Business trip to Brussels, Belgium.
Being the capital city of the nation, Brussels is home to the major Belgian companies including the Glaverbel, Solvay and SN Brussels Airlines. Some of the foreign companies with a presence in the city are AT&T, IBM, Sony, Toyota and Hewlett Packard. Building on it’s geographic location at the heart of Europe, excellent transport infrastructure, highly trained multi-lingual workforce along with favorable fiscal regimes, Brussels provide home to nearly 2000 foreign companies including 1400 American companies and over 1000 international associations.
Read more...The presence of some 60 foreign banks has contributed in making Brussels the 7th biggest financial market in the world. Countries like America, Sweden, United Kingdom, Switzerland, France, Germany and Japan have financial links with Brussels.
Brussels is also the 2nd most important industrial center of the nation after Antwerp. The industries in the city are specialized in high-tech sectors. However, the tertiary sectors like banking and financial services, tourism and transport accounts for nearly 80 percent of all jobs in the capital.
Brussels is the paradise of congresses as it welcomes nearly 16.000 business congresses annually. It has a long history of hosting some renowned conventions and conferences like 5th Solvay Conference in 1927 and 3rd International Modern Architecture Congress in 1930. Many world fairs and expositions also take place in Brussels of which some the most famous held till now are the Exposition Universelle et Internationale (1935) and the World Expo ’58. Brussels is one of the most important cities of Belgium organizing trade shows and expos at its famous venue Brussels Exhibition Center.
For more in-depth information I suggest you buy and read the "Global Business Etiquettes" book.
- Communication:
Use formal names and academic titles.
Belgians are not direct, they prefer subtlety to directness.
Dress formal and conservative. Men should wear shoes with laces. - Meetings and negotiations:
Be very punctual, if you suspect you will late, call and explain the situation.
Never cancel a meeting at the last minute.
Remain standing until invited to sit down or others do so.
Some time is spent to getting to know you before the business conversation begins.
Agenda’s are strictly followed.
First appointments are more socially oriented, they would like to know you a bit better at first.
Keep your presentation as short as possible, to the point, accurate and precise, do not exaggerate.
Prepare for long discussions.
Follow up a meeting with a letter with all agreements outlined. - Table manners:
Wait until you are appointed a seat.
Avoid alcohol if possible, otherwise drink little.
If making a toast, stand up.
Put a napkin on your lap, eat not too much but finish your plate.
Keep your hands above the table when eating.
After finishing your plate lay your knife and fork parallel on your plate with the handles to the right.
Thank your host at the end of the meal.
Belgium is divided ethnically into the Dutch-speaking Flemings and French-speaking Walloons, the 70,000 residents of the eastern German cantons, and the residents of the bilingual capital of Brussels. With a total of 10.7 million people, the population density is the second highest in Europe, after the Netherlands, and is heavily reliant on international trade for its prosperity.
The country boasts tremendous infrastructure and is regarded as an ideal hub for European transit and distribution. The cosmopolitan nature of Belgium and its mix of Germanic and Latin cultures make it an ideal European test market for foreign products and services.
The Belgian market is small enough that a huge European-wide commitment to a new product is not necessary, yet diverse and competitive enough that it offers a representative sample of potential buyers and competitors. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Belgium’s GDP in 2007 grew by 2.8% over the previous year (to € 245 billion), whereas the Euro area grew by 2.6%.
The standard of living in Belgium is among the highest in the world, as it boasts excellent food, housing, health-care, education and infrastructure, as well as high productivity and low poverty.
Some facts in a list:
| Currency | Euro |
| Time zone | GMT +1 |
| Population | 10.414.336 |
| Area | 30.528 sq km |
| Population density | 341/sq km |
| GDP | € 283.470.000.000 |
| GDP/per capita | € 25.275 |
  | Product tip: Keep an eye on the size of your trolley Many luggage stores sell suitcases described as ’carry-on’, but these suitcases are sometimes larger than the size most airlines will accept. The safe maximum size is 114 cm, in the form of a 55 x 40 x 20 cm bag. Some airlines allow up to as much as 140 cm, but most do not. Not only do luggage stores and manufacturers seldom tell you if their bag is legally sized or not, but they also frequently mis-measure their bag. Their measurements generally are for the inside of the main compartment, and assume that any external pockets are of zero thickness, rather than stuffed full of things (which can easily add another inch or more) and ignore any external framing such as wheels and carry handle (which can also add another couple of inches). |
Terminal info
Connectivity from the airport
Train
Brussels Airport has a train station in the basement of the terminal. The Airport City Express leaves from the station Zaventem (Airport) four times per hour to stations Brussel-Zuid, Brussel-Centrum and Brussel-Noord, a one-way ticket costs €2.60. Liège and Leuven are also directly accessible from the airport by train. A direct train to Antwerp will be completed in 2010. See also the website for Belgian Railroads (tel: +32(0)2 528 2828).
