Wallonia land of creativity

The key to economic growth lies in creativity and in the ability to translate creativity into creative economic outcomes in the form of new ideas, new high-tech businesses and regional growth. Wallonia approaches the global economy utilizing a comprehensive framework for community and economic development.

Wallonia is a land of talent: as the global economy becomes more competitive, we achieve to attract and retain the brightest talent, as well as provide the necessary skills training and education opportunities to stay competitive.

Wallonia is a land of technology: our companies, research centers and universities have the avenues for transferring research, ideas and innovation into marketable and sustainable products.

Wallonia is a land of tolerance: we know that economic prosperity relies on cultural, entrepreneurial, civic, scientific, and artistic creativity. Wallonia is a place that is receptive to immigration, alternative lifestyles and new views on social status and power structure.

Wallonia, is a welcoming and successful region that has taken control of its future and welcomes you with open arms!

Wallonia is the capital of Europe's doorstep, at the heart of a market of 400 million consumers where businesses can be set up and develop in a favourable environment.

A place of innovation and competitiveness where men and women can develop their abilities, deploy their skills and flourish professionally.

A highly attractive and competitive region offering businesses smart tax regulations and a broad system of financial assistance customised to meet their requirements.

An area of great quality that is open and welcoming to the world; a region where authorities promote creativity and initiative; a land of warmth, friendliness, culture and traditions.

Discover Wallonia > The plan

Creative Wallonia is a plan that places creativity and innovation at the core of Wallonia’s economy and society.

This plan is built around three axes:

1. Promoting a society of creativity 2. Fertilising innovative practices 3. Supporting innovative production

We urge you to examine all of the plan's measures and to consult its website.

Discover Wallonia > Discover Wallonia in video

Discover Wallonia > Statistical profile

Discover Wallonia > 10 good reasons to invest

A region of growth

1. Create > Where the heart of Europe beats

Setting up in Wallonia means working where the heart of Europe beats, in the immediate vicinity of the largest European cities, major international institutions and the headquarters of numerous multinationals.

2. Reach > 65% of the European market accessible in a few hours

Businesses that set up in Wallonia can reach 65% of the European market in a few hours thanks to some of the most efficient transport networks and logistic capacities in Europe: road transportation, high speed trains, waterways, and air transportation.

3. Grow > 130 state-of-the-art business parks

In Wallonia businesses develop in a favourable environment with, in particular, 130 fully serviced Business Parks, 6 Science Parks connected to universities and research centres, and 1,700 ha of readily available real estate.

Men and women

4. Innovate > 11,000 researchers serving innovation

With 9 university centres, 300 research centres, 11,000 researchers and 20 centres of excellence, Wallonia has huge resources serving business performance.

5. Manufacture > Productivity 20% higher than the European average

Wallonia is a region where efficiency at work is a key advantage. This talent for performance is associated with a quality education system and a vocational training system in which considerable resources are invested.

Next 5 reasons >

Discover Wallonia > 10 good reasons to invest

Enhancing your competitiveness

6. Take advantage > Of smart corporate taxation

In Wallonia, people know how to take advantage of smart business taxation that has become one of the most competitive among countries in the Euro zone, both for businesses and for expatriates.

7. Benefit > From financial incentives and access to capital

This political will is accompanied by considerable financial assistance at all stages of a company's development. A complete system that, thanks to privileged access to capital, makes Wallonia one of the most attractive regions in Europe.

A tradition of openness

8. Export > Wallonia, a region naturally open to the world

Wallonia is a region naturally open to the world that increases trade with adjacent and distant countries each year thanks to an open frame of mind, high quality products and modern infrastructures.

9. Communicate > Know each other to innovate better

The competitiveness of businesses is a priority in Wallonia. In a serene industrail relations climate, the government and authorities actively participate in this through sizeable incentives, and maintaining close relations with labour and management.

10. Relax > Nature, culture, leisure, fun, etc

Nature, culture, leisure: Wallonia offers a wealth of attractions: friendliness, age-old traditions and a sense of welcome and of relaxation. But beyond its obvious assets, the following are also easy to find: spacious accommodation, accessible schools and an efficient health and social protection system.

< Previous 5 reasons

Discover Wallonia > Real Estate Markets

State of the logistics and semi-industrial real estate market in Wallonia:

Real estate activity on the semi-industrial and logistics market this year was concentrated above all in Hainaut Province, followed by Liège Province, with the Namur region (where the stock remains very low) trailing far behind.

The 2010 total take-up in Wallonia was some 180,000m², which was of the order of 45% higher than in 2009.

The semi-industrial prime rent remained stable at €41/m²/yr, despite a slight dip in the third and fourth quarters. In the logistics subsector, the prime rent remained in a slump at €35-37/m²/yr throughout 2010 after plummeting in 2009.

For the future, all eyes continue to be focused on the Trilogiport multimodal platform.

Office market >

Discover Wallonia > Real Estate Markets

State of the office market in Wallonia:

There were no major transactions in Wallonia's office market in general this year, with the noteworthy exception of the prerental of 60% of the Alleur Office Park by CMI and Deloitte.

Take-up was the lowest posted since 2004.
Prime rents remained completely stable in Namur and Liège. However, an exceptional transaction of €130/m²/yr was made at Charleroi's aeronautics cluster (Aéropôle). The mean for Charleroi was up, at €125/m²/yr in the office parks.

The quality of offices in Liège has not improved, and this continues to hobble the local market's expansion, despite its still great potential.

< Logistics and semi-industrial market Growing sale & leaseback trend >

Discover Wallonia > Real Estate Markets

Growing sale & leaseback trend:

The current trend is increasingly that of turning to sale & leaseback transactions. Businesses derive many advantages from such an arrangement, including:

Concentrating on their core business whilst outsourcing their real property management.

Raising cash quickly.

Reaping generally high selling prices.

Making new investments to offset the financial costs of leasing.

Replacing a prior debt if the terms of the sale & lease back operation are more favourable than those of the preceding loan.

Possibility of diversifying investments.

Deleveraging.

Strengthening the balance sheet structure: Interesting for companies listed on the stock exchange.

Having more flexibility in the event of a new acquisition or restructuring.

Keeping a buyback option at the contract's expiry.

Depending on the case, tax savings.

Benefiting from a starting rent that is less than the cost of repaying a loan over the same period as the lease.

The largest sale & leaseback transaction in Belgium occurred in the Walloon Region. This was the sale of 72,000 m² of logistics property by TDG Mond in Welkenraedt.

< Office market