Transport and logistics
Belgium is the perfect country in which to set up a European logistics base, headquarters or distribution centre because the country's infrastructure, skilled workforce and the IT opportunities it affords make it an ideal location from which to conquer the European market.
Central location
One of the key reasons for selecting Belgium as a 'launch pad' is its location at the heart of Europe, lying between northern and Mediterranean Europe. Paris (an 80-minute train journey away), London (111 minutes), Amsterdam (113 minutes) and Frankfurt (202 minutes) are all less than 300 km away and Belgium's very highly developed transport network, comprising roads, waterways, railways and airports enables both passengers and freight to be transported quickly and easily.
European logistics centre
Another key component in Belgium's transport infrastructure is its many seaports, including Antwerp, the second largest European port and the fourth largest in the world. Since 2005, container transport in Belgium has been booming. Seaports, inland ports and logistics and distribution centres are seizing the associated opportunities with both hands and are growing rapidly.
Future prospects
The boom in the transport sector has prompted a number of projects, which are not just designed to generate added value, but are also creating additional jobs. Such projects include the expansion of the Deurganck Dock in Antwerp, APM Terminals in Zeebrugge, TriLogiPort in Liège and new sites at the port of Brussels.
The ongoing development of logistics areas around Brussels Airport, the mounting importance of Liège Airport and the establishment of logistics parks nationwide are also shoring up overall growth in the transport sector.