DOCSLIB.ORG

Investor Presentation May 2018 2 I

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Investor Presentation May 2018 2 I Investor Presentation May 2018 2 I. Main Facts & Figures II. Key Strengths III. Public Finances IV. Consolidated Debt V. Flanders in a nutshell 3 Main Facts & Figures Key Data Capital Brussels Language Dutch Surface 13 684 km² Population 6 509 894 (1/1/2017) Density 485 hab./km² (2016) Currency Euro N° of Companies 509,660 (subject to VAT) Nominal GDP (PPS) EUR 228 bn (2016) GDP/Capita (PPS) EUR 35 100 (2016) Real GDP growth rate 1.4% (2016) Unemployment rate 4.4% (2017) PPS = purchasing power standards 4 Main Facts & Figures High GDP per Capita (2016) 40.000 35.000 30.000 25.000 20.000 15.000 10.000 5.000 0 Flanders EU-28 Belgium Germany France Netherlands United Kingdom Source: Eurostat 5 Main Facts & Figures Strong Economic Fundamentals Flanders benefits from very strong economic fundamentals. Flanders France Germany Netherlands EU - 28 Unemployment Rate (2017) 4.4% 9.4% 3.8% 4.9% 7.6% Real GDP Growth Rate (average 1.3% 1.0% 1.6% 1.0% 1.2% 2011 – 2016) • In 2016 the real GDP growth rate was 1.4% in Flanders which was much higher compared to the other regions (Walloon Region 1.1% and Brussels Region 0.8%) Source: Eurostat - Labour Force Survey, Study Office of the Governement of Flanders 6 I. Main Facts & Figures II. Key Strengths III. Public Finances IV. Consolidated Debt V. Flanders in a nutshell 7 Key Strengths Located in the Heart of Europe . Flanders lies at the center of the EU’s wealthiest and most populated area; . Highly developed transport and communications systems so that companies can take full advantage of this fact; . Strong stimulus for companies to locate in Flanders – central location; Source: Healey & Baker study 8 Key Strengths A Unique European Hub Flanders offers companies rapid and efficient supply and distribution links with other major European centers and beyond. Leading ports Antwerp, Ghent, Ostend, Zeebrugge Airport freight & logistic Brussels, Ostend hubs Extensive inland Linking into the European waterway system system High density of freeways Connecting directly to other European countries High density rail network Dedicated freight lines to other parts of Europe Source: Healey & Baker study 9 Key Strengths An Economy based on Trade and Services (2016) Flemish GDP-Sector contribution primary sector; Construction 6.1% 0,9% Chemicals 3.2% Iron, Metal & Steel 2.1% Food & Tobacco 2.7% secondary sector; Other 11.6% 25,8% tertiary sector; 73,3% Real Estate and Business Services 23.8% Wholesale and Retail 13.6% Transport 6.4% Health Services 4.6% Other 24.9% Source: Institute of National Accounts 10 Key Strengths Strong Export-Driven Economy Regional Distribution of Belgian exports (%) Flemish Exports (2017) (EUR billion) 2,6% 350 14,2% 300 250 Brussels 200 Flanders 150 Wallonie 100 50 0 83,2% 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 . The Flemish economy is strongly export oriented: Flanders’ exports represent 83.2% of Belgium’s total export in volume; . Flemish exports grow steadily over time (+4.99% in 2017); . The region’s most successful export products are chemicals, transport equipment, machines and equipments, pharmaceuticals and minerals. Source: Institute for the National Accounts 11 Key Strengths Diversified Base of Trading Partners Top 10 of Flemish Export Markets in 2017 (as % of total) 18,00% 16,00% 14,00% 12,00% 10,00% 8,00% 6,00% 4,00% 2,00% 0,00% Germany France Netherlands UK Italy USA Spain India China Poland The EU28 is the most important Flemish export market and the 3 neighbouring countries (Germany, France and the Netherlands) are Flanders main trading partners. Also emerging economies like India and China are steadily becoming more important for Flemish exports. Source: Institute of National Accounts 12 Key Strengths Foreign Direct Investment Figures & Trade Partnerships Flanders has a proven track record of welcoming foreign Type of Investments (2017) businesses to its region. Mergers&Ac quisitions: 25,58% Top 10 biggest investors in 2017 Greenfield: 40,93% 1 USA 21,4% 2 Netherlands 11,6% 3 Germany 10,7% Expansions: 33,49% 4 France 8,4% Type of Activities (2017) 5 China 6,5% Sales & 6 Japan 6,1% Marketing: 16,28% 7 Sweden 4,7% HQ: 1,40% Manufaturin g: 33,20% 8 United Kingdom 4,2% R&D: 20,00% 9 Switzerland 3,7% 10 Italy 1,9% Logistics: 24,65% Source: Flanders Investment and Trade Office 13 Key Strengths Low Unemployment Rate 25 20 14,9 15 13,5 (%) 12,2 9,7 10 10,7 10,8 8,2 5 4,4 4,4 4,0 3,9 0 Flemish Region Walloon Region Brussels Capitol Region EU 15 countries Source: Statistics Belgium EAK, Eurostat, Labour Force Survey