Eighteen Belgians have been included in Forbes’ annual list of billionaires, with a combined wealth estimated at $55.1 billion, according to a report released today.
Eric Wittouck remains the wealthiest Belgian, with a fortune of $9 billion, placing him 392nd globally. Wittouck’s wealth stems from his holdings in the Tiense Suikerraffinaderij (Tirlemont Sugar Refinery) and through his Luxembourg-based investment firm, Artal Group.
Baron Nicolas D’Ieteren, chairman of the D’Ieteren Group – known as the importer of Volkswagen vehicles in Belgium and owner of the Carglass repair chain – follows with an estimated wealth of $5.5 billion. Fernand Huts, the entrepreneur behind port operator Katoen Natie and industrial waste processor Indaver, completes the top three with $5.1 billion.
This year’s list sees five new Belgian entrants. Roland Duchâtelet, active in the companies Melexis and X-Fab, and textile entrepreneur Filip Balcaen, both have fortunes estimated at $1.5 billion. Charles Beauduin (Vandewiele and Barco), Philippe Van de Vyvere (Sea-Invest), and Bart Van Malderen (Drylock) similarly join the ranks of Belgian billionaires, each with an estimated wealth of $1.2 billion.
Luc Tack, head of Tessenderlo Group, and Jan Van Geet, founder of the real estate group VGP, have also rejoined the list after a period of absence, with fortunes of $1.3 billion and $1.1 billion respectively.
The Forbes list includes a total of sixteen men and two women. The collective wealth represents a significant concentration of capital within Belgium’s economy.
