Accounts receivable: how can Belgian companies protect their cash flow?
Sales only become cash once invoices are paid. Strong receivables management supports growth; weak control increases funding needs and non-payment risk.
News, Economy and insights
Risk Dashboard
Explore Coface's Risk Dashboard, providing in-depth risk assessments for 160 countries and 13 industry sectors for you to make strategic decisions
Expert advice
To celebrate ICISA’s centenary, Coface presents its perspective on the future of credit insurance in the era of artificial intelligence
During ICISA’s landmark 100th Annual General Meeting in Vienna, Deepesh Patel, Editor of Trade Treasury Payments (TTP), sat down with Xavier Durand, Group CEO of Coface, to explore how the industry can respond to today’s evolving challenges. Read the highlights of the interview and watch the accompanying video below.
Debt Recovery in Europe: 5 Best Practices to Improve Recovery Rates Across Countries
Europe's single market and close economic ties can make cross-border trade seem straightforward. However, recovering unpaid invoices is often far more complex than expected. More than 70 percent of businesses face late payments, and debt collection practices can vary significantly between countries. What works in London may not work in Milan, Madrid, Brussels, Zurich or Warsaw. Legal processes, payment behaviour and administrative requirements differ from one market to another. To help businesses improve recovery outcomes, Coface's experts share practical advice on avoiding common mistakes, adapting to local conditions and maximizing the chances of successful debt recovery across Europe.
Belgian CFOs Face Rising Credit Risk as Geopolitical Pressures Intensify
Geopolitical uncertainty is reshaping how Belgian companies assess credit risk. Coface’s latest CFO Report reveals how finance leaders are adapting to a business environment marked by supply chain disruptions, weaker demand and growing pressure on cash flow.
3 Keys to Faster Decision-Making and Business Growth
Geopolitical tensions, slowing economic growth, supply chain disruptions and increasing regulatory risks: businesses today operate in a world where uncertainty has become the norm. The question is no longer how to eliminate risk completely, as that is neither realistic nor desirable, but how to make the best possible decisions in a constantly changing environment.
Risk Dashboard
Navigate uncertainty with Coface's global risk assessments for +160 countries and 13 sectors.
DSO: A Key Indicator for Managing Your Collection Periods
DSO (Days Sales Outstanding), also referred to in French as délai moyen de paiement (DMP) or number of days of customer credit, is an essential indicator in financial management. A company’s financial strength largely depends on its ability to collect invoices within controlled timeframes, before facing cash outflows that could weaken its position. DSO therefore represents a continuous optimization lever to improve cash flow and reduce the risk of unpaid invoices.
Coface Country Risk Conference Belux 2026: understand the world to better guide your decisions
In an international context marked by increasing fragmentation, growing pressure on companies, and rapid technological change, risk management has become an essential strategic lever for decision-makers.
Coface Survey: Why Fast Decision-Making Is Critical for Business Growth in Uncertain Times
The primary obstacle to business growth is no longer just market conditions, but companies’ ability to make timely, strategic decisions. According to the latest Coface survey of 1,250 business leaders across 13 countries, 68% identify slow decision-making as a major barrier to growth. In today’s volatile and uncertain economic environment, businesses must go beyond risk avoidance and focus on accelerating decision-making processes. A fundamental transformation is underway, positioning risk as a key driver of smarter decisions and sustainable growth.
Export with confidence: how to reduce customer uncertainty internationally?
Exporting is no longer just an option: for many small and medium-sized businesses, it has become a key driver for unlocking new growth opportunities. Sometimes faced with a declining domestic market, more and more companies are looking beyond their borders. However, in a context marked by geopolitical tensions, a volatile economy, and strained global trade, expanding export sales also brings greater uncertainty: foreign customers that are difficult to assess, longer payment terms, and the risk of unpaid invoices.
From insights to cash flow: detect sooner, decide faster, and optimize collections with Urba360 and My DSO Manager
As insolvencies increase and payment delays intensify, accounts receivable management can no longer rely on hindsight. By leveraging high-quality risk data alongside agile operational processes, businesses can transform early warning signals into quick, informed decisions that accelerate cash flow.
Incoterms: pillars of international trade
Companies involved in international trade all rely on Incoterms to agree on the responsibilities of the seller and buyer in their commercial transactions. Although buyers and sellers are free to negotiate and set contractual terms, customs and understandings may differ from country to country. Incoterms help to avoid misunderstandings by defining a common, international set of commercial rules.
European Agri‑Food Outlook 2026
The agri‑food industry is navigating a period marked by global market volatility, regulatory changes, and evolving consumer behaviours. At Coface, our role is to analyse these dynamics and help companies make informed strategic decisions. As a member of Wagralim, Coface shares in this article a clear and accessible overview of the trends that will shape agri‑food markets in Europe and Belgium in 2026.
