Trade Commissioner at the Embassy of Belgium, this is not because of Serbia’s negative public image or any other intervening factor apart from a lack of direct experience. In this interview with CorD, Ms Mortier says it is simply “because Belgians have nearly never done business with the Balkans in general.” These ties, however, are improving and the two countries are growing closer with the arrival of Delhaize as well as more than 40 other investors from Belgium.

A very useful collaboration exists for this purpose with SIEPA. The main obstacles are still the big load of bureaucracy, the non-transparent tender procedures and the lack of funds

• How satisfied are you with the current economic cooperation between Belgium and Serbia?

- Economic cooperation between Belgium and Serbia is satisfying as more than 40 Belgian companies are established in Serbia World Markets and Opportunities | belgium

not only because the image of Serbia is still negative, even if it’s improving, but because Belgians have nearly never done business with the Balkans in general.

• Which segments of the Serbian economy could attract more Belgian investments?

- Belgium has a lot of expertise in know-how and specialized machinery for different segments as agri-

business, construction and environment. Many Belgian companies in those sectors are eager to share their knowledge with the Serbian economy once they are ready for it.

Several Belgian delegations in the agribusiness came to share their knowledge about the way they organized their business, collaborating with each other instead of considering each other as competitors.

• How appealing is the Serbian market to Belgian investors and what specific needs do they have?

- Belgian investors are starting to discover the Serbian market. A very useful collaboration exists for this purpose with SIEPA. The main obstacles are still the big load of bureaucracy, the non-transparent tender procedures and the lack of funds.

Belgian businessmen also wonder why some Serbian businessmen are not somehow more proactive.

In some sectors as is the environmental sector, laws still have to be adopted to push the industrial sector to adopt new green measures. In the wind energy for instance, some obstacles haven’t been removed yet by the government to make it possible to realize their investment.

• What are the ways in which the Belgian Embassy in Serbia has been helping Belgian and Serbian inves-

tors willing to extend their business operations to these two countries?

- We organize contact days and seminars in Belgium to promote Serbia as an interesting export market and investment country.

On an annual basis, several delegations of Belgian business men are visiting Serbia. We organize B-to-B meetings for them. We also help Belgian investors once they are in the procedure of establishing themselves or even after that by promoting their activities or by helping them to solve problems if they are confronted by them. Last but not least, the Belgian Serbian Business Association (BSBA) organizes on a monthly basis activities for its members. Sometimes they are social, like a chocolate and wine evening, and sometimes they are business-focused. The last event organized was a seminar and stand at the Ecofair in collaboration with Energo-Zelena.

The government should focus on approving and implementing the laws in accordance to the acquis européen to attract Belgian investors with their know-how to make it easier for them to implement it

• What kind of reception do Belgian investors receive when they come to Serbia, and what should the Serbian government do in order to make the Serbian market more appealing to them?

- The tender procedures are not very transparent for interested investors and make it more difficult to attract them. The government should focus on making the procedures less bureaucratic and more efficient. They also should focus on approving and implementing the laws in accordance to the acquis européen to attract Belgian investors with their know-how to make it easier for them to implement it. The Serbian economy should become less dependent on the goodwill of the government and each of its ministries. The inter-ministerial collaboration should become more efficient to make procedures quicker and less time consuming. ■

General Manager tel: +381 31 563 442 fax: +381 31 563 472 Marketing Manager: tel: +381 31 563 478 fax: +381 31 563 436 office@prvipartizan.com; www.prvipartizan.com Prvi Partizan a.d. Miloša Obrenovića 2belgium | World Markets and Opportunities 31000 Užice, Serbia

Cooperation between Serbia and Belgium

Stable Partnership At the moment the prevalent form of economic cooperation between Serbia and Belgium is a classic buy-sell arrangement, comprising 80% of Serbian exports to Belgium and more than 90% of imports from Belgium.

The next most common form is finishing services, which makes up close to 8% of Serbia’s exports to Belgium and approximately 2% of Belgian imports into Serbia

T

he Kingdom of Belgium is a moderately important foreign trade partner of the Republic of Serbia. Of the 147 countries Serbia exported to in Q2 of 2012, Belgium was ranked 22nd, receiving a 1.16% share of Serbian exports. Similarly, of the 183 countries that Serbia imported goods from in Q2 2012, Belgium ranked 23rd, translating into a 1.22% share of overall Serbian imports. This data hasn’t changed much since 2006.

Both exports and imports grew until 2009, when, due to the global economic downturn, they started to decline. Exports and imports did grow somewhat in 2010, but failed to reach their 2008 level. According to 2011’s data, Serbia imported US $218.3 million worth of goods and services from Belgium, exporting US $133.8 million. Serbia has traditionally recorded a negative balance in trading

with Belgium, and during the first six months of 2012, Serbia recorded a US $49 million deficit, with an export-toimport ratio of 56.11% – a 5% decline relative to 2011.

The following Serbian companies export the most to Belgium: Smederevo Ironworks (formerly U.S. Steel), JT International AD, Metanolsko Sirćetni Kompleks (MSK), AD

There are approximately 20 Belgian companies operating in the Serbian market at present

World Markets and Opportunities | belgium

Prvi Partizan, BlockX d.o.o., LR Fruit, MetalHemiko d.o.o., CT Computers d.o.o., fruit and vegetable processing and preserving company YUBE DOO, and STAV DOO. The following Serbian companies import the most from Belgium: Delta Sport d.o.o., DOO Tarkett, Yusafarm DOO, Smederevo Ironworks, KL DOO,

Beohemija, Atlas Copco, HIP Petrohemija, JT International, and Delta Agrar.

