BELGIAN FOREIGN TRADE AGENCY FOREIGN TRADE STATISTICS 1-9/216 9/216 For further informa on Belgian Foreign Trade Agency Rue Montoyer 3 B-1 Brussels Belgium Studies and sta s cs Christelle Charlier Director +32 2 26 35 78 christelle.charlier@abh-ace.be Dennis Gijsbrechts Sta s cs Administrator +32 2 26 35 73 dennis.gijsbrechts@abh-ace.be Sammy Sioen Sta s cs Administrator +32 2 26 35 63 sammy.sioen@abh-ace.be David Leffler Assistant +32 2 26 35 64 david.leffler@abh-ace.be
1 BELGIAN FOREIGN TRADE 1-9/216 X 1. EXPORTS IMPORTS BALANCE COVER RATIO 1-9/215 268.745.417, 254.98.813,7 14.646.63,3 15,8 1-9/216 264.256.73, 241.983.547,9 22.272.525,1 19,2 % VARIATION 1-9/216-1-9/215-1,7-4,8 PER CONTINENT EXPORTS IMPORTS COVER X 1. 1-9/216 % Tot. 1-9/216 % Tot. RATIO Europe 22.444.275, 76,6 164.213.46,6 67,9 123,3 Asia 28.51.146,3 1,8 39.22.873,6 16,2 72,7 America 21.728.644,3 8,2 29.648.99,7 12,3 73,3 Africa 8.546.412, 3,2 7.679.494,1 3,2 111,3 Oceania 1.572.938,4,6 774.94,2,3 23, Others 1.453.657,,6 446.679,8,2 325,4 TOTAL 264.256.73, 1, 241.983.547,9 1, 19,2 EXPORTS PER CONTINENT IMPORTS PER CONTINENT The figures in this brochure, provided by the Na onal Bank of Belgium and processed by the Belgian Foreign Trade Agency, are provisional results which have been par ally rec fied. Due to rounding off and/or changes in real me in the data base the totals in the various tables may differ from the sum of the sec ons (one digit a er the comma). The following sta s cal data are based upon the community concept and not upon the na onal concept that relies on the principle of economic residence. The community concept takes into considera on e.g. the import and export transac ons carried out by VAT registered non-residents without the interven on of residents. Returned goods are also taken into account. Source: EUROSTAT America 8,2% Asia 1,8% Africa 3,2% Oceania,6% Others,6% Europe 76,6% Asia 16,2% America 12,3% Africa 3,2% Oceania,3% Europe 67,9%
Belgium s top 2 customers 2 Belgium s top 2 suppliers 3 X 1. EXPORTS VAR. TOT. 1-9/215 1-9/216 % % X 1. IMPORTS VAR. TOT. 1-9/215 1-9/216 % % GERMANY 45.113.911,4 44.28.756,5-1,9 16,8 NETHERLANDS 42.846.323,1 36.871.196,7-14, 15,2 FRANCE 41.59.742,4 4.253.825,1-3, 15,2 GERMANY 32.284.68, 32.361.97,3,2 13,4 NETHERLANDS 3.684.391,3 29.119.687,6-5,1 11, FRANCE 23.869.46,4 22.37.175,3-6,5 9,2 UNITED KINGDOM 23.545.814,3 23.364.269,7 -,8 8,8 UNITED STATES 21.939.84, 2.697.755,3-5,7 8,6 UNITED STATES 16.353.69,8 15.647.32,1-4,3 5,9 UNITED KINGDOM 12.867.435,1 11.814.34,1-8,2 4,9 ITALY 13.652.35, 13.782.97,2 1, 5,2 CHINA 11.213.628,5 11.8.421,9-1,8 4,6 SPAIN 7.15.523,6 7.35.83,5,3 2,7 IRELAND 11.638.651,2 1.446.8,6-1,3 4,3 INDIA 5.977.243,4 6.468.172,3 8,2 2,5 ITALY 9.56.255,1 9.333.249,7-2,4 3,9 POLAND 5.11.498,2 5.24.332,6 4,6 2, JAPAN 5.597.882,9 6.153.475,6 9,9 2,5 CHINA 5.36.476,3 4.934.585,3-2, 1,9 RUSSIAN FEDERATION 6.567.38,4 5.846.212,1-11, 2,4 SWEDEN 4.12.752,3 4.361.51, 6,3 1,7 SPAIN 4.552.115,5 5.449.612,5 19,7 2,3 SWITZERLAND 3.52.192,4 4.8.85,2 16,5 1,5 SWEDEN 4.593.932,4 4.57.65,7 -,5 1,9 LUXEMBOURG 4.16.22,8 3.745.767,2-8,8 1,4 SINGAPORE 4.35.26,4 4.353.186,8 1,1 1,8 TURKEY 3.389.524,4 3.293.964,5-2,8 1,3 INDIA 3.25.476,9 3.379.525,7 5,4 1,4 AUSTRIA 2.736.553,7 2.668.489,8-2,5 1, SWITZERLAND 3.353.359,2 3.273.926,1-2,4 1,4 JAPAN 2.484.64,8 2.614.8, 5,2 1, TURKEY 2.552.974,2 2.812.73,5 1,2 1,2 UAE 2.417.76,7 2.69.414,6 8, 1, CZECH REPUBLIC 2.41.977,6 2.682.19,6 11,7 1,1 RUSSIAN FEDERATION 2.24.762,8 2.527.13,8 12,8 1, POLAND 2.792.195, 2.662.82,1-4,7 1,1 CZECH REP. 2.284.799, 2.37.92,4 1,,9 NORWAY 3.328.24,5 2.386.23,8-28,3 1, DENMARK 1.923.119,6 2.6.665,4 4,3,8 MEXICO 2.236.171,8 2.345.646,9 4,9 1,
