Meeting Etiquette While Doing Business in Belgium

If you intend to do business in a foreign country you should be informed about the basic business and cultural rules, which may be different from those that exist in your country. In this article you will find the general rules regarding the business etiquette in Belgium. 

Punctuality
When doing business in Belgium it is advisable to arrive on time. Punctuality is important, but if you really cannot avoid arriving late, it would be good to prevent your partners.
Regarding social events, you can arrive 5-10 minutes after the time indicated on the invitation.

Business meetings
When you plan a meeting with a Belgian partner you should make an appointment several days in advance. Also, if you plan to present a specific product or discuss a business proposition, it is necessary to offer some background details in advance.
Meeting tips:
- The best time for a business meeting in Belgium is around 10 am.
- You can tart by shaking hands and greetings.
- You can start the business meeting with an informal conversation, but it should be short.
- Bring enough business cards and materials about your company.
- Provide the participants with background material to at the beginning of the meeting.

Communicating with Belgians
- Don't forget about the linguistic distinctions: use the language of the region or English for business.
- Start the meting with a small talk if you are dealing with francophone Walloons, and go immediately to the concerns is your partners are Flemish.
- Use titles or honorifics plus last name when addressing both Flemish and Walloons.
- Belgians are reserved about their private life and respect privacy.

Actions to avoid:
- addressing people by their first name
- talking with your hands in your pockets
- making excessive gestures
- pointing with the index finger
- chewing gum
- asking personal questions

Discussion topics to avoid:
- political topics
- community issues
- religion
- minorities

India Establishes Trade Relations with LAC

Latin America is at present an opportune land for international trade and investments, due to some positive factors such as the reduction of tariff barriers, the modernization of infrastructure and the liberalization of the financial market. Regional trade agreements (Mercosur, ANDEAN, CARICOM) also play an important role in encouraging trade. As a result of these favorable conditions, many world economies are now looking to establish trade relations with Latin America countries.

Negotiations are held with Latin America countries in order to promote trade with world's major economies and emerging markets. India is one of the world economies, working to reduce trade barriers and establish collaboration with LAC. The country is looking to open up new markets by improving trade relations with the Latin America countries.

It should be mentioned that India's economic presence is now quite visible in the region, and its interests are diverse. Thus, since 2000, Indian companies have invested about $12 billion in the LAC. Investments were mainly made in economic sectors such as IT, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, mining, energy, and manufacturing. India’s trade with the region includes all various kinds of products, from soybeans to aircraft and minerals. Some of the leading Indian firms dealing in the region are the IT firm Tata Consultancy Services,  ONGC Videsh, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Shree Renuka Sugars and others.

At present, there are 14 Indian companies in Argentina: mainly IT firms and companies related to manufacturing, such as pharma, cosmetics and agrochemicals. Venezuela, Uruguay and Bolivia also increased trade with India. India and LAC have also come closer in terms of investments.
In conclusion, India’s increasing interest in building trade relations with the Latin America countries has helped bilateral trade to grow.

Source:

http://www.americasquarterly.org/india-latin-america 

The Most Competitive Economy on the Planet

According to the World Economic Forum's (WEF) report for 2016-2017, Switzerland has been appreciated as the most competitive economy on the planet. The country gains this position for the 8th year in a row.

In the WEF latest Global Competitiveness report, Switzerland obtained its highest score of 5.8 out of 7. The country attained the highest marks in 4 of the 11 criteria:

   - labour market efficiency
   - business sophistication
   - innovation and
   - technological readiness.

It is stated in the report that “Switzerland arguably possesses one of the world’s most fertile innovation ecosystems,” and that Swiss companies have “an unmatched capacity to attract the best talent and large multinationals”.  

However,  Switzerland has weaknesses as well: deepening deflation, low levels of women participating in the workforce and the amount of red tape holding back the creation of new companies. In addition, Thierry Geiger, one of the report’s authors, claims that “If Switzerland adopts strict immigration quotas then this could be very bad for its competitiveness”.

There are definitely things to revise, but for the moment, Switzerland continues to attract high scores in economic competitiveness. It should be mentioned that earlier this year, the country climbed two places to 2nd in the IMD business school’s annual survey.


Source:
http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/wef-report_switzerland-is-the-world-s-most-competitive-economy-/42478248