Website Steunpunt Werk: http://www.steunpuntwerk.be/ Other graphs on labour market see appendix 14 Key Strengths R&D budget evolution (in million euro) 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 Research and Development (R&D) Education and Training (E&T) Scientific and Technological Services (STS) Source: Department of Economy, Science and Innovation 15 I. Main Facts & Figures II. Key Strengths III. Public Finances IV. Consolidated Debt V. Flanders in a nutshell 16 Public Finances Return to a balanced budget • Several budgettary challenges in last years • Financial-economical crisis: Deficit in 2009 and 2010, but within 2 years return to balanced budget • Stricter European budgetary surveillance: considerable negative impact on budget from 2013, but gradually integrated in budget (completed in 2016) • Sixth state reform: • Financial autonomy raised to 34% (levy surtax on Personal income tax) • more competences and increase in financial means (approx. 9,7 bn EUR for 2015) • Recurrent contribution of 1,55 bn EUR to consolidation of public finances of federal government and social security • Enhancement of federal tax shift (> 300 mln EUR) • Budget 2016 : deficit of 468 mln EUR, in realisation deficit reduced to 127 mln EUR • Budget 2017: surplus of 2 mln EUR, in realisation surplus of 470 mln EUR • Budget 2018: Balanced budget 17 Public Finances Revenues by Segment 45.000.000 40.000.000 35.000.000 30.000.000 keuro In 25.000.000 20.000.000 15.000.000 10.000.000 5.000.000 0 2014 ACT 2015 ACT 2016 ACT 2017 ACT AB 2018 Institutions within scope of consolidation Lottery funds Own non-tax non-allocated income Own non-tax allocated income Regional taxes Specific allocations SFA Regional and Community resources SFA Gross additional personal income tax charge . 2014 - the 6th State Reform • Large increase in revenues • Major transfer of powers and resources . Comparison budget 2016 / 2017: Increase of 2.7 bn € reasons? 1. Increase of the regional taxes and grants from the federal level 2. Expansion of the consolidation perimeter . Budget 2018: Revenues at the same level as in the budget 2017 18 Public Finances Revenues by Segment Key revenues 2018: . 56% Regional and Community resources from Federal level . 33,2% own fiscal instruments: • 15,4% regional taxes • 17,8% additional personal income tax charge ( = surcharges) 19 Public Finances Regional Taxes 4% 6% Regional taxes AB 2018 - Registration tax 37% - Tax on real estate 23% - Road tax (cars) - Registration tax 2.432.946 - Tax on real estate 156.461 - Tax on first use of car - Road tax (cars) 1.097.369 - Heavy goods vehicles charge - Tax on first use of car 247.848 - Inheritance tax - Heavy goods vehicles charge 444.267 - Donation tax - Inheritance tax 1.507.653 7% - Donation tax 388.699 - Other taxes 2% - Other taxes 281.327 4% 17% 6.556.570 In keuro Key regional taxes of Flanders: . Registration tax . Inheritance tax . Road tax for cars 20 Public Finances Breakdown of Public Spending Education and Training Welfare, Public Health and Family Work, professional training and social economy Chancellory and general government Mobility and Public Works Finance and Budget Other Economic development, science and innovation Culture, sport, youth, media 0 4.000.000 8.000.000 12.000.000 16.000.000 2018 AB 2014 ACT . Also in the expenditures we see a large increase, as a result of the Sixth State Reform, in the adjusted budget 2018 (2018 AB) compared to the realizations 2014 (ACT). The largest increases are situated in Welfare, Public Health and Family and in Employment and Social Economy. 21 Public Finances Breakdown of Public Spending Breakdown of the expenditures 2018 AB Education and training 5% 3% 1% 3% Welfare, public health and family 6% 30% Chancellory and general government 8% Mobility and public works Work, professional training and social economy 8% Finance and budget Economic development, science and innovation 9% Environment 27% Culture, sport, youth, media other Key competences in the Flemish budget: . Education . welfare, public health, family 22 Public Finances Realisations Budgetary targets and results (in mio euro) 1.000 500 0 budget realisation -500 -1.000 -1.500 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 . Despite budgetary difficulties in 2009-2010 (financial and economic crisis) and 2013-2014 (stricter European surveillance) the Flemish Community has taken immediately the necessary measures to set the budget back on track. Budget surplus in 2017: 470 million euro 23 I. Main Facts & Figures II. Key Strengths III. Public Finances IV. Consolidated Debt V. Flanders in a nutshell 24 Consolidated Debt Overview of the Strategy • Diversified financing