BELGIUM

Especially after the Economic Mission visit headed by Philip which took place in Turkey in 2012, after the signing of 14 contracts enabling cooperation between Turkish and Belgian companies, our economic relations have gained significant momentum.

Belgium's active role in the international economy and the fact that it is a good transition point for other European countries both physically and economically makes it a good partner in terms of the activities planned especially in Europe.

As it is the center of the European Union and many other international organizations, Belgium hosts a large number of staff of these institutions, making the country an important contact center in many sectors, including the construction sector.

Belgium is a country with high export potential and many products are re-exported. It is considered that this structure may allow to increase the export of products originating in our country.

The added value among existing products exported by Turkey and the addition of high-yield products, will be effective towards the closing of our foreign trade deficit with Belgium.

In particular, considering the increasing share of the services sector in GDP in Belgium, the export of electrical and non-electrical machinery and equipment, ready-made food products, as well as telecommunication products intended for the use of this sector, may be effective in increasing the export revenues of our country.

On the other hand, auto spare parts, garments and various textile products, construction materials and food products originating from our country continue to be attractive products in the Belgian market. In particular, the high quality of goods and services in the construction sector in Belgium would not be misrepresented as an important element in terms of bilateral cooperation opportunities.

One of the most prominent issues in the construction sector is the projects carried out by Belgium in the framework of economic cooperation and development programs carried out with underdeveloped countries, especially African countries. In these projects, it is believed that Belgium's ties with African countries from the past and the cooperation of Turkish contracting companies by combining their experiences in the sector will create a great synergy.

Similarly, Belgium explores the possibility of cooperation with democracies established after the Arab Spring, such as Libya. The knowledge and experience of Turkish contractors in these countries has the potential to turn into projects through partnership.

200,000 Turkish citizens living in Belgium is thought to be effective in increasing investments and Turkish exports in Belgium as well as in Turkey.

Increasing joint investment opportunities will be effective in increasing the export potential of our country. Due to labor costs in Belgium, industries such as textiles and iron and steel, furniture and other labor-intensive industries tend to leave the country.

On the other hand, there are opportunities to direct advanced agricultural technology to investments in our country. Preparing the appropriate infrastructure for these investments in our country may create a permanent export potential for the future.

Meanwhile, the Belgian State has shown great relevance to the work of the Marmara Group Foundation. The non-governmental organizations of the Belgian State, which occasionally participated in the Eurasian Economic Summits at the level of ministers and deputies, also occasionally host the activities of the Marmara Group Foundation and often participate.

Belgium attended the meeting held at the Palais d ’Egmont Palace that we organized with IRRI (Royal Institute for International Relations) at the level of Ministers.

The participation of around 400 people from Belgian intellectuals, academics and journalists to our workshop, in which François-Xavier De Donnea, the State Minister of the time took place, is in the memory of Marmara Group Foundation as a non-governmental organization.