Opportunities for industrial cooperation between Serbian and Belgian businesses can be found in the metal processing industry (machine building, electronics, vehicle manufacturing), chemical industry and the agricultural and food processing industry.

At the moment the prevalent form of economic cooperation between Serbia and Belgium is a classic buysell arrangement, comprising 80% of Serbian exports to Belgium and more than 90% of imports from Belgium.

The next most common form is finishing services, which makes up close to 8% of Serbia’s exports to Belgium and approximately 2% of Belgian imports into Serbia.

There are approximately 20 Belgian companies operating in the Serbian market at the moment. Until

Export to import ratio, in %

Trade exchange between Serbia and Belgium, in million USD 80

300 200

60

59.01

100 40

0 -100

61.29

74.36

59.18

45.17

55.18

66.55

57.19

45.24

20

-200 2005

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013-VII

Export in USD

Import in USD

recently, the biggest Belgian investment in Serbia was international corporation InBev acquiring the Apatin Brewery. Another substantial investment was the acquisition of A Bank (formerly Alko Banka) by KBC, which is the third biggest insurance and banking group in Belgium, with €32 billion in capital, 50,000 employees and 12 million clients.

In 2009, the Apatin Brewery was sold to Anheuser-Busch InBev (a conglomerate created following the merger between U.S. company Anheuser-Busch and Belgian group InBev) and CVC Capital Partners, which acquired all InBev breweries in Central Europe, including the one in Apatin. CVC Capital Partners is a global private equity and investment advisory firm founded in 1981. To date, the company has managed to raise and manage funds of more than €18 billion. CVC funds own 51 companies worldwide, including Formula 1, Samsonite and Cortefiel, and employ more

Balance in USD

0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013-VII

Opportunities for industrial cooperation between Serbian and Belgian businesses can be found in the metal processing industry, chemical industry and the agricultural and food processing industry than 280,000 people. Anheuser-Busch InBev (ABI) operates in 130 countries and has 120,000 employees. The company’s revenue stood at €26.5 billion last year.

Leading SITC segments in exporting to Belgium

The most recent Belgian investment in Serbia was the acquisition of a 100% share in Delta Maxi Group

by Delhaize Group for €932.5 million, including Delta Maxi’s liabilities of €300 million. Following the acquisition of Delta Maxi Group, and taking into account the number of Delhaize stores in Greece and Romania, Delhaize Group is now among the leading retailers in Southeast Europe.

On June 7 this year, the Belgian Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Mr. Alain Kundycki, attended the official signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation between the mixed Belgian-Dutch company WindVision and the Municipality of Kikinda. The Memorandum stipulates the construction of a biomass energy facility that will produce heat. This is “a method that suits both the needs of the citizens and companies, without having to resort to fossil fuels for energy”. The overall investment is estimated to be in the region of €15.2 million. ■

Leading SITC segments in importing from Belgium

Road vehicles

8%

40%

9% 10% 10%

22%

Metal-based products, not specified elsewhere Miscellaneous finished products, not specified elsewhere Fruits and Vegetables Furniture and furniture parts Other

Clothing Road vehicles

55%

Plastic materials in their primary forms

6% 8% 10%

10%

12%

Medical and pharmaceutical products Operating machinery and devices Other

belgium | World Markets and Opportunities

Economy of Belgium

Coping with Crisis Belgium’s economic freedom score is 69.2, making its economy the 40th freest in the 2013 OECD Global Index and 18th among the 43 countries in the Europe region. Still, the global financial crisis has caused a sharp economic slowdown in Belgium

Belgian Federal Parliament

U

ntil last year, Belgium had weathered the global crisis quite well, notably with a relatively good unemployment performance. However, stillweak domestic demand, rapid fiscal consolidation and slow export market growth weighed on the economic recovery. The global financial crisis has caused a sharp economic slowdown in Belgium. The general government deficit reached 3.0% of GDP in 2012, excluding the potential deficit impact of the recapitalization of Dexia (the Franco-Belgian financial institution active in public finance, providing retail and commercial banking services to individuals and SMEs, asset management, and insurance).

After the cut-off date of the autumn

Continued strong protection of the rule of law and the foundations of economic freedom is reflected in Belgium’s high scores in property rights and freedom from corruption

Belgium GDP Annual Per Capita Evolution Date 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005

GDP Per C. €34,000 €33,700 €32,700 €31,600 €32,400 €31,600 €30,200 €29,000

Annual Change 0.9% 3.1% 3.5% -2.5% 2.5% 4.6% 4.1% 3.6%

Source: CountryEconomy.com

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forecast, the federal government had frozen around 0.1% of GDP in expenditures to address the budgetary impact of the economic slowdown, but this could not prevent Belgium from missing its own deficit target of 2.8% of GDP. Towards year-end, revenues slowed down more than anticipated, while small spending overruns occurred in social security. In response to turmoil in the banking sector and the subsequent contraction in overall economic activity, the government stepped in to support the financial system and implement a fiscal stimulus package. However, the economic recovery that began in mid-2009 has been uneven, and structural weaknesses that include a rigid labour market and high taxation continue to hinder international competitiveness.

Fiscal consolidation is advancing well, but public debt is still high. Fiscal consolidation has already been sizeable, and the government is committed to secure a structural budget balance by 2015. This is appropriate to avoid further consolidation measures in case the economy deteriorates further, which could pose a risk to growth.

Looking ahead, maintaining (at

least) a structural budget balance over the medium-term would ensure a rapid reduction in public debt, creating room to finance part of ageing-related spending increases.

The recent reform of early retirement programmes will increase the internationally low effective retirement age – a key to contain pension spending ‑ but the system still gives insufficient work incentives to older workers. The recent reform of fiscal federalism arrangements is transferring more spending and tax responsibilities to the communities and regions. However, it does not clarify the medium-term burden sharing of fiscal consolidation efforts between government levels.