strategy: Combination of banking and non-banking financing tools; • Large and diversified access to short term liquidity: Belgian Commercial Paper programme combined with a short term credit line of EUR 3.25bn; • Conservative Risk management: • Conservative interest rate risk management : indexation linked to fixed rates or simple floating rates in the Euro zone (Euribor…); distribution fixed rate / floating rate adjusted depending on the long term economic trends; 95% of the outstanding debt at fixed rate as of 31/12/2017 • Complete hedging of currency risk: no currency risk incurred by the Flemish Community; • Systematic hedging at the issuance via swaps in EUR; • Conservative approach on derivatives: No structured products; • Issuance of bonds as main medium and long term financing tool: Flanders is a recognized issuer in the capital markets.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Challenges for Flemish Agriculture and Horticulture
    LARA '18 LARA '18 CHALLENGES FOR FLEMISH AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & FISHERIES CHALLENGES FOR FLEMISH AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE The seventh edition of the Flemish Agriculture Report (LARA) was published in 2018. The report deals with the challenges for Flemish agriculture and horticulture. At the same time, it pro- vides a detailed description of the subsectors. A SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) also takes place per subsector. Between the chapters, experts from policy, research and civil society give their vision on challenges faced by Flemish agriculture and how the sector should deal with them. This is a translation of the summary of the report. You’ll find the entire report in Dutch on www.vlaanderen.be/landbouwrapport. © Flemish Government, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Platteau J., Lambrechts G., Roels K., Van Bogaert T., Luypaert G. & Merckaert B. (eds.) (2019) Challenges for Flemish agriculture and horticulture, Agriculture Report 2018, Summary, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Brussels. D/2019/3241/075 1 CURRENT SITUATION AGRICULTURE IS CHARACTERISED BY ECONOMIES OF SCALE, SPECIALISATION, DIVERSIFICATI- ON AND INNOVATION In 2017, Flanders had 23,225 agricultural businesses, 78% of which were of a professional nature. Compa- red to 2007, the number of agricultural holdings has decreased by slightly more than a quarter, a decrease of 3% per year on average. In particular smaller farms stop their activities, which leads to a constant increase in scale. In 2017, agriculture and horticulture as a whole covered an area of 610,971 hectares. Thereof, the largest part is accounted for by fodder crops (maize and meadows) and cereals, with 56% and 21% respectively.
    [Show full text]
  • Landslides in Belgium—Two Case Studies in the Flemish Ardennes and the Pays De 20 Herve
    Landslides in Belgium—Two Case Studies in the Flemish Ardennes and the Pays de 20 Herve Olivier Dewitte, Miet Van Den Eeckhaut, Jean Poesen and Alain Demoulin Abstract Most landslides in Belgium, and especially the largest features, do not occur in the Ardenne, where the relief energy and the climate conditions seem most favourable. They appear in regions located mainly north of them where the lithology consists primarily of unconsolidated material. They develop on slopes that are relatively smooth, and their magnitude is pretty large with regard to that context. An inventory of more than 300 pre-Holocene to recent landslides has been mapped. Twenty-seven percent of all inventoried landslides are shallow complex landslides that show signs of recent activity. The remaining landslides are deep-seated features and rotational earth slides dominate (n > 200). For such landslides, the average area is 3.9 ha, but affected areas vary from 0.2 to 40.4 ha. The exact age of the deep-seated landslides is unknown, but it is certain that during the last century no such landslides were initiated. Both climatic and seismic conditions during the Quaternary may have triggered landslides. The produced landslide inventory is a historical inventory containing landslides of different ages and triggering events. Currently, only new shallow landslides or reactivations within existing deep-seated landslides occur. The focus on the Hekkebrugstraat landslide in the Flemish Ardennes allows us to understand the recent dynamics of a large reactivated landslide. It shows the complexity of the interactions between natural and human-induced processes. The focus on the Pays the Herve allows for a deeper understanding of landslide mechanisms and the cause of their origin in natural environmental conditions.