4 5 Belgium s export sec ons Belgium s import sec ons BELGIAN EXPORTS SEPTEMBER VAR. JANUARY-SEPTEMBER VAR. % TOT. SECTIONS 215 216 % 215 216 % 216 Chemical products 7.432.854,2 6.718.72,6-9,6 66.51.99, 62.934.769, -4,7 23,8 Transport equipment 3.661.576,5 3.863.19,2 5,5 28.15.763,8 3.846.991, 9,8 11,7 Machinery and equipment 3.311.583, 3.334.749,2,7 28.487.575,2 28.17.94,2-1,1 1,7 Plastics 2.45.794,8 2.328.471,2-5, 21.793.845,9 21.275.312,5-2,4 8,1 Mineral products 2.441.878,8 2.34.66,7-5,6 25.195.512,4 19.372.967,1-23,1 7,3 Base metals 2.111.115,1 2.115.648,5,2 19.414.4,8 17.853.832,2-8, 6,8 Foodstuffs 1.658.442, 1.762.752,8 6,3 14.22.752, 14.799.446, 5,5 5,6 Precious metals and stones 1.26.28,2 1.652.776,6 37, 12.85.234,2 13.245.568, 9,6 5, Textiles 1.242.893,1 1.197.566,4-3,6 9.558.357,4 9.725.67,5 1,8 3,7 Optical instruments 1.61.775,6 1.88.868,1 2,6 9.295.22,5 9.452.857,7 1,7 3,6 Non-classified articles 56.896,7 87.311,7 43,9 4.983.92, 6.72.145,5 34,5 2,5 Vegetable products 686.567,9 673.86,8-2, 6.221.737,4 6.21.47,2 -,2 2,4 Live animals 643.1,3 631.19,2-1,8 5.488.644,8 5.33.645,3-3,4 2, Footwear, headgear and umbrellas 423.989,1 418.114, -1,4 3.97.197,9 4.457.491,1 12,3 1,7 Paper and paperboard 48.688,1 455.56, -5,2 3.979.13,8 3.918.991,2-1,5 1,5 Miscellaneous manufactured articles 427.37,6 451.66,3 5,5 3.349.314,6 3.513.513,6 4,9 1,3 Stone. Plaster. Cement. 293.261,5 289.7,3-1,2 2.527.28,3 2.446.68,1-3,2,9 Wood and articles of wood 189.756,1 198.522,5 4,6 1.752.88,1 1.768.693,9,9,7 Fats and oils 117.59,2 126.899,2 8,4 1.34.64,7 1.61.465,8 2,6,4 Raw hides and skins, leather 119.432,2 122.18,7 2,3 1.37.217,6 1.46.53,5,9,4 Works of art 9.548,3 7.574,3-2,7 15.521,6 95.599,1-9,4, Arms and ammunition 23.415, 9.62, -61,3 284.63,2 53.788,6-81,1, TOTAL 3.554.17,2 3.557.51,2, 268.745.417, 264.256.73, -1,7 1, BELGIAN IMPORTS SEPTEMBER VAR. JANUARY-SEPTEMBER VAR. % TOT. SECTIONS 215 216 % 215 216 % 216 Chemical products 6.668.51,3 5.843.933,3-12,4 57.197.99,7 54.242.333,4-5,2 22,4 Transport equipment 3.477.17,7 3.629.746,6 4,4 29.154.254,3 31.419.476,4 7,8 13, Machinery and equipment 3.472.799,2 3.439.224,7-1, 3.561.682,2 3.46.54,6 -,3 12,6 Mineral products 3.465.953,8 2.997.684,8-13,5 35.83.27,3 25.775.845,8-26,5 1,7 Base metals 1.87.549,8 1.786.184,8-1,2 17.285.335,2 15.485.95, -1,4 6,4 Plastics 1.512.389,5 1.52.665,2,5 13.88.621,6 13.655.944, -1,1 5,6 Precious metals and stones 1.234.694,5 1.584.896,7 28,4 12.125.25,8 12.679.172,9 4,6 5,2 Foodstuffs 1.167.373,2 1.19.36,8 2, 1.344.29,6 1.434.839,3,9 4,3 Optical instruments 938.339,8 892.14,5-4,9 8.524.441,6 8.244.738,5-3,3 3,4 Textiles 924.114,8 855.761,7-7,4 7.859.389,5 7.881.49,7,3 3,3 Vegetable products 798.532,7 818.581,8 2,5 7.587.78,6 7.592.45,8,1 3,1 Live animals 537.26,3 513.391,6-4,4 4.769.733,9 4.618.322,9-3,2 1,9 Miscellaneous manufactured articles 513.95, 521.568,4 1,7 4.8.915, 4.192.314,8 2,7 1,7 Paper and paperboard 438.2,5 429.976,4-1,8 3.923.111,1 3.798.985,3-3,2 1,6 Footwear, headgear and umbrellas 298.286,1 297.446,8 -,3 2.797.949,8 3.1.493,9 7,6 1,2 Stone. Plaster. Cement. 258.485,4 252.169,8-2,4 2.243.97,6 2.223.699,8 -,9,9 Non-classified articles 284.223,8 246.536,1-13,3 2.543.748, 2.214.923,9-12,9,9 Wood and articles of wood 198.171,6 195.69,9-1,6 1.915.16,3 1.898.924,7 -,8,8 Fats and oils 152.141,6 117.475,8-22,8 1.2.552,1 1.172.383, -2,3,5 Raw hides and skins, leather 91.779, 87.431,7-4,7 876.77, 869.322,4 -,8,4 Works of art 7.538,7 7.5, -,5 96.478,3 8.789,6-16,3, Arms and ammunition 12.849,6 4.744,9-63,1 119.224,2 31.982,3-73,2, TOTAL 28.258.433,8 27.232.42,3-3,6 254.98.813,7 241.983.547,9-4,8 1, BELGIUM'S TOP EXPORT SECTIONS Others 17,4% BELGIUM'S TOP IMPORT SECTIONS Others 16,4% Chemical products 23,8% Chemical products 22,4% Textiles 3,7% Optical instruments 3,4% Precious metals and stones 5,% Foodstuffs 4,3% Foodstuffs 5,6% Base metals 6,8% Transport equipment 11,7% Precious metals and stones 5,2% Plastics 5,6% Base metals 6,4% Transport equipment 13,% Mineral products 7,3% Plastics 8,1% Machinery and equipment 1,7% Mineral products 1,7% Machinery and equipment 12,6%
