BRUSSELS — Belgium scores poorly in attracting the European headquarters of internationally active companies, but there is no indication of an exodus, an Ernst & Young study has revealed. The study was commissioned by the Dutch Economic Affairs Ministry in reaction to a warning from the Belgian chief of Dutch banking and finance firm ING, Michel Tilmant. He said in a recent interview that the most multinational firms had departed Belgium in the past decade. Tilmant warned the same fate could befall the Netherlands. However, the comments appear to be an exaggeration, Belgian financial newspaper 'De Tijd' reported on Friday.| "Pooh!" "Yes, pooh!" |
funny how the most competition-friendly country attracts for-profit businesses
Companies that have established a European headquarters in Belgium have appreciated the nation's language skills and labour costs. The Netherlands was advised that it should focus on companies active in the Benelux region. But do not yet have a European headquarters. Companies primarily from Belgium, Germany and Britain could be enticed away to the Netherlands, the report said.