Wallonia-Nordics Take your business to the next level in the heart of Europe

Welcome to Wallonia, where scientific innovation is turned into real-world solutions.

Turning breakthroughs into reality, and scaling up your business, means being in the right place, with the right people, at the right time. 

From some of the world’s leading BioTechs to nuclear medicine, advanced treatments, pharma, and even sustainable City Mining, Wallonia, Belgium, is a major European hub for research, manufacturing and innovation in science.

We’re at the forefront of life sciences with top rankings in R&D per capita and clinical trials, and we’re leading the charge in City Mining, pioneering the sustainable recycling of secondary raw materials.

We do things differently in Wallonia.

We approach innovation with the pragmatism and real-world solutions to push ideas forward. From investment grants and support for R&D, and ready-to-go infrastructure, plus tax incentives that lower labour costs and a reduced corporate tax rate – all designed to help innovators get off the ground, and established businesses to grow.

When it comes to being at the cutting edge of science and innovation, you need more than the right brains. You need to be in the right place.

Welcome to Wallonia.

To find out more about how we can work together, please get in touch.

Six really good reasons to invest in Wallonia

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We’re at the heart of Europe

Wallonia is the gateway to Europe, offering unmatched access to talent, suppliers and clients. But what really sets us apart is how we connect companies and services from Europe to the rest of the world through our stellar logistics and infrastructure. This is one of our main value propositions that supports our thriving business ecosystem. Liege Airport, for example, is Belgium’s number one cargo airport and the fifth largest in Europe, handling 3,000 tonnes of cargo every day, reaching 400 million consumers around the clock. With over 15,000m² dedicated to medical and pharmaceutical products and more than 10,000m² for temperature-controlled perishable goods, it’s no wonder it serves as a hub for numerous humanitarian aid organisations and NGOs. Major pharmaceutical giants like Johnson & Johnson, GSK and Baxter have established their bases nearby to make the most of its logistical capabilities.

With a rich and flourishing ecosystem

With hundreds of thousands active companies in key sectors, Wallonia’s entrepreneurial spirit is the driver behind its vibrant and dense business landscape. And it’s not just the big names like GSK. We’re home to a diverse mix of well-known companies and local champions too – all shining examples of Wallonia’s knack for nurturing homegrown success.

A region brimming with talent

We know that in the business world it’s the people, their skills and their talent that drive success. Our ecosystem is shaped by talent and businesses benefit from easy access to the skills, experience and expertise they need through European workforce and innovation programmes.

And an attractive tax environment

Wallonia is where ideas meet funding opportunities. We’re committed to investing in your success, offering you a supportive and business-friendly environment with tax and incentives tailored to support your investment projects. We care about every single project, believing in your potential and co-investing in your success. From public investment funds, incentives and financial support available at all stages of development, to R&D to export, and access to EU incentives through the personalised support of the National Contact Points, Wallonia provides the resources and assistance you need to succeed. We’re small but connected, that’s why we care about every single project that comes our way and why we can provide your projects with the tailor-made, VIP service they need.

With innovation in our DNA

Supported by our investment in infrastructure, our skilled talent, and access to funding, Wallonia’s business ecosystem is at the forefront of multiple innovative projects, from pioneering research centres to groundbreaking discoveries. Belgium ranks among the top 5 most innovative countries, according to the EU Innovation Scoreboard. And when it comes to biopharma research and development investment, Belgium is leading the pack in Europe.

Where the industry of the future takes shape

Wallonia has a long industrial history, during which it has constantly, and successfully, reinvented itself. Now, through strong collaborations between the education sector, industry and research centres, we’ve cultivated an active culture of innovation that drives our cutting-edge sectors forward. And there’s still room for growth. Wallonia offers vast open spaces, from greenfields to brownfields, ready to welcome your industrial projects and support your expansion efforts. With over 12,000 hectares of usable surface and more than 450 industrial estates, the possibilities are endless.

Wallonia and the Nordics – a lasting relationship

Did you know, Wallonia has a 400-year history with northern European countries, particularly Sweden and Finland? And it’s a relationship that endures to this day. In fact, the Nordic market is one of Wallonia’s top 10 trading relationships, with Sweden, Iceland, Norway, Denmark and Finland all benefitting from the products and services we provide.

Ours is a shared history of industrial partnership. Back in the 17th century, several thousand Walloons immigrated to central and eastern Sweden to develop the local iron and steel industry. 25 forges were operated by Walloons up until the 20th century. In Finland, the Walloons settled in Fiskars, where they made a major contribution to the modernisation of the Finnish army through the steel industry. Fast forward to the 21st century, and we’re home to Nordic innovators from across the region, pushing the boundaries of science together, to build the industries of the future.

We look forward to welcoming your business, and further strengthening the ties between our two regions. 

Dedicated to growth in Wallonia, and beyond

The Wallonia Export & Investment Agency is an official government agency, dedicated to attracting innovative and dynamic companies to invest in the Wallonia region of Belgium and build their businesses here.

 

Our offices are located at the Belgian Embassy in Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo, our services are completely free of charge and you can also rely on our extensive team of experts in Belgium for support, including:

  • Help with all legal aspects of setting up a business

  • Links to local authorities, universities and technological partners thanks to special relationships with local Economic Development Agencies and the Science Parks of Wallonia

  • Organised visits to real estate locations

  • Introductions to other companies, banks and regulators

  • Connections with trustworthy specialised services such as tax, legal, HR and Finance

  • Assistance with recruitment

  • Boosted international growth through the support of our worldwide network