Belgium is a competitive country but does not have the strenght to improve the competitiveness. In the report "Competitiveness 2014-2019" Itinera maps out some difficulties for which hardly or no progress is being made.

The nuclear phase-out in our country is not too far away anymore. By 2015, the two oldest nuclear power plants of Doel will be closed after 40 years of use. Will the remaining available production capacity suffice to deal with exceptional peaks – for example in wintertime?

The housing premium mitigates the fiscal pressure on new housing development from 106% to 60% and is an important fiscal stimulus to acquire a house of its own. However, new housing estate is in further decrease, in spite of the housing premium.

Belgium ranks second in comparisons of total fiscal burden (as % of GDP).

According Johan Albrecht the Belgian companies need to scale up to high-tech products to best take advantage of the growth opportunities of the global economy.

Belgium has rather low environmental taxes. A radical fiscal greening could yield between € 3 and 5 billion per year, which allows a reduction of personal income taxes by 7 up to 11%.

Belgium has high consumer prices and high taxes. This problematic combination endangers the purchasing power of households and the competitiveness of our companies. Instead of structural measures the government temporarily installed maximum prices.

The too early and expensive support policy of solar panels results in a higher electricity bill for the consumer. This policy was not necessary because especially the evolution of renewable energy production in the long run is important.

Because of the high fuel costs and with low electricity prices, efficient natural gas plants are driven out of the market by old coal plants. Investing in new gas plants is economically no longer feasible.