Deputy Mayor of Employment and Innovation Sofie Bracke	Senior Deputy Mayor Deputy Mayor of Economy, Youth and Independent Professions Mathias De Clercq

Favorable investment climate

The City of Ghent formulated an ambitious mission statement:

"Ghent, a creative city that plays a leading role in the development of a sustainable, united and open society by actively consolidating all its creative forces"

This means that we are aiming for a creative and open society. We are working hard to create an open city with a favorable investment and business climate where companies can grow, and innovation can thrive. Together we are building a dynamic, renewed and highly diverse local economy.

Therefore we make sure that businesses have enough space, are easily accessible, receive adequate help from the city's services for businesses and traders, are led properly through the process of obtaining permits and receive the right stimulation and support.

Innovation

As city of knowledge and culture, Ghent has the right ingredients to become a region of knowledge and innovation. Situated at the heart of Europe, Ghent is the second biggest city in Flanders. With 60,000 students, Ghent is the biggest city for education in Belgium. Ghent counts 13 world-class research centers. We are also reaping the benefits from the businesses located in the port. Additionally we have enough room for new knowledge enterprises.

What can we do for you?

Via this website, we aim to provide you with all the information needed to proceed with investing in Ghent. If you have actual concrete plans for investing in Ghent please do not hesitate in contacting our account managers from the Economy Service. They remain at your disposal to offer you advice and guide you through the various administrative procedures.

Mathias De Clercq, Deputy Mayor of Economy, Youth, Employment and Independent Professions

Sas van Rouveroij, Senior Deputy Mayor, Deputy Mayor of the Port and Innovation