Population ageing is boosting cost pressures on the health system.

The system delivers accessible care and broadly satisfactory health outcomes. Nevertheless, its performance is reduced by practice and efficiency variation across providers, high consumption of drugs and perhaps supplier-induced demand. Health responsibilities are fragmented across government levels and sickness funds have too passive a role. The strict regulation of the supply of health services risks rendering the system too inflexible as ageing changes demand patterns. Long-term care has a high reliance on care in institutions.

Boosting the labour supply is a key not matched by a commitment to the prin- tal domestic income. Government spending driver of growth. Reforms of the unemploy- ciple of limited government. Expansionary has levelled off at 53.4 per cent of total doment benefit system and special provisions public spending has generated significant mestic output, but budget deficits over 4 per for new graduates are expected to improve budgetary pressure. With government debt cent have caused public debt to reach levels the efficiency of the labour market. However, nearing 100 per cent of GDP, reducing the equivalent to about 100 per cent of GDP. The cost of establishing a company has other factors still hold back the labour mar- chronic deficit needs to be a high priority.

Laws are well codified, and the judicial been reduced to below 20 per cent of the ket, including high sectoral minimum wages, labour market traps created by the high tax system is generally respected, but the courts level of average annual income, and starting a wedge and the decoupling of wages from can be slow in practice. Similarly, intellectual business takes only three days and four procedures. Although employment regulations productivity.

The modern, private enterprise economy have gradually become less burdensome, Belgium’s economic freedom score is 69.2, making its economy the 40th freest of Belgium has capitalised on its central the non-salary cost of hiring a worker remains high. Inflation has been modest, but in the 2013 OECD Global Index. Its overgeographic location, highly developed price-control policies continue to affect a all score has increased by 0.2 points from last year, primarily reflecting notable im- transport network, and diversified industrial range of products and services.

Belgium has low tariffs along with provements in freedom from corruption and commercial base other members of the European Union, and the management of public spending that counterbalance declines in labour property rights and contracts are generally and non-tariff barriers are relatively low. With freedom and monetary freedom. Belgium is secure, although enforcement actions can a few exceptions, the investment regime is ranked 18th among the 43 countries in the be protracted. Corruption is minimal, and the largely open. The Financial Crisis Law passed Europe region, and its overall score is above government prohibits and punishes all forms in June 2010 grants the government stronger powers to step in during crises. Following of bribery. the regional and global averages.

The top income tax rate is 50 per cent, the 2011 nationalization of the Belgian unit, Continued strong protection of the rule of law and the foundations of economic free- and the top corporate tax rate is effectively uncertainty remains high with regard to Dexdom is reflected in Belgium’s high scores in 34 per cent. Other taxes include a value-add- ia, a Brussels-based Franco–Belgian bank. ■ property rights and freedom from corruption. ed tax (VAT) and an estate tax. The overall Sources: Heritage.com, These institutional strengths, however, are tax burden amounts to 43.8 per cent of toOECD Economic Surveys 2013

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Belgian culture

In the Centre of Europe Belgium is essentially a country of medium-size and small cities, many with long histories. In the central parts of these cities, rows of terraced houses are built among a network of ancient churches and marketplaces. Opulent buildings often feature a Belfry in the central marketplace, or, as in Brussels, a city hall and corporation houses

A

lthough the name of the modern state refers to the original Celtic inhabitants after the Roman conquest in 44 B.C.E., the population was romanised and adopted the Latin language. Latin gave rise to a series of dialects including, in the southern part of the country, the Walloon dialects. The name "Walloon" derives from a Germanic word meaning "foreign," and refers to the Roman Empire. Flemish culture came to northern Belgium as a consequence of the Germanic invasions of the fourth century. In the central and southern regions, the Germanic invaders formed small kingdoms and adopted their subjects' culture.

Until the eighth century, conquests and divisions modified the borders of these kingdoms. The last division took place at the treaty of Verdun (843) between the grandsons of Charlemagne, who divided the Holy Roman Empire into three parts, of which the central part, Lothar-

Pieter Paul Rubens (1577–1640) was the most famous painter of his time, receiving commissions from European sovereigns

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ingia, encompassed the territories between the Netherlands and Italy, including present-day Belgium. However, Lotharingia was absorbed into the German Empire, and the idea of a state between France and the German Empire did not resurface until the fourteenth century. The Burgundian princes inherited, conquered, bought, or received in dowry most of the fiefs constituting the Netherlands, Belgium, and northern and eastern France. They established their court in Brussels and brought the French language to their states. The possessions of the dukes of Burgundy were inherited by the Habsburg dynasty in 1477.

In the middle of the sixteenth century, a religious civil war led to the division of the Low Countries into two parts. The north became the Netherlands, a Dutch-speaking, Protestant state. The south remained Catholic and was associated with the Habsburg dynasty until the French conquest in 1794. Under the Habsburg rulers, the use of Flemish progressively declined, but the position of French was reinforced during the French administration (1794–1814). After the defeat of Napoleon, the Congress of Vienna established the kingdom of the Netherlands, including present-day Belgium.

However, the policy of King Willem I van Oranje Nassau (1772– 1843) of favouring the Dutch language and the Protestant religion, led to the revolution of 1830, after which Belgium became independent.

Literature Sometimes it is denied that there is a Belgian literature, with only Flemish and Walloon or French and Dutch writers who happen to be Belgian citizens. However, authors such as Charles de Coster (1827–1879) and Emile Verhaeren (1855–1916), wrote in French on Flemish themes. Another important Francophone writer from Flanders was the symbolist Maurice Maeterlinck.

