Belgian Ambassador in city, throws light on bilateral trade ties with India

Kolkata: The diamond trade between India and Belgium is important along with chemicals, pharmaceuticals and machinery sectors that feature in the trade between the two countries. About 200 Belgian companies have invested in India. Clean technologies, waste management and Smart Cities are of interest to Belgium. About 80 Indian companies operate in Belgium at the moment, said Jan Luykx, Belgian Ambassador.

He was addressing a meeting organised by the Merchants' Chamber of Commerce and Industries on Tuesday afternoon. Luykx emphasised that the Belgian economy is driven by the private sector on the basis of commercial interests and the Embassy/Government does not interfere. The Belgian Embassy encourages Belgians to visit India so that they can decide on investing in India. Civil Aviation is in private hands in Belgium and its Government cannot predict growth in aviation between the two nations. It is up to private sector Belgian companies to be involved with the Smart Cities in India. With respect to Smart Cities and waste management, the Belgian Embassy puts together information and involves actors in their field. With regard to starting more student exchange programmes, the Ambassador said educational institutions need to take an interest and not the Government. There are already several Indian colleges which have agreements with Belgian Universities.

Among positive features of the Belgian economy, Antwerp port is one of the most efficient ports of Europe. Luykx reminded that Belgium is part of a vast common market, thanks to EU. Vishal Jhajharia, Senior Vice-President, MCCI in his welcome address said India is Belgium's second largest export destination and third largest trade partner outside the EU.