Belgium has become more competitive in recent years and is an excellent site for the headquarters of AB InBev, the CEO of the Belgian-Brazilian holding company, Carlos Brito, said on Thursday at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Speaking after a meeting with Prime Minister Charles Michel, he said the Belgian Government had been “really active” in making Belgium more competitive.
Prime Minister Michel’s government has lowered employer charges and corporate taxes, among other things. “Some things could naturally be better but it’s like that everywhere,” the head of the world’s largest brewery said.
AB InBev is fully satisfied with being in Belgium, Brito added. “Belgium is our home, we are a Belgian company,” he said, stressing that there was no doubt about whether the group’s headquarters would remain in Leuven. “The Prime Minister has taken important measures for a business like ours to be able to have its headquarters here,” he explained.
Turning to the burning issue of Brexit, he noted that AB InBev did not foresee any problems for its UK operations since it buys, produces and sells locally in Britain.
Finally, the Brazilian industrialist was asked about the growing inequality in the world. This inequality “is increasing and that’s a problem,” he admitted, adding that this was why it was important for AB InBev to take care of its staff, suppliers and customers.
The Brussels Times