The main nineteenth-century Flemish

Emile Verhaeren

writers were Hendrik Conscience and Guido Gezelle. Flemish and Francophone writers contributed to important literary movements such as symbolism, surrealism, and magic realism. Important themes are the hardness of life, the questioning of the nature of reality, and the quest for original ways to get through life. The distrust of authority was present in one of the oldest Flemish tales, Reynard the Fox, in which the small fox outsmarts the larger animals.

Graphic Arts The golden age of graphic arts lasted from the fourteenth century to the seventeenth century and was

embodied mostly in painting. The Flemish Primitives school of painting (fourteenth and fifteenth centuries) made the region the main artistic centre of Europe outside of Italy.

Artists such as Jan Van Eyck (1395– 1441) and Rogier Van Der Weyden (1400–1464) were interested in spatial composition and psychology and rendered the colours and textures of living and material objects with realism. The main artistic figure of the next century was Pieter Breughel the Elder (1525–1569), with his lively paintings of peasant life.

Pieter Paul Rubens

Pieter Paul Rubens (1577–1640) was the most famous painter of his time, receiving commissions from European sovereigns. His main focus was on the human figure. Rubens influenced Anthony Van Dyk (1599–1641) and Jacob Jordaens (1593–1678). The graphic arts declined until the late nineteenth century, when James Ensor and René Magritte (in the twentieth century) revived the avant-garde.

The most innovative works of living artists can be seen in contemporary art museums in Antwerp and Ghent.

Performance Arts The Franco-Flemish style dominated European music in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, with composers such as Josquin des Prez and Orlando di Lasso. In the twentieth century, the most famous Belgian musician was the singer Jacques Brel. Several living classical composers are active. The harmonica player Toots Thielemans is the most famous jazz musician. The Blindman Kwartet combines jazz, pop, and classical music. The presence in Brussels between 1959 and 1987 of the French choreographer Maurice Béjart stimulated a new generation

ral spaces. While the north has many isolated farms between villages, the southern farms tend to be grouped in villages on both sides of a road.

Josquin des Pre

The FrancoFlemish style dominated European music in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, with composers such as Josquin des Prez and Orlando di Lasso

Art Nouveau house

of choreographers. The main theatrical centres are De Singel in Antwerp and the Kaai Teater in Brussels. Several theatres and orchestras are supported by the government.

Architecture Belgium is essentially a country of medium-size and small cities, many with long histories. In the central parts of these cities, rows of terraced houses are built among a network of ancient churches and marketplaces.

Opulent buildings often feature a Belfry in the central marketplace, or, as in Brussels, a city hall and corporation houses. In nineteenth century, many working-class cities were built in mining and industrial areas. In some cities, new middle-class suburbs were linked to urban centres by large avenues. The stylistic height of this expansion is illustrated by the Art Nouveau houses built by Victor Horta. In the first half of the twentieth century, garden cities were built to provide humane lodgings for the working classes. Today, as the population continues to leave the central cities, one-family houses are organized in small suburban villages. There is some contrast between the north and south in the use of traditional, ru-

Comics With more than 700 comic strip authors, Belgium has more comic strip artists per square kilometre than any other country in the world. It is here that the comic strip has grown from a popular medium into an art in its own right. Nowhere else comics are so strongly rooted in reality and in people's imagination. Smurfs, Lucky Luke, Tintin, Largo Winch… All those comic characters were born in Belgium.

Belgium has numerous well-known cartoonists, such as Hergé (The Adventures of Tintin), Peyo (The Smurfs), Franquin (Spirou et Fantasio, Marsupilami, Gaston), Willy Vandersteen

Lucky Luke

(Spike and Suzy), Morris (Lucky Luke), Edgar P. Jacobs (Blake and Mortimer), Jef Nys (Jommeke) and Marc Sleen (Nero). More recently, Jean Van Hamme (XIII, Largo Winch, Thorgal, etc.), Raoul Cauvin (Les Tuniques Bleues, Agent 212), François Schuiten and Benoît Peeters (Les Cités Obscures) are among the most read cartoonists.

Belgium is home to some of the most important European comic magazines and publishers, with Dupuis (Spirou magazine), Le Lombard (Tintin magazine) and Casterman. The Belgian Comic Strip Centre, a true temple dedicated to comic strip art, is an undisputed masterpiece of the Art Nouveau.

Located in the heart of Brussels, in a majestic Art Nouveau building, created by Victor Horta in 1906, the Belgian Comic Strip Centre opened its doors to the public on October 6th 1989. ■ Source: Every Culture, Belgum.be ComicsCenter.net.

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People and tradition

The Two Belgiums A history of linguistic and cultural division runs through modern Belgium, with the country partitioned along north-south, Flemish-Walloon lines. This has been a source of social friction, but, as is fitting for a country that lies at the heart of the EU, Belgium’s ethnic divide has fostered a country rich in culture and history

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odern Belgium’s two predominant cultural and linguistic groups are the Flemish and the Walloons.

The Flemish, comprising more than half of the Belgian population, speak in a dialect of Dutch and live mainly in the north and west of the country. The Walloons, making up about one-third of the population, speak various dialects of French and live in the south and east. The vast majority of both groups are Roman Catholic.

Belgium was part of Gaul in Roman times and was inhabited by Romanised Celts. Gradually the land was infiltrated by groups of Gothic Germans, until finally in the 3rd and 4th centuries AD a new wave of Germans, the Salian Franks, began to migrate down from the northeast. Eventually they pushed back the Romans and held a line corresponding generally to the present north-south, FlemishWalloon divide – a natural line formed by what was then dense woodland.

