Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt called Wednesday for increased Japanese investment in Belgium, saying his country has steadily carried out economic reforms, including corporate tax cuts.
Verhofstadt, who is on a three-day visit to Japan through Thursday, said Belgium lowered corporate taxes to an average 34 percent from 40.7 percent beginning Jan. 1, with a lower rate of between 24 percent and 25 percent for small and midsize companies -- lower than most other European Union member states.
"Major economic reforms in Belgium in the last three years make it even more attractive for foreign investors, especially Japan," Verhofstadt told a meeting of about 30 corporate executives, including Yoshihide Munekuni, chairman of Honda Motor Co.