Flemish exports reached a thriving 300.6 billion euros in 2015, which amounted to an increase of 2.16% on the previous year. This is indeed a record. So it emerges from figures revealed on Monday by Flanders Investment and Trade (FIT) during a Flemish trade mission to India.
Imports remained stable at 288.8 billion euros.
By region, Flemish exports intended for European Union member states increased by an average of 3.2%, with striking export increases to Italy and Sweden of 19.2% and 13.2% respectively.
Exports headed for the United States and Central America also increased in the period by 7.5% and 15,8% respectively.
On the other hand imports to the so-called BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) markedly decreased, with a stark decline of 9.5% for India, 9.2% for China, 20.5% for Brazil and an even greater 25.2% for Russia.
The chemical and pharmaceutical industry remain the two main Flemish export sectors, whereas the region's diamond industry exports actually declined by 8.4% during the year.
(Source: Belga)