Only later, in the 5th century, after

the withdrawal of the Roman frontier garrisons, did many Franks push southward and settle much of Gaul proper. The northern Franks retained their Germanic language (which would later become modern Dutch), whereas the Franks who moved south adopted the language of the culturally dominant Romanised Gauls – the language that would become French.

Much of modern Belgium’s history consists of the Flemish community’s struggle to gain equal status for its language, and to acquire a fair share of political influence and economic opportunity

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This language-based frontier between the northern Flemish and southern Walloons has remained virtually unchanged ever since.

The linguistic boundary is demarcated by law and passes roughly eastwest across north-central Belgium along a line just south of capital city Brussels. North of that line, all public

signs and government publications must be in Flemish, which has official status; the same situation prevails with French south of the line. In Brussels, which is officially bilingual, all signs and publications must be in both languages.

Much of modern Belgium’s history consists of the Flemish-speaking community’s struggle to gain equal status for its language, and to acquire a fair share of political influence and economic opportunity in a society dominated largely by the Walloons after the country’s independence in 1830. In the 20th century, the Flemish successfully obtained legislation to further these aims, but linguistic and other differences with the Walloons remain a source of social friction.

Roughly 59% of Belgium’s inhabitants belong to the Flemish community, 40% to the French-speaking community and 1% to the country’s Germanspeaking minority. Dutch is the official language of the northern Flemish region, known as Flanders, and is one

of the two official languages of the Brussels-Capital Region, which lies geographically on the Flemish side of the divide but is officially neutral.

The 40% of the population who speak French reside mostly south of the divide in the Walloon region, known as Wallonia (which, like Flanders, is a political entity). Although French is Wallonia’s dominant language, and is spoken in the Brussels-Capital Region, Wallonia is also home to Belgium’s German-speaking minority. German, recognised as the third national language, is not used frequently in the national administration.

French was introduced as the language of the political elite by feudal lords of French origin, particularly the dukes of Burgundy, who chose Brussels as their main city of residence.

French was in turn adopted by the bourgeoisie in the 18th century, and in 1830 became the official language.

Through a combination of education and social promotion, French replaced the local dialects of Wallonia and Brussels, although it failed to take as strong a hold in Flanders. In Wallonia, a series of Romance dialects were spoken rather than a single language, but never gained official status. Although Brussels was originally a Flemish city, the influence of French has always been strongest here, with only a tenth of the population speaking Dutch.

In Dutch-speaking Flanders (where the language is referred to commonly as Flemish), official Dutchlanguage institution the Taalunie guarantees the international unity of the language. There is, however, a great diversity of Flemish dialects, each differing in vocabulary and pronunciation. French is also spoken in Flanders by a minority of people in

the upper- and upper-middle classes, as well as along the linguistic border and around Brussels. The presence of these Francophone minorities in some parts of Flanders has been a source of political conflict, and in the 1980s led to the resignation of a number of central governments.

Roughly 59% of Belgium’s inhabitants belong to the Flemish community, 40% to the Frenchspeaking community and 1% to the country’s German-speaking minority Much of Flanders’ mythology involves the Lion of Flanders. The lion has been the symbol of the counts of Flanders since the time of the Crusades, and has become the symbol of Flemish emancipation since gaining cultural autonomy in 1972. The oldest elements of Flemish symbolism were developed as Belgian “myths” before the emergence of the Flemish movement. A successful 14th-century revolt of cities in the former county of Flanders against a count from the French royal family became an expression of early Flemish/Belgian nationalism.

The Flemish national day celebrates

the victory of the Flemish militias over the royal French army at the Battle of the Golden Spurs, which is named after the trophies collected from slain French knights. The Flemish national anthem (“De Vlaamse Leeuw”) was composed in 1847 and was adopted as the Flemish movement's anthem in 1900 before becoming the Flemish community’s official anthem in 1973.

Another important Flemish event is the National Song Feast (ANZ), a mixture of Flemish songs and modern expressions of culture that has been held annually in Antwerp since the early 1930s. And every year on the last Sunday of August, the Flemish movement gathers for the Yser pilgrimage to World War I battlefields, which, due to the Flemish movement’s Christian roots, carries a main slogan with strong religious connotations: “No more war, autonomy, and truce of God.” The Walloon movement, meanwhile, has taken the French rooster as its cultural symbol. Belgium’s Francophone community celebrates its national day on 21 September, although it is not emphasised as heavily as similar events in Flanders – Wallonia did not even adopt an anthem of its own (“Li Tchant des Walons”) until 1998.

Away from Flanders and Wallonia, back in the middle ages Belgian capital Brussels adopted Saint Michael as its patron saint, with the image of him killing the dragon as its coat of arms. However, when Brussels became a separate region, its leaders felt they had to find symbols to support the separate identity of the region, opting for the yellow iris and setting the Brussels-Capital Region’s celebration day during the season in which that flower blossoms. ■ Sources: Britannica, EveryCulture.com

food & drink Bread and potatoes are Belgium’s traditional staple foods. Most meals include pork, chicken or beef, and seafood is popular in the north of the country. The national drink is beer, but wine is imported in large quantities. In northern cities, popular dishes include mussels with fries, as well as waterzooi, a broth of vegetables and meat or fish. Throughout Belgium, French fries are eaten with steaks or minced meat. Cooking is done traditionally with butter rather than oil, and there is also high consumption of dairy products. Immigration has ensured a diverse range of ethnic restaurants, which is gradually changing the eating habits of residents in culturally mixed areas. belgium | World Markets and Opportunities

Belgian Tourism

Holidays in Many Forms Two of the big tourist attractions in Belgium are the Ardennes and the coast.

