Belgium surpasses pre-pandemic investment levels and leads EU in digital innovation
Investments in Belgium have risen above pre-pandemic levels. Businesses in the country are particularly leading the way in digital transformation and innovation compared to their European counterparts.
According to the latest European Investment Bank (EIB) Group Investment Survey released on Wednesday, total investment in Belgium in 2024 was 4 per cent higher than before the Covid-19 crisis. The survey also highlights that Belgian firms are significantly ahead of the EU average in adopting advanced digital technologies and developing new products and services.
Digitalisation and innovation
One of the key takeaways from the report is the high digital adoption rate among Belgian businesses. A striking 90 per cent of firms have integrated digital technologies into their operations, making Belgium the second most digitalised economy in the EU. The country is also leading in the adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT): 65 per cent of businesses are using IoT technology, far ahead of the EU average.
Belgian companies also prioritise innovation, with 39 per cent investing in new products and services, compared to just 25 per cent across the EU. This puts Belgium among the bloc’s frontrunners in technological advancement.
The survey further highlights that Belgium, alongside the Netherlands, is a leader in investments in intangible assets, such as software, data and website development.
Moreover, sustainability remains a focus, with 58 per cent of Belgian firms investing in energy efficiency, a figure well above the European norm.
EIB incentives
Belgium’s results are part of the EIB Group Investment Survey, an annual study based on responses from 13,000 firms across all EU member states and a comparative sample from the US.
The European Investment Bank, the EU’s long-term lending institution, finances projects aligned with EU policy goals, including digitalisation, climate action, security and economic growth. Belgium received just over 2 billion euros in EIB funding last year, with a focus on energy, innovation, small businesses, and climate initiatives.
Investment in Belgium is primarily directed towards digital innovation © BELGA PHOTO HATIM KAGHAT
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