2. Acknowledgements and Disclaimer
Belgium in Focus is a special publication of the Embassy of Belgium in India. The views
expressed in the magazine are those of the contributors -whom we hereby wish to thank for
their participation- and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Embassy of Belgium or the
Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The magazine was produced with the financial support of
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of the Kingdom of Belgium, and is not for sale. It
should be used for private circulation only.

3. Courtesy of Belgian Tourist Office NYC/USA
Photo: Made in Belgium
Contents Ambassador’s Desk 4
Belgium- the gateway to Europe 5
Belgium and India: A history of close ties 7
Interview with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Karel De Gucht 11
Business Interview with Chairman (BICC&I), Mr. Philippe Vlerick and
President (FEB), Mr. Thomas Leysen 14
Insight into Belgium as leading investment destination 16
Belgium and India to work together on port
development projects 18
Interview with CEO, Rosy Blue, Mr. Dilip Mehta 20
Belgium and India, two complementary
and growing biopharma clusters 22
Janssen Pharmaceutica to help facelift Indian heritage 24
Belgium- A quality education destination for Indian students 27
Leuven- A hub for Indian students in Belgium 28
Jazz legends of Belgium 29
Belgium’s popular museum of musical instruments 30
A peek into largest museum of photography in Europe 31
Come and visit Belgium 32
Belgian beer, a rich legacy 34
Useful business contact information 35
Cover Pic:
Atomium, a monument built for Expo ‘58, the
1958 Brussels World’s Fair. Designed by André
Waterkeyn, it is 102-metres (335 ft) tall, with nine
steel spheres connected so that the whole forms
the shape of a unit cell of an iron crystal magnified
165 billion times. Photo courtesy - fatboyke

4. Ambassador’s Desk
Photo: Embassy of Belgium
H.E. Mr. Jean M. Deboutte
Ambassador of Belgium to India
Dear Reader,
It’s a great pleasure to launch this new magazine on Belgium and on the steadily enlarging and
intensifying relations between Belgium and India.
We witness daily contacts and interests of Indian students and tourists, business people and artists,
scientists and decision makers. Many of them are pleasantly surprised discovering a small and highly
diversified country in the heart of Europe. This magazine will show them some aspects of Belgium
they are familiar with but also some lesser known facets.
The open mindedness of the Indian people fuels their eagerness to know more about the outside
world. They will find in this magazine a wide range of topics offering them a first taste of what
Belgium is like. I am convinced that this will wet their appetite for more.
Especially in today’s difficult economic and social environment, it is necessary not to react in an inward
looking way but to broaden the horizons and to work together in finding answers to our common
challenges. This magazine intends to offer some practical ideas on new ways of co-operation.
The importance, weight and relevance of India, in all aspects of life and development of the global
society are recognised by all. Obviously, India is on a path to even increase its present stature. It
is a privilege for Belgium to work closely together with this new Power.
While not aiming at offering a complete picture, this magazine will show some of the most promising
fields of co-operation. I sincerely hope this will encourage you, dear reader, to get into contact with
the representatives of Belgium in India.
We are here to co-operate with you.
Thank you very much for your interest and for your valuable time.
Belgium in Focus

5. Belgium |
Belgium, the Gateway to Europe
Belgium is a small, highly developed and densely populated
country at the cross-roads of Europe
them better. They put a high
value on privacy and have
a clear aversion towards
moralizing, towards
telling other people how
they should or should not
behave, and they take “live
and let live” as the basis for
their philosophy.
Courtesy of Belgian Tourist Office NYC/USA
Most Productive
Workers
Belgian workers are the
most productive in the
world. This productivity
is due to a generally high
Royal Palace of Belgium level of education resulting
in highly skilled labour,
Belgium is one of the founding and trade, which is facilitated extended automatisation, shift work
members of the European by Belgium’s central position in that minimizes idle time, and low
Community, and its capital, Western Europe, and the presence absenteeism. Although employees
Brussels, also plays host to of many land and waterways. have relatively much vacation and
the majority of European Nowadays, Belgium may be one free time, and can easily take time off
institutions, NATO and many of the smallest countries in Europe, for illness without risking to lose their
other international organizations but its economic impact greatly jobs, few working days are actually
and lobbies of all kinds. exceeds its size. For instance lost. This is also due to the excellent
Belgium has, since the Middle the country is one of the leading system of low cost medicine and the
Ages, always been one of the countries in exports per capita in tradition of solving industrial conflicts
richest and most developed the world. by negotiations.
regions in the world. Just look at
the historic churches, town halls, Quality of Life Thanks to the open market, the good
and pieces of art, in cities such What all Belgians have in common distribution channels and the strong
as Brussels, Ghent, Bruges, Liege is a love for the “good life”, which consumer requirements, one can find
and Antwerp to get an idea of the they find in their excellent food the most diverse and high quality
wealth during the mediaeval and and drink, comfortable housing, goods in the shops at relatively
Renaissance periods. During the reliable medical and social low prices. The high production
half century before World War I, services, and highly developed and consumption standards have
Belgium was the fourth economic communications infrastructure. led to the publicity slogan ‘’This is
power in the world. If you take into Belgians tend to be happy, warm Belgian” being used as a quality
account that the other industrial and friendly once you get to know label, especially in the domains
powers had a 5 to 10 times larger
population, the achievement The country is one of the leading countries in
is impressive. This wealth was
due to industrial production
exports per capita in the world
Belgium in Focus