Belgium plays an important role in the gastronomic life of Western Europe. The Belgians are well known for their exuberant lifestyle, and they take pleasure in their guests enjoying themselves

B

elgium fires one's imagination.

Tourists from all over the world are attracted to Belgium and its cosmopolitan capital, Brussels.

It is no surprise then, that Belgium has a lot to offer the foreign tourist. Belgium means holidays in many forms. You will be able to briefly escape the daily grind, with a weekend in a Belgian city, but you can also plan a true voyage of discovery throughout Belgium.

Two of the big tourist attractions in Belgium are the Ardennes and the coast.

If you like hiking, cycling, sport, nature and tranquillity, you will undoubtedly want to go to the Ardennes, Belgium's lungs. If you more likely to be tempted by sun, sea, sport and enjoyable bustle, then there is the lure of the coast.

Those with a craving for art and culture or architectural beauty will be pampered in cities of art. Those who would like a taste of our gastronomy, cultural events and nightlife will have their every wish satisfied. As a result, the many cities of art - with Brussels at the top - are able to depend on an ever-

FRAHAN-SURSEMOIS

increasing interest from tourists.

Belgium plays an important role in the gastronomic life of Western Europe.

The Belgians are well known for their exuberant lifestyle and they take pleasure in their guests enjoying themselves.

The restaurants are outstanding, and what is more agreeable to finish a beautiful day, than the enjoyment of a Flemish meat casserole with a Trappist beer from the Ardennes?

The Ardennes, situated in the south-east of Belgium, are one of nature's unspoilt areas, rich in fauna and flora

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The Ardennes The Ardennes, situated in the southeast of Belgium, are one of nature's unspoilt areas, rich in fauna and flora, with vast forests of broadleaf and fir, hills and fast flowing rivers. Visitors can wander through the many picturesque villages nestling in the valleys where traditions and folklore still live on, and where the region's arts and crafts can be enjoyed.

Springtime in the Ardennes is the season for walking, cycling, fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Horse riding, climbing and mountain biking are other examples of popular sports in the Ardennes. The keen mountaineer has an exciting choice of challenges. In winter, the Ardennes are a fun paradise for downhill and cross country skiers, or perhaps you prefer tobogganing and snow scooter racing. There is action, even underground. Some of the caves are certainly worth a visit.

Amid the greenery lie the silent witnesses of the past of the Ardennes, such as castles, forts and citadels. They come to life again during special events and displays where knights and their shield bearers turn the neighbourhood into a battlefield.

There are accommodation facilities to fit every budget. There is a choice of holiday cottages, shared accommodation, chalets and 'bed-and-breakfast' accommodation. Alternatively, why not spend the night in a beautifully restored castle.

The Belgian coast The coast's 65 kilometre long stretch of sandy coastline has 15 resorts, each with its own character and unique atmosphere. The sandy beaches are ideal for children. The beaches shelve gently out to sea, and life guards ensure everyone's safety. Sunbathers have found that they acquire a healthier tan here than in southern Europe, thanks to the iodine and salt in the air.

The Belgian coast offers a wide range of sport and recreation facilities.

Here you can hire a bicycle or a buggy, or go sailing or fishing. The wide beach is ideal for ball games, horse riding and beach surfing.

The summer months are the busiest period for the coast. However, other seasons have their own charms, even if sunbathing is not part of it. There are plenty of alternatives on the coast.

Close by, there is Bruges, one of Belgium's finest cities of art. A visit to this historic city is a must.

Cities of Art For a small country, Belgium has a remarkable number of cities of art: Bruges, Brussels, Antwerp, Bergen, Liege, Ghent… Each of these cities has a lot in store for you and is a choice destination for a city trip.

Do you like the idea of coming face to face with the paintings of Rubens, Ensor or Van Eyck in the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp? Or do you want to go straight to the Rubens House Museum? Alternatively, does a visit to the house of the Art Nouveau architect Victor Horta, in Brussels, have greater appeal? Perhaps you simply prefer to stroll

through the picturesque little streets of Bruges.

All cities of art in Belgium have sufficient diversity and quality 'in-house', to provide you with an agreeable stay.

What's more, this not only applies to museums and monuments. After a visit to the museum, the enjoyment of a delicious meal with a glass of wine or Belgian beer in one of the many restaurants is a must. When in Antwerp, you can take a trip afterwards in a horse-drawn carriage through the old city centre. In Bruges, a boat trip along the Bruges canals will undoubtedly go down well. In the Moules frites wth evening, you will then be ready for a rose and pastis dazzling cultural program or for a night out in the convivial surroundings of our pubs.

Families with children will find enough variety in between all these cultural activities to make a party of it for them too. After all, there will always be

The streets of Brussels feature art and architecture created from an unmistakably Belgian point of view that cannot be replicated an event somewhere, like a festival or a colourful brass band passing by.

Brussels

Brussels Brussels is quickly gaining a reputation as one of Europe's must-see destinations, with its small town charm, trendy bars and restaurants, fabulous food, great nightlife, fantastic shopping, numerous museums, and other attractions including the diverse and interesting exhibitions and festivals organized there every year.

Brussels is also becoming known as a mecca of style, art, and design. While attracting more and more big names in international fashion to its growing shopping districts, home-grown Belgian designers are rapidly gaining global notoriety. The streets of Brussels feature art and architecture created from an unmistakably Belgian point of view that cannot be replicated. This beautiful city is a centre for fashion, art, and Belgian culture.

