A business-friendly investment climate 

“Antwerp’s entrepreneurial spirit is firmly rooted in its historical legacy as a hub for trade and commerce”, says David Gotlib, President of the Antwerp Diamond Bourse, diamond dealer and the creative mind behind a stylistically diverse cufflinks brand. “When my grandfather returned to Antwerp after the atrocities of the Second World War, he was welcomed with open arms and given the opportunity to start his diamond business by the mayor. The generosity of this city towards my family, and how it created our future, is something I still cherish deeply. Antwerp is a vibrant city. The quality of life here is excellent; the unique blend of history, culture, innovation, creativity and connectivity make Antwerp a very pleasant and inspiring place. We are a highly diverse industry, with people from all corners of the world, yet we’re a tight-knit community, where personal, face-to-face relationships are indispensable.”  

“There’s freedom of speech; you can exercise your rights. A place without excessive rules or regulations”, says Kiarash Nabavieh from Iran. Kiarash is co-founder of Flyetic, an easy-to-use, independent private jet booking platform. “From the moment I moved here from Iran, I experienced Antwerp as a dynamic cultural city, with a vibrant expat community. I would definitely recommend Voka – Flanders’ Chamber of Commerce – and the Facebook group ‘Expats in Antwerp’. Antwerp is an open city. It’s a blissful place where you can exercise your faith freely. I really consider it as ‘my city’! A personal tip: respect people’s personal space. Give them room to breathe. Otherwise, you might come across as pushy. My secret to success? Embrace your ambition and go for it.”