July 2009 Flanders Economy and Public Finances
Mar 29, 2015
July 2009
FlandersEconomy and Public Finances
2
Agenda
I. Summary
II. Economy
III. Public Finances
3
Flanders in a nutshell
Key Points and Major Strengths
Flanders benefits from:
• A wealthy and diversified economy
• Sound budgets despite cyclical economy
• A strong educational system
• A strong taxable basis with a GDP around EUR 200 bn.
• Strong and stable credit ratings
• Solid financial position on a consolidated level
• Prudent and sophisticated management
• Low regional debt and continued focus on fiscal discipline
4
Agenda
I. Summary
II. Economy
III. Public Finances
5
Capital Brussels
Language Dutch
Surface 13 684 km²
Population 6 161 600 (2008)
Density 450 hab./km² (2008)
Currency Euro
N° of Companies 537 800
Nominal GDP EUR 200 bn (2008)
GDP/Capita EUR 30 500 (2008)
Income/Capita EUR 33 300 (2008)
Economy
Main Facts & Figures
6
Economy
Strong Economic Fundamentals
Flanders benefits from very strong economic fundamentals. Despite the current virulent economic
crisis, most economic indicators should remain sound and encouraging in the coming years.
Flanders France Germany Netherlands EU - 27
Unemployment Rate* 3,9% 7,4% 7,6% 2,7% 7,1%
Real GDP Growth Rate* 1,1% 0,4% 1,3% 2,1% 0,9%
(*) 2008 figures
Source: Eurostat, Study Office of the Flemish Government
7
Economy
Stands Out from its Peers
(2007 figures) Flanders Baden-Wuerttemberg
Bavaria Catalonia (region of)
Hesse Madrid (region of)
North Rhine-Westphalia
Credit rating (S&P/M/F)
AA+/Aaa AA+/Aaa/AAA AAA/Aaa/AAA
AA/Aa2/A+ AA/-/AAA AA+/Aa1/AA AA-/Aa1/AAA
Country Belgium Germany Germany Spain Germany Spain Germany
Population 6,0 m 10,7 m 12,5 m 7,2 m 6,0 m 6,0 m 18,0 m
Unemployment rate
3,9% 4,9% 6,2% 6,6% 7,7% 6,3% 9,4%
Operating balance (% of operating revenues)
7,8% 3,5% 9,0% 7,8% -1,0% 14,4% -1,0%
Balance after capital exp.
2,7% -1,4% 1,4% -6,5% -2,3% 3,1% -8,4%
Total Revenues (EUR billion)
22,875 34,267 38,253 22,109 20,386 17,583 47,514
Direct debt (% of operating rev.)
1,2% 129,1% 65,9% 59,1% 160,1% 31,1% 254,9%
Source: S&P, Moody’s
Gov
ern
men
t
8
Economy
An Economy based on Trade and Services
Source: Institute of National Accounts (2007)
Secondary Sector28%
Primary Sector
1%
Tertiary Sector71%
• Real Estate and Business
Services: 24%
• Wholesale and Retail: 15%
• Transport: 8%
• Health Services: 7%
• Construction: 6%
• Chemicals: 4%
• Iron, Metal & Steel: 3%
• Food & Tabacco: 3%
9
Economy
High GDP per Capita (2008)
Source: Eurostat, Study Office of the Flemish Government
20
22
24
26
28
30
32
34
Flanders Belgium France Netherlands Germany UnitedKingdom
EU-15 EU-27
EUR (thousands)
10
Economy
Low Unemployment Rate
Source: Eurostat, Study Office of the Flemish Government
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Flanders Belgium France Netherlands Germany EU-15 EU-27
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
%
11
Economy
Flanders’ Employment: Resilient in Periods of Crisis
Economic Growth and Employment in Flanders, 1981 - 2008
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1,900,000
2,000,000
2,100,000
2,200,000
2,300,000
2,400,000
2,500,000
2,600,000
Real % GDP growth (left scale) Total employment (right scale)
Years of Economic
Restructuring
German unifi cation and
preparing for the
Maastricht criteria
Reorganisations
after investment
hausse and dot.com
hype
Source: Eurostat, Study Office of the Flemish Government
%
12
Economy
Flanders’ Key Strengths
• Located in the heart of Europe
• Unique European hub
• Strong export-driven economy
• Diversified base of trading partners
• Foreign direct investment figures & trading partners
• Diversified economy
• Highly qualified workforce
• R&D competence center
13
Economy
Located in the Heart of Europe
Flanders lies at the center of the EU’s
wealthiest and most populated area –
and Flanders has the highly
developed transport and
communications systems required for
companies to take full advantage of
this fact.