6. | Belgium
Heart of Europe
This tradition of openness continues today. Belgium
is still a hub for international contacts. More than
1,000 public and private international organisations
have set up headquarters or have a permanent
secretariat in Belgium.
Belgium in an international context
Belgium, whose prosperity is largely dependent on
external trade, has always played an active part in
various forms of international cooperation.
Since the creation of the Belgo-Luxembourg
Photo: Karen Eliot
Economic Union (BLEU) in 1921, Belgium has been
involved in every initiative to set up international
cooperation projects. As a Benelux member, Belgium
was one of the precursors of European unification.
The Berlaymont is a symbol of the European The three Benelux countries had decided back in
presence in Brussels 1944 that trade between their countries should
be free from import duties and that a common
Geographically, Belgium is centrally located in Europe.
customs tariff should be applied to trade with third
Belgium has traditionally been an especially open
countries. This customs union, which came into force
country and was one of the original driving forces
on 1 January 1948, promoted trade between the three
behind European unification. As the headquarters
Benelux countries.
of the European Commission, the Council and many
institutions linked to the EU, Brussels is most certainly In 1951, the Benelux countries together with France,
entitled to call itself the capital of Europe. the Federal Republic of Germany and Italy created the
European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). In 1957,
Belgium is situated at the heart of Europe. This is a
the ‘Six’ set up the European Economic Community
basic observation but the importance of its central
(EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community
geographical location between the most important
(Euratom). In 1965, these three organisations joined
countries in Western Europe needs to be highlighted.
together to form the European Communities. Following
At the risk of seeming paradoxical, Belgium was in a
a number of enlargements, Belgium is no longer one
way already playing a `European’ role even before it
of six member states but rather one of 27 members
became “Belgian”. Just look at the past roles of Bruges
of the European Union.
and Antwerp in international trade, Leuven’s role as
a university town and the part Liège played during
the industrial revolution. Source : Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Belgium
of food, drink and housing. More The facilities available in and have helped make the Belgian
unexpectedly, Belgians, such as the around Brussels, have already market one of the toughest and
“Antwerp Six” group, have made convinced a large number of most competitive in the world.
inroads in top ten fashion design, a multinational companies to base To prosper in this demanding
domain which was almost exclusively their European headquarters here, environment requires a high level
under the control of French, Italian alongside the many European of resourcefulness, creativity and
and Japanese designers. institutions. Hotels, international craftsmanship for which Belgian
and national banks, efficient companies have become known
Open to the World telecommunication services, the world over.
A crossroads of several cultures, conference facilities, trade fairs,
Belgium is a land of hospitality,
Belgium has the advantage of a ... all are in plentiful supply and
fully open to the world. We
central location within Europe and tuned to the demanding and
warmly welcome you.
a extraordinarily well-developed rapidly evolving needs of local
infrastructure. The communications and international business.
network is offering rapid and efficient Belgium’s open trading policies
Source: Made in Belgium
transports by air, sea, road and rail. and efficient communications
Belgium in Focus

7. Belgium – India |
Belgium and India:
A History of Close Ties
A detailed look at more than 60 years of diplomatic
ties between Belgium and India
Diplomatic relations between
The Kingdom of Belgium and
the Republic of India were
established more than 60
years ago and have remained
friendly ever since. But the
relations between our two
nations go an even longer
way back: the history of our
relationship starts in Bengal,
Photo: Press Information Bureau, India
in 1723, with the mooring of
the first ship of the Ostend
Company at Banquibazar.
The Belgians received the
concession of Banquibazar
as well as a settlement at
Cassimbazar from the Nawab
of Murshidabad and many
other ships of the Company
followed from 1725 to 1730. The President of India, Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil and the Prime Minister,
Dr. Manmohan Singh welcoming Their Majesties King Albert II and Queen
A History in Cultural Paola at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on November 04, 2008
Exchanges
A few decades later, the arrival of settlers would also bring back This cultural relationship might be
Antwerp-native artist Balthazar huge and sumptuous Belgian anchored in a past common history
Solvyns in Calcutta marked the cut-glass or crystal chandeliers but it also focuses on current and
first of a series of cultural high and mirrors. These pieces can future collaborations like such
points in the history of Indo- still be admired alongside works initiatives as the BOZAR/India
Belgian relations. One can find of the great Flemish masters in Festival, held in Brussels in 2006,
Solvyn’s paintings in high places, such places as the palaces of one of the largest Indian cultural
such as the Indian Prime Minister’s Gwalior and Mysore for instance, events ever organised abroad, and
Residence. the Marble Palace in Calcutta or inaugurated by the honourable
museums across the country. Lace Sonia Gandhi in person.
At the end of the 1770s, Belgium
also became known in India for from Bruges or Brussels came to Ties between Belgium and
its quality glass, iron and steel India through Sister Marie Louise India in the field of Education
products. The so-called Belgian de Meester, who taught the art of
Aside from culture, India and
trunk was very popular: it bore lace and embroidery to the orphans
Belgium have also enjoyed
the trademark ‘Belgium’, which of Mulagumoodu in Tamil Nadu.
historically close ties in the field
became a synonym of quality. Today, the orphanages continue
of education. The well-known St
From their travels in Europe, to produce goods for sale back in Xavier’s College has been run by
Maharajahs, merchants and Belgium! Belgian Jesuits for some 140 years
Belgium in Focus

