Despite the collapse of government negotiations on August 23rd, a centre-right coalition, led by Yves Leterme, is likely to emerge in late 2007. The issue of devolution may be addressed only after a new government is formed. Foreign policy will remain pro-EU and pro-UN. Our central forecast is that GDP growth will slow from 3% in 2006 to 2.4% in 2007 and 2.2% in 2008-09. Inflation (EU harmonised measure) is projected to remain below 2% over the forecast period. The current-account surplus is forecast at 2-3% of GDP. |
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| Key Reports Available for Belgium |
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| Total area | | 30,528 sq km: 28% arable, 29% other agriculture, 20% forest, 19% built-up (2005) | | Flanders: 13,522 sq km | | Wallonia: 16,844 sq km | | Brussels-Capital: 162 sq km | | Population | | 10,584,534 (January 1st 2007) | | Main urban areas | | Population in '000 (January 1st 2007) | | Brussels (capital): 1,031 | | Antwerp: 961 | | Liege: 595 | | Charleroi: 423 | | Climate | | Temperate | | Weather in Brussels (altitude 100 metres) | | Hottest month: July, 20°C (average daily temperature over four recent years); coldest month: January, 5°C (average daily temperature); driest month: March, 65 mm average rainfall; wettest month: December, 119 mm average rainfall | | Languages | | Dutch (Flemish), French and German | | Measures | | Metric system | | Currency | | Euro (€)=100 cents. From January 1st 2002 notes and coins denominated in Belgian francs were replaced by euro banknotes and coins. Average exchange rate in 2006: US$1.26:€1; exchange rate in June 2008: US$1.56:€1 | | Time | | One hour ahead of GMT (two hours ahead in summer) | | Public holidays | | January 1st, Easter Monday, May 1st, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, July 21st (Independence Day), August 15th, November 1st, November 11th (Armistice Day), December 25th; in Flanders: July 11th; in Wallonia: September 27th |
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