14
Economy
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 hubs
Brussels, Ostend
Extensive inland waterway system
Linking into the European system
High density of freeways
Connecting directly to other European countries
High density rail network
Dedicated freight lines to other parts of Europe
15
Economy
Increase in Flemish Exports (EUR billion / Nominal Figures)
201
146
191178
169158
0
50
100
150
200
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Regional Distribution of Belgian of Belgian Exports (%)
Flanders80%
Wallonia18%
Brussels2%
Strong Export-Driven Economy
The Flemish economy is strongly export-oriented, in particular in the areas of food, beverage,
automobiles, iron and steel. Flanders’ exports represent over 80% of Belgium’s total export in
volume.
Source: Institute for the National Accounts (National Bank of Belgium)
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Economy
Diversified Base of Trading Partners
The Flemish export markets have traditionally been focused on Western Europe and more
particularly on Germany.
TOP 10 Flemish Export Markets in 2008 (in EUR billion and as % of total)
16.8%
13.9%13.6%
7.9%
4.9%4.4%
4.0% 2.7% 1.8% 1.8%
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Ge
rma
ny
Ne
ther
lan
ds
Fra
nce
Un
ited
Kin
gdo
m
Ita
ly
Un
ited
Sta
tes
Sp
ain
Ind
ia
Po
lan
d
Sw
ed
en
Source: Eurostat, Study Office of the Flemish Government
17
Economy
Foreign Direct Investment Figures & Trade Partnerships
Top 10 biggest investors (in 2008, total =100)
1 USA 28%
2 Netherlands 12%
3 Germany 11%
4 UK 9%
5 Japan 8%
Flanders has a proven track record of welcoming
foreign businesses to its region.
Life Sciences Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Schering-Plough, AstraZeneca, ...
Automotive Ford, General Motors, Volvo, …
ICT Alcatel Lucent, British Telecom, Philips, ST Microelectronics, ...
Chemicals BASF, Total, Suez-GDF, Bayer, Kaneka, Nippon Shokubai, ...
Food Products Heinz, Procter & Gamble, Tropicana, ...
Logistics Caterpillar Logistics, Deutsche Post, NYK, ...
Source: Flanders Investment and Trade Office
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Economy
R&D Competence Center
Share (%) of workers in knowledge intensive sectors
0
5
10
15
Fla
nd
ers
Fra
nce
Th
eN
eth
erl
an
ds
Ge
rma
ny
EU
-27
Source: Eurostat, Study Office of the Flemish Government (2006)
Share (%) of GDP invested in Research & Development
0
1
2
3
Fla
nder
s
Fra
nce
The
Net
herla
nds
Ger
man
y
EU
-27
19
Economy
Education: Flanders on Track for the Future
Source: PISA 2006, Average country scores
Top countries
Finland 563 Korea 556
Hong Kong China 542 Finland 547
Hong Kong - China 536
Excellent countries
Canada 534 Chinese Taipei 549 Canada 527
Chinese Taipei 532 Finland 548 Flanders 522Estonia 531 Hong Kong China 547 New Zealand 521
Japan 531 Korea 547 Ireland 517
New Zealand 530 Flanders 543Flanders 529Australia 527
Netherlands 525
Korea 522
Liechtenstein 522
Average46 countries! 53 countries! 50 countries!
Germany 516 Netherlands 531 Netherlands 507
United Kingdom 515 Germany 504 United Kingdom 495
France 495 France 496 Germany 495
United Kingdom 495 France 488
Scientific literacy Mathematical literacy Reading literacy
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Economy
Flanders in Action
A well-defined plan to make sure that Flanders will be in the
top five of the European regions by the year 2020 carried by
all social groups in Flanders
To ensure and assure the region’s future by developing it into
an innovation-driven, ecologically sustainable and socially
welcoming society
Vision & Ambition
Goal
20 Concrete Objectives Examples:
• Increase of R&D from 2,1% to 3,0% of GDP
• Double number of participants in lifelong learning
programs
21
Economy
Countering the Economic Crisis in the Nearby Future•Capital injections in financial sector for a total amount of EUR 4.5 bn (KBC, Dexia, Ethias)
•“Restore Confidence” planStrengthen the granting of credit and capital to companies (EUR 300 m guarantee scheme) and
l aunch of XL-fund which provides growth capitalEnhancement of the activation policy on the labour market Speed up investments (total indicative budget of EUR 842 million
•Special measure to increase purchasing power (EUR 710 m)
•Financing was done using existing cash reserves and EUR 2.8 bn in bond issuance. An additional call on the debt capital markets will further complete the financing
Continued focus a balanced budget on the medium termFollowing the elections of June 7, 3 parties (Christian democrats (CD&V), Flemish conservative nationalist party (N-VA) and the socialist SP.A party) are in the process of forming a new government. During the negotiations, all parties have put a special emphasis on savings measures to attain a balanced budget
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Agenda
I. Summary
II. Economy
III. Public Finances
23
Public Finances
Belgium Federal Structure
Federal State
10 Provinces
3 Regions:FlandersWalloniaBrussels
589 Towns and Cities
3 Communities:FlemishFrenchGerman
The Flemish Community and the
Flemish Region decided to merge
their competences.
As a result, Flanders has one Flemish
Parliament, one Flemish Government
and one public administration,
responsible for community and
regional matters.
