| As far as bankruptcies are concerned, the year 2010 had a bad start. No less than 808 enterprises were declared bankrupt. Not an absolute monthly record, but the worst month of January ever. Compared to January 2009, the number of bankruptcies has increased by 3,46 %.
The above figure is primarily a consequence of the large number of adjudication orders issued by the Brussels Commercial Courts. 206 entreprises have been wound up in the capital, which represents an increase of no less than 75 % compared to January 2009. In Flanders (-6,67 %) as well as in Wallonia (-13,22 %) there was a noteable decrease in the number of bankruptcies.
Although the horeca sector still accounts for the largest number of bankruptcies, the number of businesses closed down has diminished for the first time in years. The building industry also shows a decrease in the number of bankruptcies (-9,38 %).
However, according to bankruptcy statistics the business services sector is experiencing great difficulty : compared to January 2009, an increase of 69,7 % was registered last month. The transportation sector also suffered severely: another 15,63 % of businesses went broke.
Notwithstanding the fact that the first figures of the year are insufficient to come to a final conclusion, the diversified image resulting from them looks promising.
Indeed, we noted that the major part of the judicial districts report a substantial decrease in the number of bankruptcies.
We also find that the results of the sectors that are responding most promptly to cyclical evolutions are noticeably better.
Furthermore, we also note an important decrease in the number of limited companies that went bankrupt.
Finally, the impact of bankruptcies on employment seems to diminish, be it only within the Flemish Region.
These hopeful signs lead one to believe that economy, in spite of the fact that the after-effects of the crisis will still be felt for quite some time, is slowly but surely recovering.
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