Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt on Thursday called for more Japanese private sector investment in his country, which has been enjoying one of its best periods of economic growth in a decade.
Speaking at a luncheon meeting hosted by the Japan Federation of Economic Organizations (Keidanren) and three other business organizations, Verhofstadt said Japan is a major trading partner that accounts for 18 percent of Belgium's exports to Asia.
With a series of major Japanese players -- including Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. -- operating in Belgium, he said, Japan is already the second largest investor in his country.
"(Belgium) is an excellent test market and launching pad for products and operations of business into the European market," he said. In this regard he emphasized Belgium's highly productive workforce, dense transportation network and its efficient telecommunications infrastructure.
In order to stimulate foreign investment, Verhofstadt also said that many investment incentives such as grants and tax deductions are available through federal and regional administrations.