Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT) is the official government agency of Flanders, Belgium, responsible for promoting international business development through foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction and export promotion. With its headquarters in Brussels and a global network of over 90 offices, FIT serves as a vital partner for Flemish companies seeking global expansion and for foreign companies aiming to invest in Flanders.
Core Business
FIT’s dual mission is to:
- Support Flemish companies in internationalizing by facilitating market entry, export growth, and global competitiveness.
- Attract and assist foreign investors looking to establish or expand operations in Flanders by offering comprehensive support throughout the investment lifecycle.
By bridging the global business community with Flanders' innovation-driven economy, FIT contributes directly to regional economic growth and job creation.
Product & Service Offerings
FIT provides a wide array of services tailored to businesses and investors:
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Export Promotion Services:
- Market intelligence and legal guidance for foreign trade.
- Matchmaking with international buyers and distributors.
- Support at trade fairs and business missions abroad.
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Investment Attraction Services:
- Strategic guidance on establishing a company in Flanders.
- Site selection support and introductions to real estate agents, clusters, and technology parks.
- Permits and regulatory navigation.
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Market Information and Research:
- Custom economic and sector-specific reports.
- Data on local supply chains, labor force, infrastructure, and incentives.
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Financial Incentives and Grants:
- Assistance with applications for R&D subsidies, training incentives, and capital investment support.
- Guidance on EU funding and Belgian tax incentives (e.g., innovation income deduction, notional interest deduction).
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Networking Events and Trade Missions:
- Participation in sector-specific international trade missions.
- Local and international networking forums with stakeholders, policy makers, and industry leaders.
These services are free of charge and confidential, designed to streamline business growth and integration into the Flemish economic ecosystem.
Specialization & Unique Selling Proposition
FIT’s unique value lies in its deep-rooted institutional knowledge, global reach, and sectoral expertise. Their USP includes:
- One of the most extensive international representation networks among European trade agencies.
- Access to cutting-edge Belgian research ecosystems, including clusters in biotechnology, cleantech, ICT, life sciences, food innovation, and logistics.
- Proven success in facilitating multi-million-euro investments from global firms like Pfizer, Toyota, Huawei, and Daikin.
- Seamless collaboration with other Flemish government departments and innovation hubs.
FIT serves as a one-stop shop for companies seeking actionable insight and direct assistance across regulatory, legal, and operational domains.
Financial Strength
As a publicly funded agency under the Government of Flanders, FIT operates with stable and transparent budgeting:
- Annual operating budget approximates €60–70 million, funded by the Flemish Government.
- Long-term investments in infrastructure and digital tools to enhance international outreach.
- Coordinated policy alignment with Flemish Department of Economy, Science & Innovation and Flemish Agency for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO).
This robust backing ensures consistent support to clients without commercial bias.
Engagement & Trade Data
FIT plays a significant role in enhancing Belgium’s international trade presence:
- Belgium exported over €586 billion worth of goods in 2022, with Flanders accounting for more than 80% of total exports.
- Flanders has consistently ranked among Europe’s top regions for inward FDI.
- In 2022, FIT assisted over 250 foreign investment projects, leading to thousands of new job creations.
- FIT-organized trade missions reach 50+ countries annually, with high-level governmental and industry participation.
Target Market
FIT serves:
- SMEs and large enterprises in Flanders seeking to export goods or services.
- Foreign corporations aiming to enter or expand in the European market via Flanders.
- Start-ups and scale-ups in strategic industries like biotech, advanced manufacturing, and digital services.
- Industry clusters and R&D hubs seeking international partners.
Target sectors include life sciences, chemicals, logistics, food and beverage, cleantech, and digital technologies.
Capabilities
- Multilingual team of economic attachés and trade advisors.
- Global network covering more than 100 countries, ensuring local insight and responsiveness.
- Access to databases, trade platforms, and digital matchmaking tools.
- Integration with Flanders’ innovation infrastructure, offering fast-track support for technology-driven businesses.
FIT also supports soft landing programs and startup visas for entrepreneurs seeking to base operations in Flanders.
Certifications & Compliance
As a government entity, FIT operates with:
- Full legal compliance under Belgian and EU governance structures.
- Transparency in public funding and procurement.
- Alignment with GDPR and international data privacy standards.
FIT maintains formal partnerships with the European Enterprise Network (EEN) and Belgian Foreign Trade Agency (BFTA) to ensure collaborative standards across jurisdictions.
Stakeholder Testimonials
Prominent global investors and Flemish exporters consistently praise FIT for its proactive, solutions-oriented approach:
“FIT has been instrumental in making our transition into the EU market seamless and efficient.”
– Representative, U.S.-based Biotech Firm
“Their sector-specific insights helped us prioritize the right markets and make valuable business connections.”
– CEO, Flemish Foodtech Company
These testimonials underscore FIT’s practical impact on business success.
Major Achievements
- Played a central role in securing over €4 billion in foreign investments in Flanders over the past five years.
- Spearheaded trade missions to Japan, South Korea, Canada, and the Gulf with ministerial participation.
- Launched Fit4Start, an accelerator program for international tech startups entering Flanders.
- Recognized by fDi Intelligence (Financial Times) as a top-performing investment promotion agency in Europe.
Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT) continues to drive global business connectivity, fostering a dynamic economic ecosystem in Flanders through expert support, data-driven strategies, and global collaboration.