EU Belgian foreign trade within & outside the EU X 1. EXPORTS IMPORTS BALANCE 1-9/215 1-9/216 % VAR. % TOT. 1-9/215 1-9/216 % VAR. % TOT. 1-9/215 1-9/216 EURO AREA COUNTRIES 152.65.816,6 148.998.455, -2,4 56,4 132.221.625,8 123.952.88,4-6,3 51,2 2.429.19,8 25.45.646,6 FRANCE 41.59.742,4 4.253.825,1-3, 15,2 23.869.46,4 22.37.175,3-6,5 9,2 17.64.696, 17.946.649,8 LUXEMBOURG 4.16.22,8 3.745.767,2-8,8 1,4 2.12.125,1 1.934.952,5-8,7,8 1.986.77,7 1.81.814,7 NETHERLANDS 3.684.391,3 29.119.687,6-5,1 11, 42.846.323,1 36.871.196,7-13,9 15,2-12.161.931,8-7.751.59,1 GERMANY 45.113.911,4 44.28.756,5-1,8 16,8 32.284.68, 32.361.97,3,2 13,4 12.829.843,4 11.918.786,3 ITALY 13.652.35, 13.782.97,2 1, 5,2 9.56.255,1 9.333.249,7-2,4 3,9 4.92.94,9 4.449.657,5 IRELAND 1.329.189, 1.431.778,9 7,7,5 11.638.651,2 1.446.8,6-1,2 4,3-1.39.462,2-9.14.31,7 GREECE 1.67.427,7 1.194.527,3 11,9,5 28.597,2 32.182,9 7,7,1 786.83,6 892.344,3 PORTUGAL 1.447.149,2 1.427.11,1-1,4,5 82.194,9 851.168, 6,1,4 644.954,2 575.933,1 SPAIN 7.15.523,6 7.35.83,5,3 2,7 4.552.115,5 5.449.612,5 19,7 2,3 2.463.48,1 1.586.191, FINLAND 1.442.935,6 1.485.124,8 2,9,6 1.562.61,5 1.476.475,4-5,5,6-119.674,9 8.649,4 AUSTRIA 2.736.553,7 2.668.489,8-2,5 1, 1.375.375,5 1.3.246,8-5,5,5 1.361.178,2 1.368.243,1 SLOVENIA 383.628,2 426.422,9 11,2,2 196.998,9 212.255,1 7,7,1 186.629,3 214.167,7 CYPRUS 154.614,9 141.896,4-8,2,1 62.67,3 51.851,5-16,5, 92.547,6 9.44,9 MALTA 88.81,2 97.3,5 9,6, 34.262,4 39.785,5 16,1, 54.538,7 57.514,9 SLOVAKIA 832.959,9 88.149,1-3,,3 59.2, 586.43,8 -,6,2 242.939,8 221.745,2 ESTONIA 218.113,8 253.922,5 16,4,1 123.482,5 14.586,6 13,9,1 94.631,4 113.335,8 LATVIA 271.222,5 264.485,1-2,5,1 72.461,7 7.991,4-2,, 198.76,9 193.493,6 LITHUANIA 596.99,6 58.59,7-2,6,2 25.97,7 216.623,8-13,7,1 345.128,9 363.885,9 OTHER EU COUNTRIES 4.282.31,4 4.827.521,1 1,4 15,4 26.366.97,1 25.111.488,6-4,8 1,4 13.915.34,2 15.716.32,5 UNITED KINGDOM 23.545.814,3 23.364.269,7 -,8 8,8 12.867.435,1 11.814.34,1-8,2 4,9 1.678.379,3 11.549.929,6 DENMARK 1.923.119,6 2.6.665,4 4,3,8 958.356,2 896.885, -6,4,4 964.763,4 1.19.78,5 SWEDEN 4.12.752,3 4.361.51, 6,3 1,7 4.593.932,4 4.57.65,7 -,5 1,9-491.18,1-28.564,7 POLAND 5.11.498,2 5.24.332,6 4,6 2, 2.792.195, 2.662.82,1-4,7 1,1 2.219.33,2 2.578.25,5 CZECH REPUBLIC 2.284.799, 2.37.92,4 1,,9 2.41.977,6 2.682.19,6 11,7 1,1-117.178,7-374.288,3 HUNGARY 1.589.376,2 1.543.,2-2,9,6 1.254.851,7 1.215.443,8-3,1,5 334.524,6 327.556,4 ROMANIA 1.81.29,9 1.198.726, 1,9,5 697.846,7 72.498,3 3,2,3 383.444,2 478.227,7 BULGARIA 53.84,5 542.813,9 7,7,2 71.25,7 461.294, -35,1,2-26.446,1 81.52, CROATIA 239.855,3 262.39,9 9,4,1 9.124,8 88.689,1-1,6, 149.73,6 173.62,8 TOTAL EU 192.933.127, 189.825.976,1-1,6 71,8 158.588.596, 149.64.297, -6, 61,6 34.344.531, 4.761.679,1 EUROPE OUTSIDE THE EU 11.848.111, 12.618.298,9 6,5 4,8 16.693.376, 15.149.163,6-9,3 6,3-4.845.264,9-2.53.864,6 ICELAND 63.94,4 73.459,1 14,9, 4.675,9 43.25,6 5,8, 23.264,5 3.433,5 NORWAY 1.339.336,6 1.219.362,6-9,,5 3.328.24,5 2.386.23,8-28,3 1, -1.988.867,9-1.166.661,2 SWITZERLAND 3.52.192,4 4.8.85,2 16,5 1,5 3.353.359,2 3.273.926,1-2,4 1,4 148.833,2 86.879,1 TURKEY 3.389.524,4 3.293.964,5-2,8 1,2 2.552.974,2 2.812.73,5 1,2 1,2 836.55,2 481.26,9 UKRAINE 38.816,9 47.895,3 32,1,2 