Belgium

Political relations

France and Belgium have particularly close, trusting and smooth relations converging on European, strategic and African issues due to the fact that they are neighbours enjoying historical and cultural ties (40% of Belgians are French speakers) and closely intertwined economies. The cross-border dimension is also a strong element of our cooperation, in terms of people exchanges and infrastructure (rail, inland waterways, etc.) or even security (see below).

Economic relations

Economic and trade relations are extensive. Our trade has resumed since the COVID-19 crisis (€82.3 billion in 2021 or 13.8% more than in 2019) and Belgium is now our fourth-largest trade partner, with which we have a trade deficit due to the import of natural hydrocarbons (€8.2 billion in 2021). This is partially offset by our trade surplus in the services market (€4.8 million in 2021).

In terms of investment, France is extremely present in the Belgian entrepreneurial fabric. Belgium is the third leading destination for French foreign direct investment (€143 billion in 2021), ahead of the United Kingdom. Our investments are focused on three sectors: services (Décathlon, Thalys, Orange), energy production and distribution and manufacturing. According to the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), 2,328 French subsidiaries are working in Belgium generating €85 billion in revenue. Belgium was the eighth-largest foreign investor in France in 2021, with €55 billion in investments. Some 2,000 companies in which Belgian investors have a controlling stake are working in France and employ 130,000 people. Among them is the food retail group Delhaize, the IT provider Econom and the chemical company Solvay.

This cooperation will be enhanced with the launch of the company Rely, created by the French Technip Energies group and the Belgian John Cockerill company, which will participate in the decarbonization of the industry by providing integrated solutions for green hydrogen.