Belgium is an outward looking country heavily reliant on trade. The country boasts tremendous infrastructure and is regarded as an ideal transit and distribution headquarters. The cosmopolitan and international nature of Belgium makes it an ideal European test market for American products and services. The domestic market is small enough that a huge commitment to a new product in Europe is not necessary, yet it is so diverse and competitive that it gives a representative sample of potential European and major international competitors. Both the Belgian government and the Belgian people are very enthusiastic about international commercial industries. Its capital, Brussels, is an urbane city and home to the headquarters of the European Union and NATO, as well as hundreds of international institutions, associations and multinational corporations.

Equally important, Belgium has strong competitive advantages such as an excellent transportation infrastructure, high-quality industrial sites, and a skilled and productive workforce. Similarly, it is at the geographical center of Europe, located within a 375-mile radius of 70% of the 370 million EU inhabitants. With a population of 10.2 million in an area about the size of Maryland, Belgium offers exceptional possibilities to American companies interested in entering the European market or looking for a European headquarters. Transport to the entire EU and far beyond is made simple through Belgium's extensive transportation capabilities. Home to the second largest port in Europe, Antwerp, and one of the ten largest in the world, Belgium is connected to over 15,000 miles of waterways linking all major industrial regions. An outstanding network of roads, rails and inland waterways enable goods shipped into Antwerp to be moved quickly and cheaply to European manufacturing and distributions centers. The Belgium train system claims the densest network of trains on the European continent. All major European highways pass through Belgium, and its modern national airport allows for convenient air travel.