255.29,4 235.843,2-7,6,1 53.526,5 172.52,1 RUSSIAN FEDERATION 2.24.762,8 2.527.13,8 12,8 1, 6.567.38,4 5.846.212,1-11, 2,4-4.326.617,6-3.319.18,4 OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES 1.3.537,6 1.15.78,5 1,2,4 595.491,5 551.429,3-7,4,2 48.46,1 464.279,2 TOTAL EUROPE 24.781.238, 22.444.275, -1,1 76,6 175.281.971,9 164.213.46,6-6,3 67,9 29.499.266,1 38.23.814,4 6-7 X 1. EXPORTS IMPORTS BALANCE 1-9/215 1-9/216 % VAR. % TOT. 1-9/215 1-9/216 % VAR. % TOT. 1-9/215 1-9/216 EUROPE 24.781.238, 22.444.275, -1,1 76,6 175.281.971,9 164.213.46,6-6,3 67,9 29.499.266,1 38.23.814,4 AFRICA 9.529.465,8 8.546.412, -1,3 3,2 7.399.863,7 7.679.494,1 3,8 3,2 2.129.62,1 866.917,9 ALGERIA 86.784,1 698.468,8-13,4,3 776.254,9 723.426,6-6,8,3 3.529,3-24.957,8 TUNISIA 232.73,1 258.897,4 11,6,1 212.926,1 221.23,6 3,8,1 19.147, 37.873,8 MOROCCO 546.882,6 627.23,2 14,7,2 29.738,1 241.74, -16,9,1 256.144,6 385.499,2 IVORY COAST 24.696,3 221.133,9 8,,1 48.51,8 54.99,2 23,4,2-23.85,5-282.965,3 NIGERIA 1.287.85, 1.268.332,5-1,5,5 89.85,4 67.245,4-24,5, 1.198.764,6 1.21.87, EGYPT 897.733,3 873.764,6-2,7,3 179.126,2 176.676,6-1,4,1 718.67,1 697.88, CONGO (DEM. REP.) 36.193,2 27.384, -11,7,1 178.861,5 218.335,6 22,1,1 127.331,7 52.48,4 ANGOLA 17.733,8 186.516,4 9,2,1 384.752, 347.839, -9,6,1-214.18,2-161.322,6 CAMEROON 183.815,8 177.914,5-3,2,1 183.622,5 183.13,9 -,3,1 193,3-5.216,3 SENEGAL 245.135,2 19.18,8-22,4,1 38.194, 26.841,3-29,7, 26.941,3 163.339,5 SOUTH AFRICA 1.97.674,8 1.18.664, -7,2,4 1.847.768,3 1.94.997,9 5,,8-75.93,5-922.333,9 GHANA 173.857,3 167.863,1-3,4,1 131.866,4 199.735, 51,5,1 41.99,9-31.871,9 KENYA 118.266,8 15.919,4-1,4, 29.38,3 38.931, 34,1, 89.228,5 66.988,4 LIBYA 81.923,4 91.977,1 12,3, 16.178,4 6.679, -58,7, 65.745, 85.298, OTHER AFRICAN COUNTRIES 3.175.845,9 2.389.192,4-24,8,9 2.632.949,9 2.782.829, 5,7 1,2 542.896, -393.636,6 AMERICA 22.578.95,1 21.728.644,3-3,8 8,2 31.648.869,4 29.648.99,7-6,3 12,3-9.69.964,4-7.919.455,4 U.S.A. 16.353.69,8 15.647.32,1-4,3 5,9 21.939.84, 2.697.755,3-5,7 8,6-5.586.734,2-5.5.723,2 CANADA 1.34.279,9 1.59.672,6 12,6,6 2.361.852,1 2.39.55,2-13,6,8-1.21.572,2-529.832,5 MEXICO 83.956,1 912.981,7 9,9,3 2.236.171,8 2.345.646,9 4,9 1, -1.45.215,6-1.432.665,2 COLOMBIA 298.558,5 292.517,5-2,,1 385.629,4 34.553,7-11,7,1-87.71, -48.36,2 VENEZUELA 147.38,6 93.174, -36,8, 114.29,3 83.93,8-26,5, 33.171,3 9.243,2 BRAZIL 1.945.38,6 1.86.293,6-4,4,7 2.28.153,3 1.888.23,2-14,5,8-263.114,7-27.936,6 CHILE 36.614,3 311.244,2-13,7,1 474.63,3 386.586,8-18,5,2-113.448,9-75.342,6 ARGENTINA 478.184,8 346.678,8-27,5,1 226.515,1 257.662,2 13,8,1 251.669,7 89.16,6 PERU 163.2, 146.919, -9,9,1 333.99,7 361.43,2 8,2,1-17.988,7-214.484,2 CUBA 52.991,1 39.255,6-25,9, 35.698,6 26.18,1-27,1, 17.292,6 13.237,5 OTHER AMERICAN COUNTRIES 68.829,4 568.875,2-6,6,2 1.332.782, 1.22.87,4-8,4,5-723.952,6-651.932,2 ASIA 27.816.418,5 28.51.146,3 2,5 1,8 38.456.93,9 39.22.873,6 2, 16,2-1.64.512,4-1.71.727,3 LEBANON 35.994, 291.382,8-4,8,1 25.894,6 36.79,7 39,3, 28.99,4 255.33,1 IRAN 298.251,3 318.151,2 6,7,1 44.976,1 81.82,9 81,9, 253.275,2 236.348,3 ISRAEL 1.488.684,2 1.643.958,8 1,4,6 1.213.126,3 1.322.43,7 9,,5 275.557,8 321.528,2 SAUDI ARABIA 1.5.552,8 1.294.383,7-13,7,5 1.23.792,8 1.623.977,6 34,9,7 296.76, -329.593,9 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 2.417.76,7 2.69.414,6 8, 1, 2.11.151,2 1.955.29,7-6,9,8 315.925,5 654.123,8 PAKISTAN 234.213,3 38.584,7 31,8,1 293.652,2 299.562,4 2,,1-59.439, 9.22,3 SYRIA 22.534,7 17.14,3-24,1, 1.576,1 1.14,4-27,6, 2.958,6 15.963,9 KUWAIT 156.541,9 163.567,4 4,5,1 36.199,9 33.186,9-8,3, 12.342, 13.38,4 INDIA 5.977.243,4 6.468.172,3 8,2 2,4 3.25.476,9 3.379.525,7 5,4 1,4 