    [Show full text]
  • Executive and Legislative Bodies
    Published on Eurydice (https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/eurydice) Legislative and executive powers at the various levels Belgium is a federal state, composed of the Communities and the Regions. In the following, the federal state structure is outlined and the Government of Flanders and the Flemish Parliament are discussed. The federal level The legislative power at federal level is with the Chamber of Representatives, which acts as political chamber for holding government policy to account. The Senate is the meeting place between regions and communities of the federal Belgium. Together they form the federal parliament. Elections are held every five years. The last federal elections took place in 2014. The executive power is with the federal government. This government consists of a maximum of 15 ministers. With the possible exception of the Prime Minister, the federal government is composed of an equal number of Dutch and French speakers. This can be supplemented with state secretaries. The federal legislative power is exercised by means of acts. The Government issues Royal Orders based on these. It is the King who promulgates federal laws and ratifies them. The federal government is competent for all matters relating to the general interests of all Belgians such as finance, defence, justice, social security (pensions, sickness and invalidity insurance), foreign affairs, sections of health care and domestic affairs (the federal police, oversight on the police, state security). The federal government is also responsible for nuclear energy, public-sector companies (railways, post) and federal scientific and cultural institutions. The federal government is also responsible for all things that do not expressly come under the powers of the communities and the regions.
    [Show full text]
  • Flemish Art 1880–1930
    COMING FLEMISH ART 1880–1930 EDITOR KATHARINA VAN CAUTEREN HOME WITH ESSAYS BY ANNE ADRIAENS-PANNIER PATRICK BERNAUW PIET BOYENS KLAAS COULEMBIER JOHAN DE SMET MARK EYSKENS DAVID GARIFF LEEN HUET FERNAND HUTS PAUL HUVENNE PETER PAUWELS CONSTANTIJN PETRIDIS NIELS SCHALLEY HERWIG TODTS KATHARINA VAN CAUTEREN LUC VAN CAUTEREN SVEN VAN DORST CATHÉRINE VERLEYSEN Hubert Malfait Home from the Fields, 1923-1924 Oil on canvas, 120 × 100 cm COURTESY OF FRANCIS MAERE FINE ARTS CONTENTS 7 PREFACE 211 JAMES ENSOR’S KATHARINA VAN CAUTEREN WHIMSICAL QUEST FOR BLISS HERWIG TODTS 9 PREFACE FERNAND HUTS 229 WOUTERS WRITINGS 13 THE ROOTS OF FLANDERS HERWIG TODTS KATHARINA VAN CAUTEREN 253 EDGARD TYTGAT. 65 AUTHENTIC, SOUND AND BEAUTIFUL. ‘PEINTRE-IMAGIER’ THE RECEPTION OF LUC VAN CAUTEREN FLEMISH EXPRESSIONISM PAUL HUVENNE 279 CONSTANT PERMEKE. THE ETERNAL IN THE EVERYDAY 79 THE MOST FLEMISH FLEMINGS PAUL HUVENNE WRITE IN FRENCH PATRICK BERNAUW 301 GUST. DE SMET. PAINTER OF CONTENTMENT 99 A GLANCE AT FLEMISH MUSIC NIELS SCHALLEY BETWEEN 1890 AND 1930 KLAAS COULEMBIER 319 FRITS VAN DEN BERGHE. SURVEYOR OF THE DARK SOUL 117 FLEMISH BOHÈME PETER PAUWELS LEEN HUET 339 ‘PRIMITIVISM’ IN BELGIUM? 129 THE BELGIAN LUMINISTS IN AFRICAN ART AND THE CIRCLE OF EMILE CLAUS FLEMISH EXPRESSIONISM JOHAN DE SMET CONSTANTIJN PETRIDIS 149 BENEATH THE SURFACE. 353 LÉON SPILLIAERT. THE ART OF THE ART OF THE INDEFINABLE GUSTAVE VAN DE WOESTYNE ANNE ADRIAENS-PANNIER SVEN VAN DORST 377 THE EXPRESSIONIST IMPULSE 175 VALERIUS DE SAEDELEER. IN MODERN ART THE SOUL OF THE LANDSCAPE DAVID GARIFF PIET BOYENS 395 DOES PAINTING HAVE BORDERS? 195 THE SCULPTURE OF MARK EYSKENS GEORGE MINNE CATHÉRINE VERLEYSEN 6 PREFACE Dear Reader, 7 Just so you know, this book is not the Bible.
