During his visit in Coimbatore, Belgian Ambassador Didier Vanderhasselt opened the Colruyt Group IT GCC and discussed Belgium-India trade, noting a significant engagement in diamond trade and overall strong bilateral relations.
Coimbatore: Didier Vanderhasselt, the Ambassador of Belgium to India, emphasized the longstanding and robust trade relations between Belgium and India during his visit to Coimbatore. Speaking at the inauguration of the Colruyt Group IT Global Capability Centre (GCC) office, Vanderhasselt shared insights on the trade dynamics between the two nations.
"Historically, seventy percent of Belgium's trade with India was in diamonds. While the trade composition has diversified over time, the relationship has grown stronger," Vanderhasselt noted. He proudly recalled Belgium's early recognition of India post-Independence, reflecting a longstanding partnership.
"In terms of economic engagement, our bilateral trade with India reached 15 billion euros in 2022. Although there was a slight decline in 2023, Belgium remains one of the largest European Union trade partners of India, second only to Germany," he explained.
Discussing investment, Vanderhasselt highlighted Belgium's position as the 15th largest investor in India. In the services sector, though trade numbers are smaller, exports from Belgium to India stood at half a billion euros, and from India to Belgium at 750 million euros last year.
Vanderhasselt’s visit underscores the deep economic ties and continued partnership between Belgium and India, facilitated by both trade and investment.
"Historically, seventy percent of Belgium's trade with India was in diamonds. While the trade composition has diversified over time, the relationship has grown stronger," Vanderhasselt noted. He proudly recalled Belgium's early recognition of India post-Independence, reflecting a longstanding partnership.
"In terms of economic engagement, our bilateral trade with India reached 15 billion euros in 2022. Although there was a slight decline in 2023, Belgium remains one of the largest European Union trade partners of India, second only to Germany," he explained.
Discussing investment, Vanderhasselt highlighted Belgium's position as the 15th largest investor in India. In the services sector, though trade numbers are smaller, exports from Belgium to India stood at half a billion euros, and from India to Belgium at 750 million euros last year.
Vanderhasselt’s visit underscores the deep economic ties and continued partnership between Belgium and India, facilitated by both trade and investment.