Active at three levels

FEB initiatives cover all areas of business activity at national, European and international level. We have grouped these initiatives into 17 broad areas of activity (‘Government & politics’, ‘Pensions & ageing’, ‘Economy’, ‘Social security’, ‘Europe’, ‘Corporate governance’,  etc.).

Nationally…

… FEB presents and defends the interests of business not only in dealings with government and trade unions but also to the media, NGOs and the academic world. The organisation’s practical initiatives and proposals are designed to promote more business-friendly policies. FEB also acts as a social partner in the negotiation of a range of multi-sector agreements and contracts. Within the Group of 10, FEB plays an important part in the two-yearly negotiations with the trade unions on a social agreement for the entire private sector in Belgium. As part of this work, it pays particular attention to improving the competitiveness of businesses. FEB also officially represents private sector businesses within a large number of federal bodies such as the Central Economic Council, the National Labour Council, the Council of Regency of the National Bank of Belgium, the joint industrial management of the Social Security (among others NSSO, NEO), the Consumer Council, the Belgian Export Credit Agency and Federal Council for Sustainable Development.

To ensure that it has the broadest possible support and is always fully in touch with business concerns, FEB maintains close ties with Belgium’s chambers of commerce and industry via the Federation of Belgian Chambers of Commerce. 

At European level…

… FEB actively promotes its members’ interests in the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council of Ministers. FEB is the Belgian member of BUSINESSEUROPE (Confederation of European Business), where it helps to further the European integration process. The organisation also works closely with representatives from the Belgian economic sphere in the European Economic and Social Committee.

Internationally…

… FEB works actively to develop international economic relations, for example during state visits to Belgium and economic missions abroad. The primary aims are to make it easier for Belgian products and services to be launched on international markets and to attract new foreign investors to Belgium. As part of this work, FEB also actively monitors trade negotiations under the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The organisation also endeavours to improve relations between the Belgian business community and international organisations. FEB sits on the Business and Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC) to the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) as well as the International Labour Office. It is actively involved in the activities of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), of which ICC Belgium is a member.