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Federal State
Public Finances
Competence Distribution
•Public Finances•Defense•Security•Justice•Social Security•Public Health•Domestic & International politics •Transport &
Communication
Flanders
Flemish Community
•Education•Culture•Public health
(prevention)•Welfare•Language issues•Child protection
Flemish Region
•Economic development & co-operation•Public infrastructure•Town & country
planning•Environment•Energy•Employment•Agriculture•Foreign Trade•Regional transport•Control & organization of local governments
25
Public Finances
Revenues by Segment
Specific allocations
4%
Regional taxes20%
Others1%
Combined and shared taxes
75%
0.0
5,000.0
10,000.0
15,000.0
20,000.0
25,000.0
30,000.0
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Combined and shared taxes Specific allocations Regional taxes
Allocated income Other funds Credit grants and participations
Source: Flemish Community, Department of Finance and Budget (2009)
Combined taxes are part of Belgium’s personal income tax levied in Flanders.
Shared taxes are part of Belgium VAT and transferred at endowment to Flanders.
EUR (million)
26
Public Finances
Breakdown of Public Spending
Finance and Budget
5%
Culture,Youth , Sports and
Media5%
Education and Training
37%
Rest9%
Economy, Science and Innovation
4%
Administrative affairs10%
Work and Social Economy
6%
Mobility and Public Works
12%
Public Health and Family
Welfare12%
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Education and Training Public Health and Family Welfare Mobility and Public Works
Administrative affairs Rest Work and Social Economy
Finance and Budget Culture,Youth , Sports and Media Economy,Science and Innovation
Source: Flemish Community, Department of Finance and Budget (2009)
EUR (million)
27
Public Finances
Flanders Sustaining Belgian Financial Stability
Source: Institute of National Accounts (National Bank of Belgium)
0
200
400
600
800
1 000
1 200
1 400
1 600
1 800
2 000
19
99
20
00
20
01
20
02
20
03
20
04
20
05
20
06
20
07
20
08
-600
-400
-200
0
200
400
600
800
1 000
1 200
1 400
Balance to be achieved (left scale) Realizations (left scale) Difference between balance and realizations (right scale)
EUR (million) EUR (million)
28
Public Finances
History of a Healthy Budget…
Source: Flemish Community, Department of Finance and Budget
EUR (billion) EUR (million)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
19
92
19
93
19
94
19
95
19
96
19
97
19
98
19
99
20
00
20
01
20
02
20
03
20
04
20
05
20
06
20
07
20
08
*
-1 000
-500
0
500
1 000
1 500
Revenue (Left Scale) Expenditure (Left Scale) Balance (Surplus/deficit) (Right Scale)
(*) Without redemption of local debt (EUR 650 million) and capital injection in Dexia & Ethias (EUR 1 000
million) in 2008
29
Public Finances
…has led to zero-debt in 2008
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
19
90
19
91
19
92
19
93
19
94
19
95
19
96
19
97
19
98
19
99
20
00
20
01
20
02
20
03
20
04
20
05
20
06
20
07
20
08
From the 1995 peak, Flanders has reduced its debt at the regional to zero end of 2008
Source: Flemish Community, Department of Finance and Budget
EUR (billion)
30
Contacts
Hedwig Van der BorghtSecretary – general
Flemish Community, Department of Finance and Budget+32 2 553 54 09
Luc KeeremanHead of financial management division
Flemish Community, Department of Finance and Budget+32 2 553 54 34
31
Disclaimer
This presentation has been prepared by Flanders for informational purposes only. Although the information in this presentation has been obtained from sources which Flanders believes to be reliable, we do not represent or warrant its accuracy, and such information may be incomplete or condensed. This presentation report is not intended to provide the sole basis for any evaluation of the transactions discussed herein. All estimates and opinions included in this presentation constitute our judgment as of the date of the presentation and may be subject to change without notice. Changes to assumptions may have a material impact on any recommendations made herein. Flanders will not accept any liability whatsoever for any loss howsoever arising, directly or indirectly, from the use of this presentation or the information provided for in this presentation or otherwise arising in connection with this presentation.
This presentation is confidential and is provided to you for information purposes only and does not constitute a public offering or an investment service in Belgium. This presentation is being submitted to selected recipients only and neither this presentation nor any other offering materials may be distributed, published or made available to the public in Belgium. This presentation may not be reproduced or passed on (in whole or in part) to any other person than the selected recipients. Neither this presentation nor any offering materials may be used in relation to any investment service in Belgium unless all conditions of directive 2004/39/EC, as implemented in Belgium, are satisfied. Neither this document nor any offering materials can be used to publicly solicit, provide advice or information to, or otherwise provoke requests from, the public in Belgium in relation to the offering. Any offering in Belgium is made exclusively on a private basis in accordance with article 3 of the Belgian law of 16 June 2006 on the public offering of investment instruments and the admission of investment instruments to the trading on a regulated market.
© March 2009 Flanders. All rights reserved.