globalEDGE NEWSLETTER


Belgium

November 2008
Vol. 7 - Issue 7
 
FROM THE globalEDGE TEAM
As you may have already noticed, our newsletter looks a bit different this month. We here at globalEDGE have decided to change things up a bit for you, the reader.

Now through November 21, globalEDGE will be celebrating international business innovation by supporting Global Entrepreneurship Week. The gE Blog will feature posts that deal specifically with entrepreneurship and how to successfully enter the global market. Readers can expect to find new resources, including articles, whitepapers, and studies that focus on creating a viable international business. Join us on globalEDGE.msu.edu for this very special and exciting week!
 
FACT OF THE MONTH...
Belgium is home to the world's first Beer Academy. Beer Academy grads receive "Masters of Beer"
diplomas.
 
BELGIUM

FROM THE globalEDGE BLOG

When the country of Belgium is discussed, many often think of its waffles or chocolates. However, Belgium is an important player on the global business field and is home to many prominent corporations. Unfortunately, Belgium can’t seem to escape conflict.

Debate has been rampant in the Belgian government on how to balance power between nearly 6.5 million Dutch speakers and 4 million Francophones, and the conflict caused the Belgian government to collapse in July, leaving power of the government in the hands of the King. This collapse of government has had widespread effects on Belgian’s economy, most notably in the southern region of Wallonia. Wallonia is struggling to change its bleak economic image, as there is also a 17% unemployment rate in the region as a whole. So what does this mean for Belgium?

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FEATURED RESOURCES

Belgium: Country Commercial Guides 2008

The U.S. Commercial Service's Country Commercial Guides are a rich source for information on the commercial environment of a country. Prepared by U.S. embassy staff, the guides cover the economic and business environment, political climate, trade regulations, investment climate, business travel and a whole range of other trade related information for each country.
Category: Trade: Company Directories

Belgium: Export Services

This website allows both importers and exporters to find potential business partners on the sites' database. The database contains information on location, phone number, email, and web address.
Category: Trade: Company Directories

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FEATURED ACADEMY

Doing Business in the European Union

The European Union module allows one to gain insight into topics including: member countries and the demographics of EU citizens, along with their unifying factors and areas of diversity; the transformation into a single market economy; EU – U.S. agreements that promote trade; and areas of opportunity for American companies to increase and/or expand dealings with the EU. A case study is provided on the daily implications of the European Union and the euro on life in Liechtenstein – a country that is not a member of the European Union and does not use the Euro, but is surrounded by member countries.
Category: Online Course Modules

French: BBC Languages - Work Talk France

Developed by the BBC, this guide is based on the “Make German…Make French Your Business” television programs. The information can either be used in conjunction with the television program or on its own. Sections featured include: audio, key phrases, select vocabulary, practices, self-check, transcripts and translation, and references. Most material is presented in French with English translations provided. Audio needs Real Player to function.
Category: Business Language Guides

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globalEDGE Business Review: Technology

As technological innovations continue to grow at a rapid rate, we at globalEDGE are curious how such innovations affect the world of international business. A globalEDGE Business Review article by Michael Kasavana explores this issue further:
Executive Briefing: Technology can provide competitive advantage through product differentiation, unique services, cost reductions, and informed market segmentation. In addition, productivity is improved through gains in both data processing and workflow processing procedures. Together automation applications can be evaluated relative to enhanced profitability. Using these three ‘common sense’ benchmarks provides a beyond best practices approach to the evaluation of information technology.
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