2.771.766,5 3.88.646,6 SRI LANKA 55.61,3 49.11,7-1,8, 26.336,3 221.85,4 7,5,1-151.275,1-172.748,6 THAILAND 737.187,4 716.59,9-2,8,3 1.62.648,4 1.94.577,5 3,,5-325.461, -378.67,6 VIETNAM 38.21, 333.636,9 8,3,1 1.257.339,9 1.333.466,1 6,1,6-949.318,9-999.829,2 INDONESIA 331.882,2 41.364,2 2,9,2 964.116,1 934.882,8-3,,4-632.233,9-533.518,7 MALAYSIA 41.418,9 419.247,7 2,2,2 673.437,1 667.98,1 -,8,3-263.18,2-248.66,4 SINGAPORE 963.741, 1.238.94, 28,5,5 4.35.26,4 4.353.186,8 1,1 1,8-3.341.519,4-3.115.92,7 PHILIPPINES 253.532,4 285.18,6 12,4,1 141.167,5 138.27, -2,1,1 112.364,9 146.748,6 CHINA 5.36.476,3 4.934.585,3-2, 1,9 11.213.628,5 11.8.421,9-1,8 4,5-6.177.152,2-6.73.836,6 SOUTH KOREA 1.113.315,1 1.57.943,8-5,,4 1.45.916, 1.551.281,2 6,9,6-337.6,9-493.337,4 JAPAN 2.484.64,8 2.614.8, 5,2 1, 5.597.882,9 6.153.475,6 9,9 2,5-3.113.278,1-3.539.467,6 TAIWAN 654.223,3 533.424,1-18,5,2 738.985,6 828.167,5 12,1,3-84.762,3-294.743,4 HONG KONG 1.853.637,8 1.765.86,9-4,7,7 83.442,2 64.817,5-22,8,3 1.23.195,6 1.124.989,4 JORDAN 267.818,9 187.459,8-3,,1 32.455, 29.471,4-9,2, 235.363,9 157.988,5 OTHER ASIAN COUNTRIES 945.45,8 859.225,6-9,1,3 1.856.469,1 1.532.99,9-17,5,6-911.63,2-672.874,3 OCEANIA 1.519.52,5 1.572.938,4 3,5,6 1.17.33,4 774.94,2-33,8,3 349.19, 797.998,2 AUSTRALIA 1.312.337,7 1.359.191, 3,6,5 835.682,8 487.638,9-41,6,2 476.654,9 871.552,1 NEW ZEALAND 156.29,5 168.495,1 7,9,1 245.85,2 227.445,1-7,5,1-89.64,7-58.949,9 OTHER OCEANIAN COUNTRIES 5.55,3 45.252,2-1,4, 88.5,4 59.856,2-32,4, -37.995,2-14.64, MISCELLANEOUS 2.52.337,3 1.453.657, -42,3,6 141.144,4 446.679,8 216,5,2 2.379.192,9 1.6.977,2 TOTAL 268.745.417, 264.256.73, -1,7 1, 254.98.813,7 241.983.547,9-4,8 1, 14.646.63,3 22.272.525,1
Movement of goods within the EU in 216 (first nine months) 8 Comparison deliveries-purchases in 216 (first nine months) 9 45.. EURO AREA 4.. 35.. 3.. 25.. 2.. 15.. 5.. DELIVERIES PURCHASES OUTSIDE THE EURO AREA 25.. DELIVERIES PURCHASES 2.. 19% 17% 15.. 81% 83% 5.. EURO AREA OUTSIDE THE EURO AREA DELIVERIES PURCHASES
Movement of goods within the euro area countries 1 Movement of goods within the EU but outside the euro area 11 EVOLUTION OF THE DELIVERIES IN THE EURO AREA EVOLUTION OF THE DELIVERIES OUTSIDE THE EURO AREA 5.. 45.. 25.. 4.. 2.. 35.. 3.. 25.. 2.. 15.. 15.. 5.. 5.. 1-9/215 1-9/216 1-9/215 1-9/216 EVOLUTION OF THE PURCHASES IN THE EURO AREA EVOLUTION OF THE PURCHASES OUTSIDE THE EURO AREA 45.. 14.. 4.. 12.. 35.. 3.. 25.. 2.. 8.. 6.. 15.. 4.. 5.. 2.. 1-9/215 1-9/216 1-9/215 1-9/216
Monthly evolu on of Belgium s trade 12 Belgium s foreign trade in 215 (Source: NBB Community concept) 13 1-9/215 1-9/216 1-9/216-1-9/215 1-9/215 1-9/216 1-9/216-1-9/215 1-9/215 1-9/216 MONTHS EXPORTS IMPORTS BALANCE QUARTERS X 1. % X 1. % X 1. JANUARY 27.232.781,2 28.234.8,8 3,7 26.421.83, 26.332.432,5 -,3 81.951,2 1.91.576,3 FEBRUARY 29.172.737,6 29.99.536,4 2,8 27.29.991,4 28.684.641,2 6,1 2.142.746,3 1.35.895,2 MARCH 31.965.14,8 31.467.149,4-1,6 31.11.697,3 29.269.88,7-5,9 863.443,5 2.197.34,8 1st QUARTER 88.37.659,7 89.691.694,6 1,5 84.553.518,6 84.286.882,3 -,3 3.817.141, 5.44.812,2 APRIL 3.866.812,7 28.896.225,2-6,4 29.131.944, 27.129.694,2-6,9 1.734.868,7 1.766.531, MAY 28.966.582,1 28.773.563, -,7 27.319.151,9 25.81.642,4-5,6 1.647.43,3 2.971.92,5 JUNE 32.73.174,1 3.862.81,3-5,6 3.73.252,6 27.74.485,7-9,6 1.999.921,6 3.122.315,6 2nd QUARTER 92.536.569, 88.532.589,4-4,3 87.154.348,4 8.671.822,3-7,4 5.382.22,6 7.86.767,2 6 MONTHS 18.97.228,6 178.224.284, -1,5 171.77.867, 164.958.74,6-3,9 9.199.361,6 13.265.579,4 JULY 3.813.59,9 27.99.586,9-9,4 28.332.425,2 24.794.547,8-12,5 2.48.634,7 3.115.39,1 AUGUST 26.471.21,3 27.564.691,9 4,1 25.8.87,8 