25% rise in investment projects in Flanders

Bourgeois described 2015 as “an outstanding year” for attracting foreign inward investment to Flanders. “The most important aspect is the jobs we are able to create, and the revival of confidence in our industry,” he said. The total investment came to €2.7 billion, with the creation of 4,352 jobs.

The United States remains Flanders’ main investor, accounting for 53 projects, followed by the Netherlands, the UK, Germany, China and France.

Bourgeois now goes to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland with the goal of attracting more new investment to Flanders. “I’ll be seeing top people from across the world,” he said. “Nowhere else is it possible in such a short time to make so many contacts. I’ll be sketching out the attractions Flanders has to offer, in the hope of bringing in even more jobs and wealth.”

The number of inward investment projects rose from 184 in 2014 to 227 in 2015. The total investment was slightly down from €2.77 billion to €2.70 billion, but the number of jobs created increased from 4,164 to 4,352, according to Flanders Investment & Trade. 

Photo: A seminar organised by Flanders Investment & Trade and Unizo
©Peter De Schryver