    [Show full text]
  • Interes Ng Languages Facts About the Dutch Langua
    www.dutchtrans.co.uk [email protected] Dutch Trans Tel: UK +44 20-80997921 Interes�ng languages facts about the Dutch langua The main language! There are many ques�ons in regards to the Flem- ish language and how is it different from Dutch. We will give you some Flemish language facts to clear things up. With three-fi�hs of the popula�on being na�ve speakers, Dutch is considered to be the majority language in Belgium. Dutch speakers mostly living on the Flemish Region have created the Dutch variety commonly referred to as "Flem- ish". Quick Flemish language facts The usage of the word "Flemish" to refer to the Dutch variety in Northern Belgium is con- sidered informal. Also, linguis�cally, the term "Flemish" is used in other different ways such as an indica�on of any local dialects in the Flanders region, as well as non-standard varia- �ons of the Dutch language in the provinces of French Flanders and West Flanders. 1 www.dutchtrans.co.uk [email protected] Dutch Trans Tel: UK +44 20-80997921 Dialects... The usage of the Flemish in reference to the Dutch language does not separate it from the Standard Dutch or the other dialects. That's why linguists avoid the term "Flemish" to refer to the Dutch Language preferring the usage of "Flemish Dutch", "Belgian Dutch" or "Southern Dutch". Flemish formally refers to the Flemish Region, which is one of the three official regions of the Kingdom of Belgium. Flemish Varia�ons! The Flemish region has four principal varia�ons of the Dutch language: East and West Flemish, Bra- ban�an and Limburgish.
    [Show full text]
  • Belgian Identity Politics: at a Crossroad Between Nationalism and Regionalism
    University of Tennessee, Knoxville TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange Masters Theses Graduate School 8-2014 Belgian identity politics: At a crossroad between nationalism and regionalism Jose Manuel Izquierdo University of Tennessee - Knoxville, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes Part of the Human Geography Commons Recommended Citation Izquierdo, Jose Manuel, "Belgian identity politics: At a crossroad between nationalism and regionalism. " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 2014. https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/2871 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters Theses by an authorized administrator of TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. For more information, please contact [email protected]. To the Graduate Council: I am submitting herewith a thesis written by Jose Manuel Izquierdo entitled "Belgian identity politics: At a crossroad between nationalism and regionalism." I have examined the final electronic copy of this thesis for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the equirr ements for the degree of Master of Science, with a major in Geography. Micheline van Riemsdijk, Major Professor We have read this thesis and recommend its acceptance: Derek H. Alderman, Monica Black Accepted for the Council: Carolyn R. Hodges Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School (Original signatures are on file with official studentecor r ds.) Belgian identity politics: At a crossroad between nationalism and regionalism A Thesis Presented for the Master of Science Degree The University of Tennessee, Knoxville Jose Manuel Izquierdo August 2014 Copyright © 2014 by Jose Manuel Izquierdo All rights reserved.