Brussels “must sees” are: the Grand Place, a unique mix of beautiful 17th century architecture and modern social life; Town Hall - this Gothic-style tower remains one of Belgium's finest civic buildings; the Royal Palace, a stunning palace in the heart of Brussels that is open for public visits; the infamous Manneken Pis statue serves as an symbol of the spirit and humour of Brussels; Coudenberg – archaeological remains of a prestigious palace dating back to the Middle Ages; the Royal Saint Hubert Galleries, home to lively cafes and one-of-a-kind boutiques; Atomium - built for the 1958 World's Fair in Brussels, now the city's most popular attraction; Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula, beautiful Cathedral at the centre of Brussels; the Place du Grand Sablon – Classic European architecture, now houses high-class antiques stores, restaurants, and chocolate shops. ■ Sources: Belgium.be, VisitBelgium.com Antwerp

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Darko Milosavljević, Director Vlajkoviceva 25/I

11000 Beograd Phone :+ 381/63/447-445 dmilosavljevic@darison.rs DE VALK d.o.o. / EUROTEP d.o.o.

VALCKE Johan, General Manager, Aleksandra Petrić, Director Prvomajska 45, 26000 Pancevo Tel:+381 13 304-977 office@eurotep.rs www.devalk.co.rs DELHAIZE SERBIA Ioannis or John Kyritsis, Director, Jurija Gagarina 14 11070 Novi Beograd Phone: +381 11 7153 400 office@delhaize.rs http://www.delhaizegroup.com http://www.maxi.rs DUCO d.o.o. Živko Cvejin, Director Vojvođanska 15 / lokal 2 11070 Beograd Tel: + 381 11 217 62 82 info@duco.com http://www.duco.rs/ ELECTRAWINDS- S doo Kurt Derieuw, Director Vladimira Popovica 8 11070 Beograd Phone: +381 11 66 00 955 kurt.derieuw@electrawinds.be http://www.electrawinds.be ENERGO ZELENA Tamara Drecun Vasić, Director Železnička bb 22320 Inđija Phone: +381 22 800 450 office@energozelena.rs www.energozelena.rs GOVI BALKAN d.o.o.

Gavro Milinković, Director Katarine Ivanović 6/Gavrila Principa 5, 15000 Sabac Phone : +381/15/34-71-29 info@govi.com http://www.govi.com GUIDANCE a.d.

BAJIC Nebojsa, Director Brankova 7, 11000 Beograd Phone: + 381 11 2629 550 nbajic@guidance.rs kontakt@guidance.rs www.guidance.rs IBA Molecular Peter Leitner Chemin du Cyclotron, 31348 Louvain-la-Neuve Phone :+ 3210201230 Peter.leitner@iba-group.com , Info-cyclo@iba-group.com ICTTI-International Centre for Technology and Knowledge Transfer, Partnership and Innovation Dr Hugo van Veghel, Board member, chairman Narodnog Fronta 73a 51-52, 21000 Novi Sad Phone: +381 21 6364980 h.vanveghel@ictti.org http://ictti.org

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INOSTONE d.o.o.

GRUJIC Dejan, Director Vojvode Bogdana 38 11120 Beograd Tel:+381 11 2424436 inosyub@eunet.rs INOUTIC / DECEUNINCK Dragan Stevanović, Director Kruzni Put bb, Lestane 11309 Beograd Phone: +381/11/344-32-17 drast@beotel.net www.deceuninck.com http://www.inoutic.hr INPHARM CO. D.o.o.

Viljem Jovanovic, Director Cara Dusana 266 11080 Zemun Tel:+381 11 3073900 office@inpharm.rs www.inpharm.rs Milica.rakic@inpharm.rs IZOLACIJA a.d.

Aleš Slavec, predsednik UO, Biljana Simatović, Izvršni direktor, Kumodraska 257 11000 Beograd Tel:+ 381 11 3986615 biljana.simatovic@izolacija.rs izolacija@izolacija.rs www.izolacija.rs KBC BANKA a.d.

Avram MILENKOVIC, CEO Omladinskih brigada 90v, 11070 Beograd Tel:+381 11 30 50 300 office@kbcbanka.rs www.kbcbanka.rs Kenzai Group d.o.o.

Patrick Geeraert Žorža Klemansoa 19 (objekat “Carpetland”) 11000 Beograd Tel: +381 11 785 28 28 inf@kenzaigroup.com www.contractworld.rs www.carpetland.rs LEVER Inzenjering d.o.o.

Ljubiša Popović, Director Ustanicka 64/XVII, 11000 Beograd Phone: + 381/11/3089-354 www.firestonebpe.com , www.renolit.com www.soprema.be METECH d.o.o.

KNABE Walter, General Director Djura Salaja 17 11300 Smederevo Tel:+ 381 26 644800 office@metech-srbija.com www.metech-srbija.com www.metes.be MINEL-SCHREDER d.o.o.

VUCKOVIC Bratislav, General Manager Tosin bunar 51, 11080 Zemun Tel:+ 381 11 2614477 office@minel-schreder.rs www.minel-schreder.rs MONDI SERBIA d.o.o.

KRUNIC Goran, Director

Vrdila 211 A , 36000 Kraljevo Tel :+381 36 823-020 mondiserbia@eunet.rs, goran.krunic@mondiserbia.rs www.mondiserbia.rs PERISKAL d.o.o.

Milorad Smiljanić, Director Decanska 13/6, Bitoljska 14/1 11000, Beograd +381 11 23 91 360 Fax. +381 11 23 91 360 office@periskal.rs http://www.periskal.rs/ PLANTA SPONTANEA d.o.o.

Daniela Curbillon-Čonić Kralja Petra Prvog. bb 19220 Donji Milanovac Phone : +381/30/590-247 plantaspont@nadlanu.com POLY DEC d.o.o.

DJORDJEVIC Marina, Manager Pere Todorevica 15 11030 Beograd Tel:+381 11 305.94.23 office@polydec.rs www.polydec.rs PROFEX D d.o.o.

