Terrorist attacks cost Brussels businesses €122m in trade

Brussels retail and food service businesses lost €122.5 million in trade as a result of the terrorist attacks in March, according to calculations by the federal economy ministry. Businesses in Flanders saw their takings drop by €33 million and in Wallonia the figure was about €20 million. The figures come from a detailed study carried out at the request of consumer affairs minister Kris Peeters.

Brussels retailers came to the government for help after they saw a downturn in business even before the attacks at Brussels Airport and on the metro in March. The lockdown after the attacks in Paris in November last year had an initial effect, but the attacks here had a greater impact, with business representatives warning of bankruptcies and job losses for small retailers in the city and in sectors related to tourism and business travel.

Peeters, as minister for consumer affairs and employment, asked the government services to put a figure on the economic damage, and the total bill for the country comes to almost €180 million. The sectors hardest hit were hotels, with reservations down 25% compared to a year before, and restaurants and cafes, with business down by 11.3% and 18.5% respectively. Other businesses affected include taxis, clothing, shoes, butchers and cinemas.

Photo: Tomas Kubes/Visit Flanders