30 Belgian entrepreneurs make their voices heard in the European Parliament

On 4 November 2025, 30 Belgian entrepreneurs took part in the seventh edition of the European Parliament of Enterprises (EPE), an initiative of Eurochambres, the European federation of chambers of commerce. Held at the European Parliament in Brussels, the event brought together 40 Belgian companies alongside more than 700 business leaders from various European countries. The objective was to clearly convey business priorities to representatives of the European Commission and the European Parliament, and to vote on key issues shaping the future of Europe and its business community.

The importance of European engagement

Companies are increasingly aware that decisions taken at European level have a major impact on their operations. It is therefore crucial to make their voices heard in the right forums. Participants in the EPE sent clear signals about the key challenges currently facing European businesses.

This year, the focus was on the impact of geopolitical developments, barriers within the European internal market, difficult access to raw materials and affordable energy, and the growing shortage of labour. Entrepreneurs stressed the urgent need for measures to strengthen the competitiveness of European business and to improve access to strategic resources and markets.

A direct forum for feedback

The European Parliament of Enterprises is the largest exercise in direct democracy within the EU and clearly demonstrates the importance of business engagement. The initiative offers companies a unique opportunity to make their voices heard in the European policy-making process and helps bridge the gap between Europe and the business community.

“If we want to have a real impact on regulation, we need to make our interests known much earlier in the European decision-making process,”

said Ludwig De Bock of Gadot Belgium, one of the Belgian entrepreneurs who took part in the EPE.

According to Wouter Van Gulck, Managing Director of the Federation of Belgian Chambers of Commerce:

“Too often, companies are only confronted with European legislation when a directive is transposed into national law. At that point, it is already too late to exert influence. It is essential to intervene in time and ensure that the Belgian legislator does not add extra rules that would place Belgian companies at a competitive disadvantage.”

Voting results

Entrepreneurs voted on 16 key issues at the heart of European business activity. Highlights include:

98% believe the EU should adopt a more pragmatic approach when entering into partnerships with third countries.
78% feel that the internal market is insufficiently integrated, preventing companies from operating and competing freely in other member states.
80% support extending the automatic recognition of professional qualifications across the EU to more professions.
65% believe the EU should strengthen industrial competitiveness by stimulating demand for European clean and low-carbon technologies.

A lasting impact

Although the EPE lasts only one day, the impact of the debates and votes extends far beyond the event itself. Voting results and entrepreneurs’ interventions are incorporated by Eurochambres into position papers and continue to make a significant contribution to European policy-making. In this way, Belgian entrepreneurs can continue to influence European decisions that directly affect them.

Listen to the interventions of the Belgian entrepreneurs during the EPE, where they share their views and priorities

Watch the videos and hear the Belgian voices

A diverse Belgian delegation

The Belgian delegation consisted of a broad range of companies — from large international players to smaller regional businesses — active across multiple sectors. The delegation was brought together by the four regional chamber organisations under the leadership of Belgian Chambers: Voka (Vlaanderen), AKT (Wallonië), Beci (Brussel) and AVED-IHK (Oost-België).

30 Belgian entrepreneurs make their voices heard in the European Parliament

The importance of European engagement

A direct forum for feedback

Voting results

A lasting impact

A diverse Belgian delegation

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30 Belgian entrepreneurs make their voices heard in the European Parliament

The importance of European engagement

A direct forum for feedback

Voting results

A lasting impact

A diverse Belgian delegation

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Stay informed

Federation of Belgian Chambers of Commerce

The Federation

Chambers of Commerce

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