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World Watch Report CONFIDENTIAL WORLD WATCH® REPORT ­­ON­­ Belgium Date: 06/15/2018 14:08:05 GMT / UTC UnitedHealthcare Global Risk | 2925 Briarpark Drive, 11th Floor | Houston, Texas 77042 | ph: (713) 430­7300 | email: [email protected] | url: www.uhcglobal.com World Watch® is confidential and is intended solely for the information and use of UnitedHealthcare Global's clients. Given the nature of the information, UnitedHealthcare Global does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information because agencies outside the control of UnitedHealthcare Global contribute information to World Watch®. While UnitedHealthcare Global vets and verifies all information with the utmost care and consideration for the end user, UnitedHealthcare Global does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and specifically disclaims all responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of, or reliance upon, any of the information on this site, including customized reports created by clients. Any alteration or modification of the content of World Watch®, either from the website or via printed reports, is strictly prohibited. For more information, please contact us at [email protected] or visit www.uhcglobal.com. Copyright © 2018 UnitedHealthcare Global. All rights reserved. For Terms and Conditions go to Terms Of Use World Watch® Report from UnitedHealthcare Global Belgium Executive Summary for Belgium Belgium is a liberal democratic monarchy situated in western Europe. The country is bordered by France to the west, Luxembourg to the south, Germany to the east, and the Netherlands and North Sea to the north. Belgium is comprised of three regions, which are subdivided into provinces. The country is well­known for its historic monuments and buildings, modern amenities and world­class hotels. Brussels serves as the capital of Belgium and as the de facto capital of Europe. King Philippe is the ruling monarch in Belgium. A center­right government ­­ consisting of the New Flemish Alliance (N­VA), the Christian Democratic & Flemish Party (CD&V), the Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats (Open Vld) and the Reformist Movement (MR) ­­ has led Belgium since 2014. The current prime minister is Charles Michel, leader of MR, the only French­ speaking party in the grand coalition. Although Belgium has a prosperous economy, economic issues ­­ namely reducing the country's budget deficit ­­ represent the key challenge facing Michel's government. The overall assessment of threats in Belgium is Medium. Crime, particularly petty crime, is the primary security concern for visitors to Belgium. Street demonstrations in Belgium occur often and are typically peaceful, with traffic disruptions being the most relevant concern for travelers; on occasion, however, clashes between protesters and police officers occur. Strikes in the public and private sectors also occur occasionally and may disrupt transportation and other services used by travelers. The threat of terrorism perpetrated by Islamist militants ­­ such as those affiliated with or inspired by al­Qaeda or the Islamic State (IS) ­­ represents a continuing threat in Belgium. This was most notably illustrated on 22 March 2016 when three explosions occurred in Brussels, leaving more than 30 people dead and over 250 others injured. Belgium Information Country Facts Current Analysis Official Kingdom of Belgium Country Name Charles Michel is the current prime minister and leads a center­right coalition Type Of Federal parliamentary democracy government consisting of four parties. Government under a constitutional monarchy Belgium's economy is relatively stable and continued growth is expected in the Leadership Chief of State: King Philippe; Head coming years. of Government: Prime Minister Charles Michel Political Situation Capital Brussels Federal elections were last held in May 2014, which coincided with European Official Dutch, French and German elections. However, because Belgian politics have historically been deeply Language divided along linguistic lines between French­speaking Wallonia to the south and Population 11.4 million Dutch­speaking Flanders to the north (discussed further below), a new Ethnic Belgian 75%, Italian 4.1%, government did not form until October 2014. Charles Michel, leader of the Divisions Moroccan 3.7%, French 2.4%, Reformist Movement (MR), is the current prime minister and leads a center­right Turkish 2%, Dutch 2% coalition consisting of the New Flemish Alliance (N­VA), the Christian Currency Euro Democratic & Flemish Party (CD&V), the Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats (Open Vld) and the MR. Michel's MR party is the only French­speaking party in GDP Growth 0.5% the governing coalition. Economic issues ­­ namely reducing the country's Inflation 1.4% budget deficit ­­ represent the key challenge facing Michel's government. Office Work 0830­1730 M­F Linguistic and cultural differences between Flemish speakers in the north and Week French speakers in the south have led to a gradual division between the two Religion Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant regions, resulting in increased autonomy and self­governance. However, and other Christian 2.5%, Muslim separation would be detrimental to French­speaking Wallonia, the poorer 5% southern region that has come to depend on the more prosperous northern Unemployment 6.6% region of Flanders for economic assistance. Wallonia politicians have been Time Zone UTC + 1 (Daylight Saving Time accused of corruption and of poorly managing the southern economy, and Dutch Offset Observed) speakers in Flanders have long resented what they see as the north’s subsidizing Country Phone 32 of the Wallonia economy. Code International Relations Capital City 2 Phone Code World Watch® Report from UnitedHealthcare Global There are no significant international issues that affect security and safety Nationwide 112 concerns within this country. Emergency Number(s) Economic Situation Northern Belgium (known as Flanders) is wealthier overall than southern Wallonia, and it contributes approximately 60 percent to Belgium's overal GDP. Unemployment is also lower in Flanders than Wallonia. GDP growth overall is expected to marginally increase over the next several years, according to reports issued by the OECD in 2018. The World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Index for 2017­2018 ranked Belgium 20th out of 137 countries and the country ranks 16th on Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index 2017. Finally, in the World Bank's 2017 Ease of Doing Business Survey, Belgium ranked 52nd out of 190 countries. Security Issues The main security concern in Belgium is crime, mostly petty theft. Demonstrations are a concern, primarily due to the disruption they sometimes cause to traffic. Strikes also occur occassionally in Belgium, and may affect transportation and public services. The threat of terrorism remains a significant concern in Belgium. Crime The security concern visitors to Belgium are most likely to encounter is opportunistic, nonviolent crime. Travelers should be alert for pickpockets and purse snatchers in larger urban areas and tourist areas, especially while traveling by public transportation and when in crowded locations. Criminals often work in small teams and use distraction techniques to steal wallets and purses in high­traffic areas; travelers are often targeted because of their perceived affluence and their general unfamiliarity with the area. Laptop computers and other valuable electronics (such as smart phones) are popular targets for thieves. Thefts of and from vehicles are among the most frequent crimes to occur in Belgium. In recent years the frequency of carjackings has increased. Theft from hotel rooms is also a growing concern. Violet crime occurs occasionally, but rarely affects foreign visitors. Demonstrations Demonstrations and protests related to domestic or international issues occur frequently in Belgium, most often in larger cities, such as Brussels. While these events are generally peaceful, they can cause disruptions to traffic. Visitors should avoid large gatherings as a precautionary measure, as violence has broken out at demonstrations in the past. Strikes Labor strikes in various economic sectors occur occasionally in Belgium; these events may be of concern to travelers because they may significantly disrupt public services. Past labor actions have affected operations at airports and local transportation services (such as bus, rail and subway services). Strikes are frequently announced with little prior notice, so travelers should keep abreast of developments ahead of and during their trips. Terrorism The threat of terrorism perpetrated by Islamist militant groups ­­ such as those affiliated with or inspired by al­Qaeda or the Islamic State (IS) ­­ and by radicalized individuals inspired by extremist movements, remains a significant concern in Belgium. The country is a potential target for terrorists due to the number of high­profile international institutions located inside the country, such as the headquarters of the European Union (EU) and NATO. Additionally, Belgium's participation in the coalition fighting against IS in Syria and Iraq increases the likelihood of being targeted, particularly as Belgian's who traveled to the Middle East to fight alongside jihadists begin returning to the country. Belgian authorities raised the nationwide terror alert level to level 3 ­­ which is the second­highest
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