It may have taken decades, but Brussels’ law firms are finally realising there are other reasons to be in the European Union (EU) capital than just for competition work.
Figures from Mergermarket show that for the 12-month period from 1 November, 2004, to 31 October, 2005, Belgium was placed sixth in the M&A league table of European countries. M&A deals involving Belgian targets totalled €35.5bn (£23.9bn), illustrating that the country, with a population of just 10 million – equivalent to Hungary or Portugal – is punching above its weight in the corporate arena.