The Hidden Risk in Transport and Logistics — and the Real Price of Missing It
In transport and logistics, the most damaging risks aren’t the ones that arrive loudly or suddenly. They develop gradually — a late payment here, a subcontractor renegotiating terms there, a shipping route that becomes less reliable over time. Individually, these signals seem minor. But when fuel surcharges are disputed, rates shift unexpectedly, or customs delays stack up, these “small” issues can quickly put pressure on working capital. The challenge isn’t that teams fail to notice these signs. It’s that each team only sees part of the story. The result: slower credit approvals, delays in onboarding suppliers, inconsistent compliance checks and less time to react before margins take a hit.
Protect your business from compliance risks
Before engaging a new customer or supplier, most companies review their financial stability. But do you also verify whether these partners are connected to sanctioned individuals or high‑risk entities? A single risky business relationship can lead to cash‑flow issues, regulatory penalties, or lasting reputational damage.
End-of-year Cash Sprint: 3 winning strategies to speed up your cash inflows and optimise your cash flow
The final sprint to the end of the financial year is coming up fast, and every day counts when it comes to speeding up your cash inflows. With Coface's expert advice and insights from our clients, learn how to target bad debts, master your aging balance, mobilise your teams and leverage digital debt collection solutions to boost your performance and secure your cash flow before December 31.
A new way to manage risk: the era of smart dashboards
With the rise of next-generation dashboards and connectivity solutions, commercial risk management is experiencing a paradigm shift: more intuitive, more responsive and more collaborative. From reporting to governance, discover how to harness the power of dashboards to steer your business with agility, performance and anticipation.
Amicable Debt Collection: The Smart Strategy to Protect Client Relationships
Often seen as a purely financial move or a source of conflict, amicable debt collection is actually a critical tool for maintaining strong business relationships. The key lies in adopting a human, tailored approach that respects the context of each partner. Here’s expert guidance, real-world examples, and practical tips to recover unpaid invoices without damaging trust.
Trade credit insurance: 6 strategies to secure your growth
Slowing global growth, shifts in international trade, digitisation and automation of trade receivables, (geo)political instability: trade credit management is becoming increasingly complex, with the risk of affecting your company's cash flow and disrupting the development of your business. Here's how to make trade credit insurance your best weapon for avoiding bad debts and conquering new markets in this new commercial ecosystem.
5 tips to anticipate risks and successfully run your business with Data & AI
AI and data are powerful tools for improving business management, but their adoption remains a huge challenge for executives. Security, ROI, technological integration and digitalisation: our Risk & Smart Data experts help you transform your data into genuine growth drivers and decision-making solutions. Find out all the keys to managing your risks and stay ahead.
VSEs-SMEs: 10 tips to regain control of your accounts receivable
Late payments, cash flow issues, and insolvencies: VSEs-SMEs are more exposed and vulnerable to the risk of unpaid invoices and are therefore on the front line when difficulties arise. When order books are shrinking, payment terms are getting longer and cash flow is precarious, it's urgent to regain control of your accounts receivable. Here is our guidance on how to secure your cash flow and strengthen your company's resilience.
Debt collection around the world: how to deal with local specificities
Collecting debts domestically is already tedious enough, but collecting debts abroad quickly turns into an obstacle course. Different business cultures, specific negotiation levers, lengthy and complex procedures, local legal specificities: the challenges are unique and the barriers are many! Our experts help you successfully collect your debts, regardless of where your debtor is located.
The stabilizing power of Trade Credit in emerging markets (podcast)
In the latest episode of Trade Talk, we delve into the critical role of trade credit in stabilizing emerging economies amidst monetary shocks from the US Federal Reserve. Join Mélina London, economist and researcher, on how inter-company credit can be a buffer against financial instability.
VSEs and SMEs: why debt collection is vital for your business
Debt collection is a tricky and often overslept task for companies of all sizes, but it is crucial for VSEs and SMEs. More exposed to risk, they are also much more impacted by non-payment and often do not have sufficient cash or human resources to absorb financial shocks as easily as large organisations.
Structuring data to unlock business agility: Coface's expertise
Data Lake, Data Mesh, Data Warehouse, Datamart... Behind these technical concepts lies a major strategic challenge: transforming data into a performance driver. In the Place aux experts video podcast, Samia Boujatioui, the Group Head of Data Management, explains how well-governed data can create value for our clients and our business teams. Here are some extracts.
24 articles out of 64
Risk Dashboard
Navigate uncertainty with Coface's global risk assessments for +160 countries and 13 sectors.
Coface Podcast
Dive into the world of global trade with Coface's Trade Talk podcast. Explore captivating discussions with trade experts, explore market dynamics and uncover strategies for growth.
Online services for customers and brokers
- Customer Portal - Cofanet
Customer Portal - CofaNet
Coface online platform for managing your trade receivables. Full monitoring of your risks. Direct access to all tools according to your contracts.
- Broker Portal
Broker Portal
Platform dedicated to brokers for monitoring your business and managing your customer portfolio (in all countries where legally available).
- Coface Business Information
Business Information
Access the business insights you need to manage credit risks across your entire business-partner portfolio and make strategic decisions with confidence.
Innovative and digital solutions
- API Portal
API Portal
Stop juggling between software applications. Explore Coface API Catalogue and Integrated Solutions for Icon by Coface and trade credit insurance.