Belgium, strategically located in the heart of Europe, is a key trading partner for Italy thanks to its economy, which is particularly open to international trade, and the presence of some of the most advanced logistical infrastructure in Europe, such as the Port of Antwerp, the airports of Brussels, Charleroi and Liège, and a highly developed motorway and river network.
In 2024, the trade exchange between Italy and Belgium reached a value of EUR 45.5 billion. Italian exports to Belgium amounted to EUR 19.3 billion, while imports from Belgium reached EUR 26.2 billion, resulting in a negative trade balance for Italy of approximately EUR 6.9 billion.
In 2024, the main sectors of Italian exports to Belgium were: pharmaceutical, chemical-medicinal items (36.9%), machinery and equipment (10.9%), food, beverages and tobacco (9.0%), metals (8.0%), means of transport (6.8%) chemical products (6.4%).
The Italian entrepreneurial presence in Belgium is significant and diversified. The main Italian groups with significant investments in Belgium include: A2A, Autogrill, Ariston Thermo, Beltrami, Burgo, Calzedonia, Case New Holland, CNH Industrial, Duferco, Eni, Enel, Ferrero, Fenzi, Fiat, Grimaldi, ITA Airways, Mapei, Menarini, MSC, Pastificio Rana, Pirelli, Riva, Save, Sofidel, STMicroelectronics, FNC Logistics and Transport, Tecnolam, Aluk, IMI FABI and Borghi. Leonardo’s investments through Telespazio Belgium and Save’s investments at Charleroi Airport are also worth mentioning.
In Belgium, Sistema Italia is well present to offer support to Italian companies with
Ambasciata Italiana a Bruxelles
ITA Italian Trade Agency – Ufficio di Bruxelles
Camera di Commercio Belgo-Italiana
Fonti:
https://www.infomercatiesteri.it/public/osservatorio/schede-sintesi/belgio_59.pdf
https://www.infomercatiesteri.it//public/ime/schede-sintesi/r_59_belgio.pdf