STEVANOVIC Dragan, Manager Koste Jovanovica 35 11000 Beograd Tel:+381 11 3910-907 profexd@eunet.rs PRVI PARTIZAN Dobrosav Andrić, Director Miloša Obrenovića 2 31000 Uzice Tel: +381 31 563 478 office @prvipartizan.com www.prvipartizan.com PURATOS d.o.o.

DJORDJEVIC Orfej, General Manager, Autoput za Zagreb 41 11070 Novi Beograd Tel:+381 11 3171-250 office@puratos.rs www.puratos.co.rs RADIJATOR INZENJERING d.o.o.

Milan Janjić, Director Živojina Lazića Solunca br.6 36000 Kraljevo Phone:+ 381036399140 milan@radijator.rs radijator@tron-inter.net http://www.radijator.rs/ RAVAGO LAMBDA SR Nenad Đurić, Director Cara Dušana 207a 11080 Zemun Phone: +381 11 7151 250 n.djuric@ravago.rs http://www.ravago.rs/ RESINEX FAC d.o.o.

Masarikova 1 21000 Novi Sad Phone : +381 21 472 18 36 office@resinex-fac.rs http://resinex-fac.rs RESINEX SRBIJA Vladan Šotra, Director Cara Dušana 205a 11080 Zemun

Phone : +381 11 30 72 528, 589 v.sotra@resinex.rs , office@resinex.rs http://www.resinex.rs REYNAERS ALUMINIUM Sretenovic Sasa, General Manager, Milutina Milankovica 27 11070 Novi Beograd Tel:+ 381 11 713 2177 sasa.sretenovic@reynaers.com www.reynaers.com SOCIETE MINIERE DE BELOGRADCHIK Bulgarie : Quartier Zdravets 35 – etage 2 3900 Belogradchik Phone : +359 888 969 196 Serbia- Resavica miniere@wautelet.net , j.c.rombeaux@skynet.be www.chasseautresorfrancophone-sofia.org STYLOS d.o.o.

Natalija Pavić, Director Futoski put 67 21000 Novi Sad Tel:+ 381 21 489-16-00 info@stylos.rs www.stylos.rs SUNCE MARINKOVIC d.o.o.

Ljubiša Marinković, Director Lepenicki bulevar 39 34000 Kragujevac Phone:+ 381/34/301-485 office@suncekg.rs www.suncemarinkovic.com SUPER CANDY d.o.o.

RISTIC Sandra, Director Bul. Zorana Djindjica 75 11070 Novi Beograd Tel:+381 11 2120554 super.candy@sezampro.rs www.lachocolate.rs sandra.ristic@siol.net TARA INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING d.o.o Hugo A.M. van Veghel, Director Narodnog Fronta 73A/51-52 21000 Novi Sad Mob:+ 381 60 525 00 20 Tel:+ 381 21 63 666 12 info@tara-internationalconsulting.eu h.vanveghel@taraic.eu www.taraic.eu TAVROS d.o.o.

CANAK Jovan, General Manager, Milutina Milankovica 76 11070 Novi Beograd Tel:+ 381 11 318.06.40 Fax :+381 11 318.82.79 tavros@eunet.rs www.tavros.com TERMOVENT KOMERC PEROVIC Dusan, Director Suboticka 23, 11000 Beograd Tel: +381 11 3087 966 info@termovent.rs www.termovent.rs TRIVAX VV d.o.o.

Gordana Filipović, Director Trice Kaclerovica 24a 11000 Beograd

Phone :+ 381/11/246-3149 Katarina.trikic@trivax.com ULTRAPOLYMERS d.o.o.

Milan Janković, Director Antifašističke borbe 25 11070 Novi Beograd Phone :+ 381112122 035 jelena.stefanovic@ultrapolymers.co.rs http://www.ultrapolymersgroup.com/ URADI SAM d.o.o.

Niko Matthijas, Director Djordja Stanojevica 35 11070 Novi Beograd Tel:+ 381 11 22 84 686 info@uradi-sam.rs www.uradi-sam.rs VIRMAX d.o.o Vladimir Brkić, Director Miloša Ćosića 18 32000 Čačak Phone: +381 32 222 601 Vladimir.brkic@virmax.rs office@virmax.rs http://www.virmax.rs/ VIZZION EUROPE SA Georges Chebib, JOVICIC Rasko Diplomatska kolonija 22 11000 Beograd Tel:+ 381 11 3676.502 rasko.jovicic@vizzion-europe.com www.vizzion-europe.com PREDSTAVNIŠTVO VIZZION EUROPE Sefik Birkiye, Director Šekspirova 15 11000 Beograd Phone:+ 381/11/3941062 mail@vizzion-europe.com www.vizzion-europe.com WILHELM & Co. Ul.Koste Glavinica 9/5 11000 Belgrade Phone :+ 381 649427791 www.wilhelmandco.be WINDVISION OPERATIONS doo Johan Wilfried Theo Vos, Danilo Drndarski Obilićev venac 18-20 11000 Beograd Phone:+ 381/11/328.35.27 Danilo.drndarski@windvision.com http://www.windvision.com X POINT Miodrag Milanović, Director Internacionalnih brigada 54 11000 Beograd Phone :+ 381/11/30 86 897 office@xpoint.rs misa.milanovic@xpoint.rs YUBE d.o.o.

Bjorn Bart Schuermans, Jadranka Stojanović Brace Micica 66 31210 Pozega Tel :+381 31 823-043 Fax :381 31 812-825 j.stojanovic@dirafrost.be www.dirafrost.be

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Exclusive distributor for Serbia: MEDACOM DOO Tel. 018/200-252; www.berghoff.rs

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