At a time when the Brussels-Capital Region is facing major budgetary challenges, BECI is calling on future political decision-makers to take action. To address these issues, the Brussels Chamber of Commerce and the Union of Enterprises in Brussels are organising electoral debates between 13 political parties.
Now, more than ever, is the time to get involved. In the run-up to the elections, BECI is concerned about the budgetary issues that threaten the Brussels-Capital Region. With debt threatening to rise to 19 billion euros, BECI is sounding the alarm. ‘We are living way beyond our means. In the space of five years, our debt has more than doubled’, worries Jan De Brabanter, CEO a.i.
With a vision of countering the challenges facing the Region, BECI is calling on Brussels' future political representatives: ’We need to take better governance into account. Over four evenings, 13 parties are invited to debate the vital issues of entrepreneurship and the future of Brussels.
Employment, residence and entrepreneurship
Given the worrying economic situation, BECI has drawn up a memorandum based on the needs and aspirations of Brussels businesses. ‘It's a simple expression of the concerns of entrepreneurs and sector federations’, continues the Secretary General of the Union of Enterprises in Brussels. With this in mind, BECI is highlighting the major concerns of Brussels businesses in its memorandum.
It therefore asks future elected representatives to strengthen three interdependent priorities. Firstly, it encourages employment for all, and is aiming for an employment rate of 80% of the working population by 2030. Secondly, BECI emphasises the importance of developing the attractiveness of Brussels and improving housing and mobility in the capital. Finally, it wants to promote a model region in terms of management and innovation.
‘BECI simply reflects the concerns of entrepreneurs and sectors’
BECI also highlights the Region's potential: ‘Brussels is a place of culture and entrepreneurship, bursting with talent and initiative. It has a lot of potential to become an exemplary and attractive city-region, both locally and internationally’. BECI, as the voice of Brussels businesses, is therefore urging political representatives to focus on the crucial issues linked to entrepreneurship and the future of Brussels.
4 evenings, 4 debates & 13 parties
From March to April, BECI is kicking off four evenings of electoral debates. With the elections just around the corner, this is an opportunity for the Brussels parties to share their views on the issues.
Through these discussions on crucial issues, BECI aims to promote constructive dialogue between political and economic players, in order to ensure a prosperous future for the Brussels Region. The debates are also open to the public by registration only via the BECI agenda.
➤ On the programme, 13 representatives of political parties will be speaking on the following days:
- 20 March: Barbara Trachte (Ecolo) - David Leisterh (MR) - Jan Busselen (PVDA)
- 25 March: Christophe De Beukelaer (Les Engagés) - Cieltje Van Achter (N-VA) - Sven Gatz (Open VLD)
- 16 April: Bernard Clerfayt (Défi) - Elke Van den Brandt (Groen) - Karine Lalieux (PS) - Ava Basiri (Voor U)
- 24 April: Benjamin Dalle (CD&V) - Françoise De Smedt (PTB) - Pascal Smet (Vooruit)
➤ So why not come and join in the debates on a renewed Brussels! Register now for the dates of your choice (or all of them):
– 20/03 : ELECTORAL DEBATES AT BECI: ECOLO – MR – PVDA
– 25/03 : ELECTORAL DEBATES AT BECI: Les Engagés – N-VA – Open VLD
– 16/04 : ELECTORAL DEBATES AT BECI: Défi – Groen – PS – Voor U
– 24/04 : ELECTORAL DEBATES AT BECI: CD&V – PTB – Vooruit
➤ To find out more about BECI's priorities and proposals, consult the official memorandum.
About the author
Era Balaj, Journalist at BECI