    [Show full text]
  • The Parliaments of Belgium and Their International
    THE PARLIAMENTS OF BELGIUM AND THEIR INTERNATIONAL POWERS This brochure aims to provide readers with a bird’s eye per- spective of the distribution of power in Federal Belgium in plain language. Particular emphasis goes out to the role of the Parliamentary assemblies in international affairs. Federal Belgium as we now know it today is the result of a peaceful and gradual political development seeking to give the country’s various Communities and Regions wide-ranging self-rule. This enables them to run their own policies in a way that is closely geared to the needs and wishes of their own citizens. In amongst other elements, the diversity and self-rule of the Regions and Communities manifest themselves in their own Parliaments and Govern- ments. Same as the Federal Parliament, each of these Regional Parliamentary assemblies has its own powers, is able to autonomously adopt laws and regulations for its territory and population and ratify international treaties in respect of its own powers. HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT Belgium became an independent state in 1830 with a bicam- eral Parliament (Chamber of Representatives and Senate) and a Government. The only administrative language at the time was French. Dutch and German were only gradually recognised as administrative languages. The four linguistic regions (Dutch, French, German and the bilingual Region of Brussels-Capital) were established in 1962. Over the course of the second half of the twentieth century came the growing awareness that the best way forward was for the various Communities to be given the widest possi- ble level of self-rule, enabling them to make their own deci- sions in matters such as culture and language.
    [Show full text]
  • The Dutch-French Language Border in Belgium
    The Dutch-French Language Border in Belgium Roland Willemyns Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Germaanse Talen, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium Thisarticle is restricted to adescriptionof languageborder fluctuations in Belgium as faras itsDutch-French portion isconcerned.After a briefdescription of theso-called ‘languagequestion’ in Belgium thenotion of languageborder is discussedin general. Then comesan overviewof thestatus and function of thelanguage border in Belgium and of theactual language border fluctuations as they haveoccurred up to thepresent day. Two problem areas:the ‘ Voerstreek’and theBrussels suburban region are discussedin moredetail. Afterwards language shift and changethrough erosionin Brusselsare analysed as wellas thepart played in thatprocess by linguisticlegislation, languageplanning and sociolinguisticdevelopments. Finally a typology of language borderchange is drawn up and thepatterns of changeare identified in orderto explain and accountforthea lmostunique natureoftheBelgianportion of the Romance-Germanic language border. 1. Introduction Belgium (approximately10 million inhabitants) is a trilingualand federal country,consisting of four different entitiesconstituted on the basisof language: the Dutch-speaking community(called Flanders;58% of the population),the French speaking one (called Wallonia;32%), the smallGerman speaking commu- nity (0.6%)and the Dutch-French bilingual communityof Brussels(9.5%). Since regionalgovernments have legislative power, the frontiersof their jurisdiction, being language borders, are defined in the constitution (Willemyns, 1988). The Belgian portionof the Romance-Germaniclanguage borderis quite remarkablefor mainly two main reasons: (1) itsstatus and function have changed considerablysince the countrycame into existence; (2) itspresent status andfunction arealmost unique ascompared to all the otherportions under consideration.Because of thatit has frequently caughtthe attention(and imagi- nation)of scientistsof variousdisciplines (although,for a long time,mainly of historians;Lamarcq & Rogge,1996).
    [Show full text]
  • Reconstructions of the Past in Belgium and Flanders
    Louis Vos 7. Reconstructions of the Past in Belgium and Flanders In the eyes of some observers, the forces of nationalism are causing such far- reaching social and political change in Belgium that they threaten the cohesion of the nation-state, and may perhaps lead to secession. Since Belgian independ- ence in 1831 there have been such radical shifts in national identity – in fact here we could speak rather of overlapping and/or competing identities – that the political authorities have responded by changing the political structures of the Belgian state along federalist lines. The federal government, the Dutch-speaking Flemish community in the north of Belgium and the French-speaking commu- nity – both in the southern Walloon region and in the metropolitan area of Brus- sels – all have their own governments and institutions.1 The various actors in this federal framework each have their own conceptions of how to take the state-building process further, underpinned by specific views on Belgian national identity and on the identities of the different regions and communities. In this chapter, the shifts in the national self-image that have taken place in Belgium during its history and the present configurations of national identities and sub-state nationalism will be described. Central to this chapter is the question whether historians have contributed to the legitimization of this evolving consciousness, and if so, how. It will be demonstrated that the way in which the practice of historiography reflects the process of nation- and state- building has undergone profound changes since the beginnings of a national his- toriography.