Taxi
Taxis stand outside of the Arrivals Hall. Cars with a proper permit identify themselves with a yellow and blue sticker, a ride to the center of Brussels costs approximately €30.00.
Keep the following tips in mind if you need to order a taxi during your business trip to Brussels.
The driver must start the meter at the start of the journey. At the end of the journey you’ll be given a printed receipt. Unless pre-booked, only taxis bearing the official Brussels taxi sign are licensed to take you.
Three elements make up the price of a taxi ride::
- the price per km (1,23 € or 2,46 € depending on whether the journey is inside or outside the 19 districts of Brussels);
- fixed charge: 2,40 € (4,40 € at night);
- the waiting time: 23,00 € per hour; certain companies charge reduced fares for journeys to the airport.
Tips and service are included in the price of the journey as shown on the meter, but a small extra tip is always well-received. For all complaints, first of all note the registration number of the taxi, its make and colour.
| Company name | Phone number |
| Saratax | +32 2 2190279 |
| Taxi CityCapital | +32 2 4277777 |
| Text | +32 2 2422944 |
| Taxi La Mirage | +32 2 4200911 |
| Taxis Verts | +32 2 3494130 |
There are many top restaurants in Brussels suitable for business diners and lunches. Belgians take their food serious! The following small selection of restaurants are a good choice for a business diner:
Alain Cornelis
A restaurant with a somewhat grand, traditional ambiance, with cuisine and service in the same vein. Garden terrace close to an ornamental pool. Set menu and à la carte choices.
avenue Paul Janson 82
1070 Bruxelles
Tel: 02 523 20 83
www.alaincornelis.be (Only in French)
Atrium Restaurant
Graced with tropical greenery and the remains of a 12th century Romanesque wall, this charming restaurant is a perfect place to enjoy Belgian and world cuisines.
Wolvengracht 47
1000 Brussels
Tel: 02 227 31 70
sites.resto.com (Only in Dutch and French)
Les Salons de L’Atalaïde
After a long period of renovating Les Salons de L’Atalaïde has re-opened again. The magical Oriental atmosphere is still there! If you are on a business trip to Brussels, this is a great restaurant for entertaining your hosts.
Chaussée de Charleroi 89
1060 Brussels
Tel: 02 534 65 56
www.lessalons.be (Only in French)
Shogun Restaurant
An authentic Japanese restaurant proposing classical sushi and sashimi served by waiters/waitresses in traditional dress.
Rue Capitaine Crespel 10
1050 BRUSSELS
Tel. : 02.512.83.19
www2.resto.be/shogun
Tips to save money on hotel costs during your business trip to Brussels.
To get the best price for a good hotel room during your business trip to Brussels it's not only important to compare the prices the hotel charges for a room, but also compare the prices of the different booking agencies.
This can save you, or your company, a lot of money!
- Go to this hotel listing for Brussels.
- Select the "Check-in" and "Check-out" date.
- Select filters like: "Hotel brand", "Ratings", "Location" and "Price ranges".
- Select the hotel you like.
- You will get an overview of the prices from up to 24 booking sites
- Select the best offer in the list and book the room!
We have selected the following established business hotels for your convenience:
Holiday Inn Garden Court Brussels Expo
The Hotel Holiday Inn Garden Court Brussels Expo enjoys a prime location within walking distance from Brussels Expo, the international Brussels Fair and Exhibition Centre. Only at 100m from the Atomium and the Bruparck, the Hotel Holiday Inn Garden Court Brussels Expo is connected with a direct metro line to Brussels City Centre and only at 30 min driving distance from Brussels Airport in Zaventem.
