The Federal Public Service of Belgium is the Federal Department of the Economy, also referred to as the FPS Economy. SMEs, Middle Class, and Energy are all included in it. It was established on February 25, 2002, by Royal Order as a part of the government’s ambitions to modernize the federal government. It is accountable for assisting in the growth, sustainability, and competitiveness of the goods and services market. Additionally, it protects the position of the Belgian economy internationally. It fosters trade through equitable business practices in a cutthroat market, and gathers, processes, and disseminates economic data.
Mission
It offers the controls for an effective, competitive, and sustainable economy and promotes the expansion of the nation’s economic strength. The organization participates in economic policy and helps create a cutting-edge legal framework that takes into account the institutional, European, and global contexts of Belgium’s economic outlook. Consumer and business protection, with a special focus on SMEs, is at the core of this strategy.
Vision
It plans to collaborate with numerous authorities and take into account societal concerns both now and in the future. This is to transition to a greener, digital economy, and geopolitical environment. The establishment aspires to develop into a dynamic, adaptable business that cares for the welfare of its workers and makes effective use of its resources.
Values
The department stands for customer-centered business practices, strict quality standards, and respectful interactions with individuals, organizations, and other stakeholders. It is a group of about 1,800 individuals who are creating the future economy. The five values of the organization were developed by the employees themselves through a collaborative process:
Service
They focus on the needs of their clients when providing their general interest services. They behave in a way that they would want to be treated toward their coworkers, people, businesses, and other parties involved.
Respect
They appreciate one another and the environment despite their differences. They always act honorably and under the federal government’s code of ethics.
Teamwork
They collaborate with the many services and divisions in a friendly environment. The key building blocks for achieving shared objectives are cooperation and trust within the team.
Excellence
They make it a point to complete their work in a trustworthy and competent manner.
Sustainability
They work together with stakeholders to strive for a better living and working environment for current and future generations.
Ethical codes
All federal civil servants, including those of the department, serve the general interest and not their interests. They respect the values and standards of public service.
Trustworthiness of FPS economy agents
Several FPS Economy sections make sure that specific rules are followed. These departments’ checks and investigations may be conducted anywhere in Belgium, including in private residences. These checks are performed by agents who are legitimately authorized.
Emphases and levers
A knowledge center, cooperation and consultation, information, regulation, and monitoring are some of the levers available in the FPS Economy. These are for the design, execution, and evaluation of economic policy. Additionally, the FPS Economy is a friendly, adaptable, and motivating company. The FPS can carry out its objectives and control the market while safeguarding consumers and assisting enterprises. The strategic emphases identify the top priorities for constructing the future economy. The four strategic focuses that are being established for this legislature are digitization, sustainability, security, and competitiveness, as well as a forward-looking vision.
Organization
Currently, the FPS Economy is divided into seven Directorates-General:
- Economic Regulation Directorate-General
- Energy Directorate-General
- Economic Analysis and International Economy Directorate-General
- The SMEs Policy Directorate-General
- The General Directorate for Security and Quality
- The General Directorate of Economic Inspection
- Statistics Belgium also known as the Statistics Directorate-General
