The Hindu Business Line : Belgium keen to strengthen bilateral ties in ports, power, IT

Belgium's Crown Prince Philippe flanked by the Minister for Commerce and Industry, Mr Kamal Nath (left), and Mr Y. C. Deveshwar, President-Designate, CII, at a session on `India-Belgium: Building strong partnerships' in the Capital on Monday. — Ramesh Sharma

New Delhi , March 14

BELGIUM has said it is keen to expand the trade basket and look at newer areas that include port services, logistics, environmental technology, power generation.

Stating that diamond was the main trading activity between the two countries, the visiting Crown Prince of Belgium, Prince Philippe, acknowledged the contribution made by the Indian community in Belgium and Antwerp in particular. "So we count on them also to help us strengthen out ties with India, as we explore new avenues of cooperation," he said.

He added that it was now time to look at newer areas such as port services, logistics, environmental technology, power generation, engineering, the chemical sector and information technology, to name a few, informed a statement.

He added, "India is a key partner for us, both bilaterally and as a power in the region." He was addressing industry leaders at a meeting organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), here on Monday.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Mr Kamal Nath, said that India greatly supported and welcomed certain specifications for the benefit of the least developed countries. However, he expressed his concern on "an attempt to try and segregate and diversify countries into large developing countries and smaller developing countries."

Voicing concern at the increasing difficulty in accessing the EU market, Mr Kamal Nath said, "while the Indian economy has liberalised and markets opened up offering new vistas to the global trade and industry, reciprocal benefits have not flowed from the developed world."

The mounting stringency of standards, their non-harmonisation, cumbersome and complex rules, according to the Minister, are being perceived as serious barriers to enhanced economic cooperation. On the occasion, five MoUs were signed to take forward and cement the existing ties between India and Belgium.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page