Presentation of the FEB (continuation)

The Federation of Enterprises in Belgium is the country's only multisector employers' organization representing small, medium-sized and large companies. FEB is active in all areas of interest to business, focusing in particular on economic, social, fiscal and legal questions as well as European and international issues.

 Promoting and defending the interests of the business community  

FEB, Belgium's leading employers' organization, strives to achieve the best possible business climate and promotes the interests of the business community at federal, European and international level. FEB also plays an important part in the two-yearly negotiations with the trade unions on a social agreement for the entire private sector in Belgium. These so-called inter-professional negotiations are conducted by the leaders of the federal employers’ organizations and the trade unions within the ‘Group of 10’, presided over by the President of FEB. For more information, see the attached presentation of the Group of 10.

To a great extent, FEB is able to operate effectively thanks to its member federations' local knowledge, their experience and the consensus existing among them. It is active in all sectors of business and is supported by an intensive communication strategy.

 Activities covering all issues of interest to industry  

The primary task of FEB's departments is to research and examine draft legislation, policy papers and other documents on economic, social and legal issues affecting business. FEB takes a functional approach, implementing proactive initiatives and concrete proposals, establishing
numerous contacts with the authorities and engaging in intense communication in an attempt to encourage a more pro-business policy.

The issues tackled are increasingly multidisciplinary. This growing complexity is reflected in FEB's working methods, and the various departments and their experts are increasingly consulting each other on a wide array of subjects.

Active nationally ... FEB presents and defends the interests of business not only in their dealings with public authorities 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. As part of this work, the federal employers' organisation 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, National Labour Council, Consumer Council, the Belgian Export Credit Agency and the Federal Council for Sustainable Development.

... active at European level ... Given the growing impact of European legislation on daily business activities, FEB actively promotes its members' interests in the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council of Ministers. FEB is the Belgian representative (founding member) in European employer's organisation BUSINESSEUROPE, 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.

... active 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 launched by the World Trade Organisation (WTO).  The employers' organisation also endeavours to improve relations between the Belgian economic world and international organisations. FEB sits on the Business and Advisory Committee of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the International Labour Office (ILO). It is actively involved in the activities of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), of which ICC Belgium is a member.