Belgium Industry Sectors

By: EconomyWatch Content   Date: 12 March 2010

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Belgium’s industrial sectors are a diversified segment, which can be classified into energy, construction and manufacturing units. Amongst the manufacturing segments, most industries have been in Belgium since the 19th century and thus are the most developed ones in the country.

 

Some of the manufacturing units include:

  • Textiles

  • Leather

  • Shoes

  • Clothing

  • Food, drink

  • Tobacco products

  • Metallurgy

  • Metalworking

  • Machine manufacture

  • Paper; printing

  • Chemicals

 

Other segments, such as the construction and energy, developed late in the 1960s and thus attracted more foreign investments. This ushered in positive economic growth for the pre-existing industries as well.

Belgium Industry Sectors: Diverse and Sparse

Belgian industry is spread around the country and thus the employment density is fairly varied. A majority of jobs are found in the urban areas, in central Flanders and the Northeast. In contrast, the southern region is completely non-industrialized.

 

Antwerp is the most industrialized and is the country’s industrial hub. Antwerp is home to:

  • Chemicals sector

  • Refineries,

  • Petrochemicals

  • Photographic products

  • Pharmaceutical products

 

The following industries are most prominent in the country:

  • Engineering and metal products

  • Motor vehicle assembly

  • Transportation equipment

  • Scientific instruments

  • Processed food and beverages

  • Chemicals

  • Basic metals

  • Textiles

  • Glass

  • Petroleum 

In terms of significance, the steel industry is the most important industry in Belgium.

 

The Belgium industrial sector experienced a growth rate of 2%, which put Belgium in the 51st position globally in 2009. In terms of GDP contribution, Belgium industry sectors contribute a sizable amount.  The energy sector is being held as the next revolution in Belgium industry sectors, and therefore foreign direct investments and other infrastructural changes are being enforced to get the Belgium industrial sector to move ahead with more growth and prosperity.

 

 


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