Kris Peeters convenes meeting of the Crisis Group
The Federal Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Work and the Economy Kris Peeters (Flemish Christian democrat) has called an emergency meeting of the Crisis Group to discuss the consequences of the UK Brexit vote for Belgium. Earlier this week, Mr Peeters set up a special crisis team that would advised the Federal Government on how to approach a decision by the people of the UK to leave the European Union.
The group is headed by the businessman Count Paul Buysse. Other members include the Governor of the National Bank of Belgium Jan Smets, the Chairman of BNP Paribas Fortis Herman Daems and the CEO of the Port of Zeebrugge Joachim Coens.
Studies have revealed that the Belgian economy will suffer as a result of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union. The Belgian economy is predicted to lose 2.1 billion euro (0.5% of GDP) as a result of the Brexit. 12,000 jobs are believed to be at risk.
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