    [Show full text]
  • Belgium (Flemish)
    Belgium (Flemish) Bea Merckx, Artevelde University of Applied Sciences Jerich Faddar Peter Van Petegem University of Antwerp Introduction Overview of Education System Belgium is a federal state, composed of communities and regions. There are three communities: the Flemish community, the French community, and the German-speaking community.1 Education in Belgium is mostly regulated and financed by these communities. The federal government plays only a small role: determining the beginning and end of compulsory education, defining minimum requirements for issuing diplomas, and regulating the retirement of education staff. In Flanders, the Ministry of Education and Training, led by the Minister of Education, is responsible for all stages of education and training, from preschool education to university and adult education. Education in Belgium is compulsory between ages 6 and 18, or until graduation from secondary school. Nearly all children in Flanders attend preschool (ages 2½ to 6). To be allowed to enroll in primary school, a child must have attended preschool for at least 250 half days during the calendar year in which the child turns 6. If the child was not sufficiently present, the primary school’s class council decides whether or not the child can start primary education. If not, the child must attend preschool education for another year. Compulsory education starts on September 1 of the year in which a child turns 6 and ends in June of the year in which he or she turns 18. Thus, there are 12 years of compulsory schooling, comprising 6 years of primary education and 6 years of secondary education. Full-time education is compulsory until students turn 15 or 16.
    [Show full text]
  • Historical Development
    Published on Eurydice (https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/eurydice) After the declaration of independence in October 1830, Belgium was founded in 1831 as a constitutional parliamentary monarchy. The first constitution provided for a unitary state: Political decisions were based on the principle of uniform legislation and central government. Certain powers were transferred very early to the subordinate bodies: the provinces and the local authorities, the municipalities, whose activities were subject to the supervision of the central state. The Flemish Movement (1840), a cultural movement that sought the recognition of the Flemish language and culture, was born very quickly. The aim of this political movement was to introduce bilingualism in Belgium. In fact, the young country was officially monolingual: French was the only official language. Not only the Walloons, but also the Flemish upper middle classes were French- speaking, and Flemish was considered a dialect. A few decades later, the Walloon Movement (1880) emerged. This movement had economic demands: Heavy industry, which made Belgium a leading economic power in Europe, stood in Wallonia. However, the Flemish electorate accounted for a larger share of the electorate: Most political decision-makers therefore came from the Flemish upper middle classes. The Walloon movement demanded greater autonomy for the region in order to manage heavy industry and thus economic development itself. Because of the First World War, the two German districts of Eupen-Malmedy came to Belgium in 1920. The nine German-speaking communities of the area now form the German-speaking Community. The cultural demands of the Flemish movement finally led in 1962 to the definition of the language borders or four language regions: - the Flemish language area, - the territory of the French language, - the area of German language and - the bilingual Brussels-Capital area (French / Dutch).
    [Show full text]
  • At a Glance General Information NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES POPULATION CAPITAL Brussels 11.099.554 Inhabitants
    at a glance General information NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES POPULATION CAPITAL Brussels 11.099.554 inhabitants POPULATION DENSITY OFFICIAL LANGUAGES France Dutch Germany The Netherlands 363 inhab./km² Luxembourg French SURFACE AREA CURRENCY German 30.528 km² € Euro 1 3 4 6 1. St. Peter’s Church, Leuven 2. Citadel of Dinant 3. Bruges 4. Belfry, Tournai 5. Bouillon 6. Rue des Bouchers, Brussels 2 5 Belgium - a country of regions 1 2 Belgium is a federal state made up of three Communities (the Flemish Community, the French Community and the German- speaking Community) and three regions (the Brussels-Capital Region, the Flemish Region and the Walloon Region). The main federal institutions are the federal government and 3 the federal parliament, and the Communities and Regions also have their own legislative and executive bodies. The principal powers of the three Communities in Belgium, which are delimited on linguistic grounds, relate to education, culture, youth support and certain aspects of health policy. The three Regions have powers for ‘territorial issues’, such as public works, agriculture, employment, town and country 4 planning and the environment. 6 5 1. Flemish Region 2. Brussels-Capital Region 3. Walloon Region 4. Flemish Community 5. French Community 6. German-speaking Community The Belgian monarchy Belgium is a constitutional monarchy. King Philippe, the current monarch, is the seventh King of the Belgians. In the political sphere the King does not wield power of his own but acts in consultation with government ministers. In performing his duties, the King comes into contact with many representatives of Belgian society. The King and Queen and the other members of the Royal Family also represent Belgium abroad (state visits, eco- nomic missions and international meetings), while at home fostering close relations with their citizens and promoting public and private initiatives that make a contribution to improving society.
    [Show full text]