2023-10-06 14:33:00
Last year, 3,000 companies left the Brussels Region to set up shop in another Region, we learn from recent data published by Statbel. A slightly decreasing trend compared to last year. Over the course of the decade, one observation emerged: Flanders appealed more to Brussels entrepreneurs than Wallonia.
In 2022, 1,847 companies have left the capital for Flanders. Ten years ago, there were barely more than 1,000. In 2012, the gap between moves to Wallonia and those to Flanders was much more insignificant than today. Migration to the south of the country, 1,154 for 2022, has stagnated for ten years.
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Conversely, the arrivals of Walloon and Flemish companies in Brussels remain much lower than the departures. Last year 1,292 companies left Flanders for the capital, and 772 left Wallonia for Brussels.
Companies leaving or arriving in Brussels ©IPM Graphics
At the sector level, we see a lot of travel outside Brussels for construction, commerce, “specialized, scientific and technical activities” and administration.
Taxation and mobility singled out
On Beci’s side, we are worried. Jan De Brabanter points out that it is normal for companies seeking expansion to turn to regions with more available and affordable land. Likewise, teleworking has changed the situation. But other factors, resulting from political choices, weigh in the balance, according to Beci, and contribute to the departure of companies.
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Among them: taxation applied to businesses, urban planning regulations, excessively long delays in obtaining a permit, but also mobility. “In mobility issues, the economy has not been considered enough. The inaccessibility of Brussels in certain places and at certain times is a hindrance”, indicates the secretary, citing in particular Good Move “which creates congestion in certain places” and the recent work on avenue Van Praet aimed at rethinking this northern gateway of the capital. “All this creates concern,” notes the secretary, for whom “this government is not doing enough” in terms of the economy.
A “natural phenomenon”
In the office of Barbara Trachte (Ecolo), we assure “not to be in a catastrophic dynamic”. These departures would be, according to the team of the Secretary of State for Economic Transition, a “natural phenomenon” of an urban center, to be linked to “entrepreneurial dynamism” and therefore the rate of business creation.
“In the last ten years, we have never had so many businesses in the Region. Brussels is a laboratory for the creation of start-ups. They develop, need space and some then look for cheaper land elsewhere.”
The number of companies increasing by 4.5% in 2022
The Palais des Vins, from Brussels to Nivelles: “We were welcomed with open arms”
A true institution active for more than three centuries in the wine sector, the Palais du Vin left the area around the Brussels-West station to set up in an area of Nivelles three years ago.
One of the biggest wine distributors leaves Brussels
The boss, Gilles Nolet de Brauwere, explains to us that he first looked in Brussels. But in vain. Land too small, long lease without purchase, unsuitable buildings… “We then looked near Grand-Bigard, Beersel.” Finally the choice fell on Nivelles. Without regret. “We were welcomed with open arms. We were able to build exactly what was needed for the business, and the location is very accessible.”
Given the deliveries throughout Belgium, a presence in the heart of the capital was no longer an absolute necessity. For this import-export company, in fact, the Nivelles-Brussels distance is not felt in practice, because “the natural economic zone of Brussels is Brabant”.
Leonidas found land in the BW “technically impossible to find in Brussels”
Philippe de Selliers, boss of Leonidas ©Johanna de Tessieres
The news broke a year ago. Leonidas is leaving Anderlecht and will consolidate its production activities in Nivelles. “Our factory was a certain age,” boss Philippe de Selliers tells us. A major search was then launched in Brussels. “We wanted to stay in Brussels, because we are from Brussels, Brussels is our main market and has an international reputation, a large part of the staff comes from the Brussels region.” But despite the proposals and the “excellent collaboration” with the authorities, no land was suitable.
After more than a century of presence, Leonidas is leaving the capital region: “we have been happy in Brussels”, assures its CEO Philippe De Selliers
“With a heavy heart”, the chocolatier looked elsewhere, and finally found it in the BW. A five-hectare plot of land in Nivelles. “Technically impossible to find in Brussels.” Part of the factory will move in summer 2025, and the rest in summer 2026.
But if the factory leaves, the forty stores will remain in Brussels. Because retail trade is flourishing in the capital. “There is attendance and tourism has returned. We are experiencing good growth in Brussels.”
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