Investment Regulations and Incentives

Belgium has a strong record of promotion and support of foreign investment. This tradition, although substantially curbed during the last years as a result of the tougher EC and now EU policies on subsidies, still exists in a multitude of forms. Incentives are mainly granted at the regional level, but some tax incentives are still granted by the federal authorities.

a) Incentives in General

"Large" enterprises (i.e., employing more than 250 persons or with a turnover of more than 20 million ECU) which are established in "development areas" may be granted the following:

- interest reduction subsidies on the funds borrowed from Belgian lending institutions by the investor in the form of a percentage of the investment, up to 6%;