Doing Business

Business Etiquette

• Steer clear of political debates during business meetings and functions. The French/Flemish cultural and linguistic divide is a particularly sensitive subject, as is the colonial period of what's now the Democratic Republic of Congo
• Dress formally for meetings. Men should wear a suit and tie
• Traditional values prevail. Men are expected to open doors for women and walk through after them
• Dinner in Brussels begins early, at around 7pm. When extending a dinner invitation, remember that hardly anyone eats after 7.30pm
• Arrive on time for meetings and other appointments, including meals. Lateness is considered very rude
• Belgians hate wasting time looking for parking. When arranging a meeting, make sure the venue has parking facilities
• If you buy chocolates as a gift for someone in Belgium, make sure they are Belgian chocolates!

Chambers of Commerce

American Chamber of Commerce

Address: Rue du Commerce 41 Handelsstraat, 1000 Brussels

Telephone: +32 (0) 2 513 67 70

Website: American Chamber of Commerce

Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce

Address: Rue Washingtonstraat 40, Suite 408-409, 1050 Brussels

Telephone: +32 (0) 2 345 25 54

Website: Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce

Belgian-Italian Chamber of Commerce

Address: Avenue Henri Jaspar 113, 1060 Brussels

Telephone: +32 (0) 2 230 27 30

Website: Belgian-Italian Chamber of Commerce

French Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Address: Avenue des Arts 8, B-1210 Brussels

Telephone: +32 (0) 2 506 88 12

Website: French Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Embassies & Consulates

American Embassy

Address: Regentlaan 27 Boulevard du Régent, B-1000 Brussels

Telephone: +32 (0) 2 508 2111

Website: Embassy of the United States

Chinese Embassy

Address: 463 Ave. de Tervuren, 1150 Woluwe Saint-Pierre

Telephone: +32 (0) 2 771 1497

Website: Chinese Embassy

Czech Republic Embassy

Address: Czech House, 60 Rue du Trône, 1050 Brussels

Telephone: +32 (0) 2 21 39 401

Website: Czech Republic Embassy

French Embassy

Address: 65 rue Ducale, 1000 Brussels

Telephone: +32 (0) 2 548 8711

Website: French Embassy

Italian Embassy

Address: 28 Rue Emile Claus, 1050 Brussels

Telephone: +32 (0) 2 64 33 850

Website: Italian Embassy

Kenyan Embassy

Address: Avenue Winston Churchill 208, 1180 Brussels

Telephone: +32 (0) 2 340 10 40

Website: Kenyan Embassy

Mexican Embassy

Address: Ave. Franklin Roosevelt 94, 1050 Belgium

Telephone: +32 (0) 2 629 07 77

Website: Mexican Embassy

Netherlands Embassy

Address: Avenue Herrmann-Debroux 48, 1160 Brussels

Telephone: +32 (0) 2 679 17 11

Website: Netherlands Embassy

Panamanian Embassy

Address: Blvd. General Jacques 18, 1050 Brussels

Telephone: +32 (0) 2 649 28 79

Russian Embassy

Address: 66 Avenue de Fre, 1180 Brussels

Telephone: +32 (0) 2 374 3400

Website: Russian Embassy

South Korean (Republic of Korea) Embassy

Address: Chausée de la Hulpe 175, 1170 Brussels

Telephone: +32 (0) 2 675 5777

Website: South Korean (Republic of Korea) Embassy

Business Centers

Most major hotels have business facilities. There are also several independent executive centers, including the following:

Diamant Conference and Business Center

Address: Bd. A. Reyerstaan 80, B-1030 Brussels

Telephone: +32 (0) 2 706 88 00

Website: Diamant Conference and Business Center

Brussels Central Station Regus Center

Address: Rue des Colonies 11, 1000 Brussels

Telephone: +32 (0) 2 517 6000

Website: Brussels Central Station Regus Center

Management Centre Europe (MCE)

Address: Rue de l'Aqueduc 118, 1050 Brussels

Telephone: +32 (0) 2 543 2100

Website: Management Centre Europe (MCE)

Conference & Exhibition Centers

Metropole Executive Center

Address: Place de Brouckère 31; B-1000 Brussels

Telephone: +32 (0) 2 217 23 00

Website: Metropole Executive Center

Brussels Expo

Address: Belgiëplein 1, B-1020 Brussels

Telephone: +32 (0) 2 474 8277

Website: Brussels Expo

The International Auditorium

Address: Boulevard du Roi Albert II, No. 5/, B-1210 Brussels

Telephone: +32 (0) 2 224 0254

Website: The International Auditorium

Translation Services

Berlitz

Address: Avenue Louise 306-310, 1050 Brussels

Telephone: +32 (0) 2 513 9274

Website: Berlitz

Courier/Messenger Services

FedEx

Address: Airport Building 119, 1820 Melsbroek

Telephone: +32 (0) 2 752 7575

Website: Fedex

Internet