Economic Growth in Belgium

 

Belgium is a country in Western Europe and a member of the European Union. It is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, France to the south, and Luxembourg to the southeast. Belgium has an area of 30,528 square kilometers (11,787 square miles) and its population is 11.3 million. With Brussels being the capital and largest city, the official language of Belgium is Dutch but it also has three other official languages: French, German, and English.

Belgium was first settled by the Celts in around 600 BC before it was conquered by the Romans in 100 BC. In medieval times, Belgium became part of the Holy Roman Empire which was eventually broken up into smaller states during Napoleon's rule in 1814. In 1830 Belgium became independent from the Netherlands and declared itself a kingdom in 1831.  Its territory has grown through a series of international wars, occupations and alliances.

Economy of Belgium

The country has a highly developed economy with extensive trade and investment ties to other European countries, particularly in Western Europe. Belgium’s economy is characterized by an export-oriented agricultural sector, heavy industry, and high-value added services.

Belgium has an open economy with relatively low barriers to trade and foreign direct investment. The Belgian government is committed to a policy of economic liberalization, especially for manufacturing industries.

The Belgian economy is diversified, with no major natural resources or large industrial sectors; it relies on imports of raw materials and semi-finished goods from its trading partners. The key drivers of growth are exports (76% of GDP), private consumption (67%), government spending (25%), capital investments (20%), and net exports (9%). The Belgian economy is heavily service-based and has strong trade links with its neighbouring countries.

By the 1970s, it had transformed into an economic powerhouse with a diversified industrial sector that includes chemicals, high-tech materials and electronics. The service sector has also become more prominent since then.

Economic Benefits to International Students 

International students bring in a lot of money to the Belgian economy through tuition fees, living expenses, and other services. International students can also contribute to the Belgian economy by working on campus or off campus during their studies. They help boost the Belgian tourism industry by staying for an extended period of time after graduation.

On the other hand, International students in Belgium are also eligible for a range of benefits that are designed to help them with their studies and integration into Belgian society. In order to be eligible for the benefits, the students need to have a valid residence permit or visa. There is no minimum length of stay required.

The benefits that international students can claim include:

-A monthly allowance of €400 (€200 if they are living at home with their parents)

-A one-time grant of €500 when they register at an institution

The multicultural environment makes it a great place for international students to learn about other cultures and languages while also being able to practice their native language. Belgium has a diverse economy with plenty of jobs available for international students. There are jobs in technology, finance, and healthcare as well as many others; all of which are available in English or one of the two other languages spoken in the country. 

There are different visa requirements for different types of jobs. The first type of visa is an EU blue card. This type of visa is issued by the Belgian government and allows you to work in any field, at any company, or in any location within Belgium. The second type of visa is a Belgian work permit. It is issued by the Belgian government and it only allows you to work at companies that have a trade agreement with Belgium or companies who have been given permission by the government to hire international employees. The last type of visa is a student visa. It only allows you to study and take internships related to your studies, which means that it cannot be used for jobs outside your field or unrelated to your studies.

International students who are looking for jobs in Belgium can find employment in the following sectors:

• Healthcare - The healthcare sector in Belgium is a booming industry. One of the reasons for this is that the Belgian government has prioritized healthcare and made many reforms. For example, all Belgians have free access to basic healthcare services.
• Education - As the country continues to grow its economy, it's no surprise that jobs for teachers, professors and other education specialists are on the rise.
• Finance - The country offers a wide range of jobs for the finance professional. These jobs include, but are not limited to, accountants, auditors, bankers, consultants and more.

The Belgian government has been encouraging foreign students to come to their country by offering them jobs and internships. The government has also made it easier for these people to get a work permit by reducing the paperwork required. So it is a great time to study and work in Belgium at the same time.