Avenue Imperatrice Charlotte 6
1020 Brussels
Tel: +32 (0) 2 478 70 80
More info about Holiday Inn Garden Court Brussels
Best Western Premier Park Hotel Brussels
The Best Western Premier Park Hotel Brussels is just 2 kilometers from the famous market square, Grand Place and is also very close to the European Parliament buildings, European Institutions and NATO.
E 40 Brussels - Ostend Bijgaarden, 1702
Phone: +32 (0)24666880
More info about Best Western Premier Park Hotel Brussels
NH Atlanta Hotel
Located 50m from the metro station De Brouckère and parallel to the main shopping street. From the hotel it is only a short trip to the Grand Place and to the European Community in the business district. Easily accessible from all highways. This hotel is the perfect base for business travelers.
7 Boulevard Adolphe Max.
1000 Bruselas. Brussels
Tel. +32.22.170120
More info about NH Atlanta Brussels Hotel
As an ambassador for Belgium, chocolate appears in all its glory in the shop windows of the craftsmen of chocolate-making. Lined up like trophies, the famous ‘pralines’ (individual filled chocolates) can be found in every display window, whether in the form of ‘Manons’, with ‘ganache’ (chocolate cream), praline, marzipan or nougatine filling, or even raised to new heights with pieces of walnut or filled with hazelnuts. Pralines are a great gift for your loved ones when your return from a business trip to Brussels!
Other craftsmen of confectionery, prepare cakes, truffles and ‘mendiants’ (almonds, dried figs, hazelnuts and raisins) for exquisite sensations. Is it even necessary to remind people that some of them have won the title of world champion and that others are the official purveyors to the royal court.
Finally, go to the area around the Grand-Place and try ‘spéculoos’, traditional, light, crispy biscuits, there. This is an ideal, light weight gift for your loved ones when you return from a business trip to Brussels!On this gourmet trail, connoisseurs will also be able to take a break or two wherever our famous beer is to be found. Brown, blond, special or fruity, it’s everywhere and, like chocolate, is prepared and enjoyed with great expertise.
Happy Tasting!
Make sure your health care insurance is sufficiently covered.
Maybe this is already covered in your regular health care insurance but often you will need to cover this with the travel insurance. Also a good travel insurance should cover the costs of travel for a relative in case of seriously illness or an accident.
The business trip travel insurance should also cover the costs of search, rescue and repatriation.
When you go on business trips on a regular basis, the easiest way to get insured is with an annual multi-trip insurance.
Keep in mind that you can also use this insurance for your pleasure trips so don`t forget to include to insure your leisure activities.
| General number | 112 |
| Police | 101 |
| Ambulance / Firebrigade | 100 |
| Missing children | 110 |
| Mental problems | 106 |
When you have any kind of emergency, getting help in the English language will be no problem.
We have gathered the translation of some convenient words and phrases in Dutch and French.
| English | Dutch | French |
| Hello | Hallo | Bonjour |
| Good morning | Goedemorgen | Bonjour |
| Good evening | Goedenavond | Bonsoir |
| Good night | Goedenacht | Bonsoir |
| Hi | Hi / Dag | Salut |
| Good bye | Tot ziens | Au revoir |
| See you soon | Tot ziens | A bientôt |
| Please | Alstublieft | S’il vous/te plaît |
| Thank you (very much) | Dank je/u (zeer) | Merci (beaucoup) |
| Excuse me | Neem me niet kwalijk | Excusez-moi |
| I’m sorry, but... | Het spijt me, maar... | Je regrette, mais... |
| That’s a shame | Dat is jammer | Quel dommage |
| May I... ? | Mag ik... ? | Puis-je... ? |
| Yes | Ja | Oui |
| No | Nee | Non |
| That depends | Dat hangt er van af | Cela dépend |
| I don’t know | Ik weet het niet | Je ne sais pas |
| I don’t think so | Ik denk het niet | Je ne crois pas |
| I suppose so | Ik denk het | Je suppose que oui |
| I think so | Dat denk ik | Je crois que oui |
| It doesn’t matter | Het doet er niet toe | Ça ne fait rien |
| I don’t mind | Het kan me niet schelen | Cela m’est égal |
| Of course | Natuurlijk / Zeker | Bien sûr |
| True | Waar | Vrai |
| With pleasure | Met plezier | Avec plaisir |
  |   |   |
