Vision

In this section you find FEB's strategic vision.

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STRATeGy 2010

 Executive Summary

All European economies must face up to the twin issues of globalization and an ageing population. The Belgian economy has the potential to address these issues, but it is hamstrung by a number of profound structural problems that place its future into considerable doubt.

The competitiveness gap between Belgium and its neighbouring economies has been widening at a worrisome pace in recent months, reaching 10% when gauged against Germany, France and Netherlands. Without corrective measures and despite certain recent positive steps by Belgium's federal and regional governments, this ever-widening divide risks disconnecting Belgium from its closest neighbours as well as from its other European partners - no to mention emerging and fastgrowing economies elsewhere in the world.

Reforms are already underway in Germany and the Netherlands. It is high time to act before Belgium's competitive deficit gets much worse and forces fierce, more radical measures. There are some prerequisites for taking action, however. For Belgium's economic and social actors to initiate any meaningful measures in favour of economic growth and jobs, they must first get rid of a series of taboos, preconceived ideas and bad habits that make it impossible for them to see the bigger picture.

2006 is a critical year. The introduction of the 'Solidarity Pact Between Generations' provides a positive signal of change. One swallow does not make a spring, however, and much more is needed to reverse the current trend of eroding competitiveness. 

Strategy 2010, the result of much thought by the VBOFEB and its member federations, is both ambitious and necessary. Putting the strategy into action will require courage. We will have to fight pessimism and the desire to preserve the comfort of the status quo. The necessary changes must be taken on with enthusiasm and fresh thinking.

In a nutshell, Strategy 2010 is about creating the right conditions for entrepreneurship to flourish. Business can prosper only if it is not overburdened with constraints, and requires sufficient workforce in terms of quality and quantity. In return, business creates the employment, the innovation and wealth that is needed to meet the legitimate needs of society while progressively curbing the control of the state.

Interlinked and mutually reinforcing, our proposals are designed to get the Belgian economy back on track in a virtuous cycle of more growth and more jobs. We are confident we can boost economic growth to an annual 2.5% during the period 2006 to 2010.

Our plan is a realistic one. We have made sure that our proposed measures will help maintain healthy public finances. Rather than upset the budgetary balance, our plan will generate new sources of income and savings, creating additional means to finance the future costs of caring for an ageing population.

 Read the Executive Summary