24.997.893,3-3,1 67.933,5 2.566.798,6 SEPTEMBER 3.554.17,2 3.557.51,2, 28.258.433,8 27.232.42,3-3,6 2.295.673,4 3.325.18, 3rd QUARTER 87.838.188,3 86.31.789, -2,1 82.39.946,7 77.24.843,3-6,5 5.447.241,6 9.6.945,6 9 MONTHS 268.745.417, 264.256.73, -1,7 254.98.813,7 241.983.547,9-4,8 14.646.63,2 22.272.525,1 OCTOBER #DIV/! #DIV/!,, NOVEMBER #DIV/! #DIV/!,, DECEMBER #DIV/! #DIV/!,, 4th QUARTER #DIV/! #DIV/!,, 12 MONTHS #DIV/! #DIV/!,, Analysis of the figures for the year 215 In 215 Belgian exports increased by 1.1%, rising from EUR 355.5 billion to EUR 359.5 billion. Belgian imports evolved in the opposite direc on. Between 214 and 215 Belgian purchases abroad decreased by.9%, from EUR 342.2 billion to EUR 339.1 billion. Belgium s balance of trade is posi ve and increased from EUR 13.3 billion to EUR 2.5 billion. 1. Exports 1.1. Geographical developments 1.1.1. Europe In 215, Belgian deliveries to the member states of the European Union grew by 3.%, whereas a year earlier they had increased by.8%. While Belgian exports of goods to euro area countries were only up slightly, deliveries to countries that do not belong to the euro area rose sharply. The relevant changes were as follows: +1.6% in 215 compared with -1.1% in 214 for the first group of countries, and +8.4% in 215 compared with +8.9% in 214 for the second group of countries. Euro area countries In 215, Belgium s best export performances within the eurozone were achieved in Italy (+EUR 2,614.3 million), Germany (+EUR 1,168.5 million), Spain (+EUR 578.3 million) and Portugal (+EUR 28.8 million). Despite the posi ve development of Belgian exports of goods to the aforemen oned countries, total sales within the eurozone were only up by 1.6%. This limited increase was due to the drop in exports to the Netherlands (-EUR 1,378.4 million), France (-EUR 325.7 million) and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (-EUR 163.6 million). Other EU member countries In 215, Belgian exports rose to each of the EU-countries outside of the euro area. The 8.4% increase in sales to this group of countries can be a ributed in large part to the strong performances in the United Kingdom (+EUR 2,264.1 million) and Sweden (+EUR 649.8 million). Belgian exports to other European countries outside the European Union fell by 15.4% in 215, a er a decrease of 8.7% during the previous year. The main reason for this nega ve evolu on is the drop in exports to Russia. The well-known trade conflict between the West and Russia has caused Belgian exports to that country to plunge by a quarter, from EUR 4,92. million to EUR 3,36.6 million.. Other countries where Belgian exports lost ground were Ukraine, Turkey and Norway. Growth in Belgian exports to, among others, Iceland and Switzerland proved insufficient to offset these nega ve results. 1.1.2. Intercon nental expor ng Developments for intercon nental exports varied considerably. While exports to the Americas and Oceania rose in 215, those to Africa and Asia fell. This is shown below: Africa: -5.1% in 215 compared to +1.7% in 214; America: +7.1% in 215 compared to -.9% in 214; Asia: -2.6% in 215 compared to +2.7% in 214 and Oceania: +4.5% in 215 compared to -9.1% in 214. Where Africa is concerned, there was a serious cutback in exports to Angola (-EUR 151. million), Ghana (- EUR 134.1 million), Senegal (-EUR 126.2 million), Algeria (-EUR 8.3 million) and Morocco (-EUR 6.2 million). The decrease in exports to these countries was more significant than the rise in sales to, among others Nigeria (+EUR 125.3 million), the Dem. Rep. of Congo (+EUR 14.2 million), South-Africa (+EUR 69.5 million), Ivory Coast (+EUR 27.1 million) and Kenya (+EUR 2.3 million).
