Economic studies

Interview with HE Makita Shimokawa, Ambassador of Japan in Belgium (November 2022):

Interview with HE Roxane de Bilderling, Ambassador of Belgium in Japan (November 2022):

Kazakhstan is a young country (it became independent in 1991) with many natural resources and has almost all the elements in Mendeliev's table. However, the income from oil is particularly important.

The 1st part of this study outlines the macro-economic basis of Kazakhstan and its impact in terms of foreign trade. Then some opportunity sectors for our Belgian companies are presented. The study concludes with the chapter entitled "Etiquette", which deals with certain local customs that should facilitate local contacts.

This study was realised on the occasion of the Belgian economic mission to Kazakhstan in October 2010.

Document only available in French and Dutch.

As the third largest power within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Malaysia generates 13% of the region's wealth. In 2014, growth is estimated at 5.7%.

"Vision 2020" aims to increase GDP per capita and transition Malaysia from a "middle-income country" to a "high-income country". Several programmes are aimed at guiding the country towards the realisation of this ambitious challenge.

Malaysia does not lack assets to attract exporters. The liberalisation of its economy stimulates trade relations, attracts more foreign capital and contributes to the country's rise in international competitiveness rankings.

On the occasion of the joint Belgian economic mission from 22 to 28 November 2014, the Belgian Foreign Trade Agency has published an "economic study". The first chapter is dedicated to Malaysia's macroeconomic situation, while the second includes an analysis of four dynamic sectors in which the trade opportunities are numerous: Islamic finance, cleantech, construction and healthcare. This is followed by a selection of recent success stories of Belgian companies in Malaysia.

This study was realised on the occasion of the Belgian economic mission to Malaysia and Singapore in November 2014.

Document only available in French and Dutch.

Mexico has a large internal market, which is growing thanks to the reforms carried out under the ambitious Pacto por México programme. The country also has an extensive network of international trade agreements. New agreements with both the European Union and the United States & Canada are also in the pipeline. It is therefore an excellent time to discover the market.

This study was realised on the occasion of the Belgian economic mission to Mexico in February 2019.

Document only available in French and Dutch.

The Moroccan economy has undergone a strong transformation in the last twenty years and is in a very strong position today. A stable GDP growth of around 4% is expected in the coming years while inflation, interest and exchange rate are also stable. Morocco's ambition to serve as a bridge between Europe and Africa, along with other assets discussed in the study, make the country an attractive haven for investment. Additional focus in this study is on the logistics and transportation sector, infrastructure and energy.

This study was realised on the occasion of the Belgian economic mission to Morocco in November 2018.

Document only available in French and Dutch.