nov 24 reuters  belgiums business confidence index a bellwether for the wider euro zone economy rose to 42 in november from 40 in october for more information go to the national bank of belgiums web site in english german french and dutch at httpwwwnbbbe the business confidence index is based on central bank surveys of manufacturing construction and retailing and calculated on the basis of the difference between positive and negative answers to questions it is slightly positive at the top of an economic cycle and strongly negative at the depth of a recession