14 15 As regards the Americas, however, Belgian exporters saw sales grow in 215. The 7.1% rise in total exports to this con nent was mainly due to higher sales in the United States (+EUR 2,359.3 million), Mexico (+EUR 143.3 million), Argen na (+EUR 118.8 million) and Chile (+EUR 81.3 million). Nega ve results were however obtained in Brazil (-EUR 715.5 million) and Venezuela (-EUR 92.8 million). Exports from Belgium to Asia increased substan ally in Saudi Arabia (+EUR 32.7 million), Japan (+EUR 251.4 million), where a Belgian state visit will take place in the la er part of 216, Taiwan (+EUR 149.4 million), Vietnam (+EUR 94.9 million) and the Philippines (+EUR 75.8 million), where a Belgian economic mission will be held in the first part of 217. The fact that the Chinese economy is cool ing down had its impact on Belgian sales to this country, which diminished by 9.6% (-EUR 717.1 million) in 215. Furthermore, Belgian exports also fell in, among others, India (-EUR 766.8 million), Israel (-EUR 195.3 million), Hong Kong (-EUR 169.5 million) and Singapore (-EUR 128.3 million). Asia remains Belgium s most important market outside Europe despite the fact that exports to this con nent were down by 2.6% in 215. The general result for Oceania was posi ve in 215. Total exports to this con nent grew by 4.5% (compared with -9.1% in 214). Sales to both Australia and New-Zealand increased over this past year. 1.1.3. Market shares The European Union remains Belgium s largest trading partner by far. From 214 to 215, the EU share increased from 7.6% to 72.%. The trend of recent years, which saw a drop in the EU share in favour of emerging economies such as Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, was thus somewhat reversed last year. Euro area countries accounted for a share of 56.8% in 215 compared with 56.1% in 214. The share of other EU countries rose from 14.5% to 15.2%. The share of European countries outside the European Union was reduced from 5.3% to 4.4%. As previously men oned, this is largely a ributable to the trade conflict with Russia. The share of Belgian goods exports going to the different con nents changed as follows in 215 compared with a year earlier: Africa: 3.5% in 215 compared with 3.7% in 214; America: 8.3% in 215 compared with 7.9% in 214; Asia: 1.3% in 215 compared with 1.8% in 214; Oceania:.6% in 215 compared with.5% in 214. 1.2. Sectoral developments The chemical products sec on was s ll responsible for the lion s share of total Belgian exports with 24.6%. Exports rose by 5.6% from 214 to 215. Transport equipment took second place, accoun ng for 1.8% of total Belgian exports. Sales for this product group increased by 5.9% when compared to a year earlier. Machinery and equipment was third with a share of 1.7%, thanks to a rise in exports of 6.7%. Mineral products, which came in fourth with a share of 9.%, fell from second place in total Belgian exports. The lower export figures were caused by the collapse of the oil prices and contributed to a drop of 23.8%. The change in the exported quan ty was much more limited. Plas cs completed the top five of the most significant export products. Thanks to an increase in sales of 2.3% this group of products represented a share of 8.%. 2. Imports 2.1. Geographical developments Belgian imports from European Union countries fell by 4.3% in 215, a er a decrease of 1.5% the year before. Belgium s purchases within the euro area dropped by 5.3%, while those from other EU countries outside the euro area rose by 1.2%. In the euro area, Belgium saw a substan al decrease in imports from the Netherlands (-EUR 11,413.8 million). Belgian purchases from Germany (-EUR 1,751.1 million) and France (-EUR 1,729.4 million) were also down. The largest increase in imports came from Ireland (+EUR 3,34.7 million) and Italy (+EUR 1,339.7 million). Imports from other EU countries outside the euro area rose by 1.2% in 215. Especially imports from Sweden (-EUR 36.8 million) and Denmark (-EUR 241.6 million) fell over the past year. The decline in purchases from these countries was compensated by the increased imports from the United Kingdom (+EUR 51.1 million) and Hungary (+EUR 265.9 million). Imports from other European countries outside the EU decreased by 11.9% due to a drop in purchases from Russia (-EUR 2,321.7 million). Imports from the rest of the world developed differently depending on the con nent. Imports from the Americas, Asia and Oceania rose in 215, while those from Africa fell. This is shown below: Africa: -5.1% in 215 compared to +24.3% in 214; America: +15.8% in 215 compared to +6.1% in 214; Asia: +7.5% in 215 compared to -2.3% in 214 and Oceania: 1.6% in 215 compared to -14.1% in 214. 2.2. Sectoral developments The historical trend that was already observed for exports is confirmed: chemical products ranked first with more than one fi h (22.8%) of total imports in 215. This share has increased considerably compared to the previous year, due to an increase in imports of this type of products by 9.5%. Mineral products occupied second place with a share of 13.3%. This represents a decline of 24.5% which is mainly explained by a price effect. The top five of the major import sec ons was completed by machinery and equipment, transport equipment and base metals with respec ve shares of total Belgian imports of 12.1%, 11.9% and 6.7%. 