globalEDGE Blog - By Tag: belgium

Semiconductors are a massive piece of the puzzle of different types of electronics and vehicles in the automotive industry. The automotive industry is becoming more software and electronic-based, making semiconductors extremely important. North Carolina was hit heavily by Hurricane Helene, causing landslides, historic flooding, and damage throughout the state. A small town named Spruce Pine has mines that produce the world’s purest quartz, a key component in producing global semiconductors. The Spruce Pine mine is the most crucial for the semiconductor manufacturing industry, the solar panel industry, and all the industries that use these components in their products. 

When the country of Belgium is discussed, many often think of its waffles, or chocolate. However, Belgium is an important player on the global business field and is home to many prominent corporations. Unfortunately, Belgium can’t seem to escape conflict.

The credit crisis that has been a major issue in the United States lately has spread fear through European governments as they saw the need to step in with a flurry of major bank bailouts in different countries from Iceland to Germany. The governments of Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands have been taking partial control of some of their national banks. Furthermore, the government of Iceland seized control of Glitnir bank – the third largest in the country. However, these rapid bailouts are not making banks in Europe feel more secure as they keep on refusing to lend to each other money for all but the shortest periods of time. Meanwhile, shares are falling heavily and the money markets remain frozen.