The mail order multinational Amazon plans to invest 1 billion euros in Belgium between now and 2027. The company’s Country Manager for Belgium and the Netherlands Eva Faict says that Amazon will use the investment to “improve customer experience”.
Part of the investment will be in infrastructure, while extra staff will be recruited for Amazon’s Mechatronics Department in the East Flemish municipality of Hamme. How many new jobs will be created has not yet been disclosed. Amazon currently employs 400 people in Belgium. The company announced its plans during the Belgian economic mission to California.
Meanwhile, Amazon also intends to start same-day parcel deliveries in Belgium. This service could possibly be launched within the next few months. Some of the planned investment will also be used to provide better support for small and medium-sized businesses that sell their products through Amazon.
Ms Faict also confirmed that Amazon intends to continue its partnership with the Belgian post office bpost. “They are our most important partner now and will remain so. However, same-day delivery requires investment in our logistics chain. Amazon Logistics will do this on its own. We are going to diversify."
Flywheel effect
The Flemish Prime Minister Matthias Diependaele (nationalist) has welcomed the news. “Amazon's decision to invest here is direct recognition of our innovative strength”.
"Their investment specifically focuses on robotics and mechatronics, precisely the clusters that we, as the Flemish government, are already fully committed to. This creates a flywheel effect for our entire technology industry”.
Mr Diependaele is also pleased that Amazon is committed to encouraging and supporting small and medium-sized businesses in Flanders that wish to sell their products via its platform. Currently, Flemish companies generate an average of around 28% of their turnover through e-commerce.
The Federal Minister responsible for small and medium-sized businesses Eléonore Simonet (Francophone liberal) is also enthusiastic about what she sees as an opportunity for local businesses to strengthen their presence in the market and reach new customers elsewhere in Europe and beyond.