3. Geographical trade balances Belgium tradi onally displays a trade surplus with the European Union. In fact, the surplus even increased significantly from EUR 29. billion in 214 to EUR 45.9 billion in 215. Euro area countries In 215, the posi ve trade balance with France and Germany grew to EUR 23.1 billion (compared with EUR 21.7 billion in 214) and EUR 17.5 billion (compared with EUR 14.6 billion) respec vely. Significant, but lower surpluses were also recorded with, among others, Italy (EUR 5. billion), Spain (EUR 3. billion), the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (EUR 2.6 billion) and Austria (EUR 1.8 billion). The increase of the trade surplus with the European Union is also due to the reduc on of the deficit with the Netherlands that fell from EUR 25.5 billion to EUR 15.5 billion. Other EU member countries Belgium s trade balance with other European countries outside the EU remained nega ve. However, the deficit remained more or less stable (EUR 5.8 billion in 215 compared to EUR 5.9 billion in 214). The nega ve balances of Belgium with Russia and Norway amounted to EUR 5.3 billion and EUR 2.7 billion respec vely (compared to EUR 6.5 billion and EUR 3.1 billion a year earlier).
Belgium s economic & trade performance 16 17 With regard to the other con nents, it should be noted that Belgium s trade balance with the Americas deteriorated considerably. The deficit of EUR 8.4 billion recorded in 214 grew to EUR 12.1 billion in 215. Belgium s deficit with Asia, which amounted to EUR 8.9 billion in 214 rose to EUR 13.4 billion in 215, due to rising deficits with China, Japan and Singapore. Belgium s trade balance with Africa showed a surplus of EUR 2.8 billion in 215, which is comparable to the previous year (EUR 2.9 billion). Finally, the trade balance with Oceania ended 215 with a surplus of EUR 59.3 million, which is a rise compared to 214 (EUR 447.2 million). Belgium, the heart of Europe Belgium is a federal Kingdom comprised of three Regions (the Flemish Region, the Walloon Region and the Brussels-Capital Region) and three Communi es (the Flemish, the French and the German Communi es). Belgium has a popula on of 11.1 million inhabitants (215 est.) and is one of the most densely populated countries in Europe. Brussels is the Capital of Europe : it hosts the headquarters of the European Commission, the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament. Other major interna onal organiza ons, such as NATO, are also located in Brussels. That is how Brussels ranks as the world s number two city (a er Washington, D.C.) in terms of the number of accredited journalists, and fourth in terms of the number of interna onal mee ngs and seminars held. With a surface of 3,5 km 2, Belgium is one of the smallest member states of the European Union. Nevertheless, it is a significant player in the world economy. Belgium scores par cularly well for its export-driven economy and investment a rac veness. Its small size and limited internal market are the main factors behind the strong export culture in Belgium. Moreover, due to its well-developed infrastructure, good living standards, central loca on and highly-skilled workforce, Belgium is also praised by foreign investors. GDP (Gross Domes c Product) reached 4.6 billion in 214 and 49.8 billion in 215. Due to the con nuing financial and economic crisis, GDP growth was limited to 1.3% in 214 and 1.4% in 215. Belgium offers the opportunity to reach 2 million consumers in a radius of 5 kilometers thanks to its central geographic posi on and its quality logis cs infrastructures. Sea ports, inland ports, canals, airports, rail, road and motorway networks: the various communica on channels in Belgium are constantly being adapted to the needs of the economy. For example, the port of Antwerp is the 2nd busiest European port and has the largest petrochemical complex in Europe. The city of Antwerp is the diamond capital with 8 % of the market in rough diamonds and 5 % in polished diamonds. In 215, according to the World Trade Organiza on (WTO), Belgium was the 12 th exporter and 14 th importer of goods worldwide with a share of 2.4% and 2.2% respec vely. That same year it was also the 13 th exporter and 12 th importer of services worldwide with a share of 2.3% in both cases. The countries that account for most investment in Belgium are the United states, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the Netherlands. As regards the type of sector in which investments are made, investments in sales & marke ng projects are at the top. The industrial sector and logis cs sector are in places two and three respec vely Belgium also boasts an excep onal higher educa on and training system, with excellent math and science educa on, top-notch management schools and a strong propensity for on-the-job training. These elements contribute to an overall high capacity to innovate. Belgium s goods market is characterized by high levels of compe on and an environment that facilitates new business crea on. Business opera ons are also dis nguished by high levels of sophis ca on and professional management.