Government reforms subsidies for international businesses

The changes include reducing the number of subsidy instruments from eight to four. The government’s foreign trade agency, Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT), is given a two-track role. FIT will provide generic support for four activities: exploratory trips outside the European Economic Area, participation in foreign trade shows and niche events, setting up an overseas prospecting office and creating product documentation and digital communications material.

The second track concerns project-oriented financing applied for by companies, enterprise groups and chambers of commerce on a case-by-case basis, with a special interest in growth countries and developing economies.

According to Claire Tillekaerts, director-general of FIT, research by the University of Leuven has shown that businesses that receive export subsidy sell on average 20% more than those that go it alone.

“Flanders lives from its exports,” said minister-president Geert Bourgeois, whose portfolio also includes foreign relations. “The FIT subsidies for international enterprise are hugely popular with Flemish exporters. To use the available resources more effectively in the future, we have worked out a new subsidy system with particular emphasis on beginner exporters and growth economies.”

FIT is planning a series of information evenings to explain the new rules, in Hasselt (23 March), Ghent (13 April), Antwerp (3 May) and Bruges (2 June).

Photo: Flemish representatives at an overseas trade fair last year
©Courtesy Flanders Investment & Trade