8. | Belgium – India
selected Brussels as its main hub
for Europe and will connect most
Indian cities directly to Brussels in
the coming years.
Belgium is, in its turn, the 13th
largest investor in India worldwide
(the 8th from the EU): our country’s
cumulative investments (FDI) in
Photo: Press Information Bureau, India
India between 1991 and 2007
represent close to €160 million.
Belgium’s Commitment to the
Belgo-Indian Relationship
In a foreign policy note published
in 2006, the Belgian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs has declared it
was eager to commit itself even
King Albert II and Queen Paola paying their respects to Mahatma Gandhi more to its relationship with India,
and his legacy at Raj Ghat on November 4, 2008 recognizing the growing role the
country is playing on both the
now. ‘St Xavier’s’ is recognised all With more than €8.6 billion in political and economic level in
over India for its high standards of trade in 2007, Belgium, together Asia and in the world. The new
learning and the many VIPs and with the UK and Germany, is one policy was put to application the
VVIPs among its alumni. of India’s most important trading same year during Prime Minister
partners in the EU (who is, in turn, Verhofstadt and Minister of Foreign
Today, Belgium and India nourish India’s first trading partner with Affairs De Gucht’s visit to India in
these close ties in the field of more than €55 billion in trade in November. During this visit a
education through Agreements 2007). Bilateral Agreement on Science and
related to scholarship programs Technology as well as a ground-
as well as exchange programs Belgium is also a prime destination breaking Agreement on Social
between our universities. Every for Indian investors. Companies Security were signed. They were
year Belgium is happy to welcome like Suzlon, Crompton Greaves, added to the series of Agreements
constantly increasing numbers of the Thapar group, Raymond, already existing between both
Indian students: in 2007-08 there Ranbaxy, Matrix Labs, and others countries on such issues as the
were more than 420 Indian students have invested more than 1 billion avoidance of double taxation and
registered in our top universities, € in Belgium in 2006. In addition, the protection and promotion of
making Belgium one of continental Indian carrier Jet Airways has investments.
Europe’s most attractive countries
for Indian students.
A Constantly Growing Trade
and Economic Relationship
Belgium and Indian companies
have also enjoyed a long history
together out of which fruitful
collaborations have sprung in
various fields going from diamond
Photo: Press Information Bureau, India
trading cutting to infrastructure,
energy, ports, machinery, banking
finance, chemicals fertilizers,
nanotechnology, aerospace and of
course chocolate!
Countless joint-venture proposals
between Belgian and Indian
companies have been approved
(more than 200 between 1991 and
2004) and bilateral flows between King Albert II in a meeting with Mrs. Sonia
the two countries stand very high. Gandhi in New Delhi in November 2008
Belgium in Focus

9. Belgium – India |
The November 2008 State
Visit of Their Majesties
the King and Queen of the
Belgians to India
H.M. King Albert II and Minister
of Foreign Affairs Karel De Gucht’s
Photo: Honorary Consulate of Belgium in Chennai
official State Visit to India in
November 2008 also showed how
dedicated Belgium is to fostering
its relationship with India. The
carefully planned visit took our
King across the subcontinent
to visit officials, academics and
businessmen in New Delhi,
Mumbai and Hyderabad but also
to Chennai, a city that enjoys close
ties with Belgium.
The State Visit addressed most
of the sectors covered by the Their Majesties King Albert II and Queen Paola at the residence of
rich bilateral ties between both Honorary Consul of Belgium in Chennai, Dr. A.C. Muthiah
countries.
Official Contacts
The Official visit started on
Indian Community The Business Lunch in Delhi
was organised by CII and the
Belgian Federation of Enterprises
November 4th when the Belgian
Sovereigns, accompanied by
in Belgium and witnessed the signing of
five agreements between Belgian
Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs There are about 7,000 persons and Indian companies in various
and Trade H.E. Mr. Karel De of Indian origin in Belgium. sectors: IBA and VECC (cyclotron),
Gucht and his wife, were welcomed Indian Communities are mainly Janssen Pharmaceutica and the
at Rashtrapati Bhawan by H.E. in Antwerp and Brussels. ASI (treatment and restoration of
President Pratibha Patil and H.E. heritage monuments), Tractebel
There are about 250 families
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Engineering and GAIL India Limited
engaged in diamond trade in
(supply of pipeline infrastructures),
The King and Queen of the Antwerp. Many of the other a Belgian consortium and Indian
Belgians as well as the Minister Indians living in Belgium Gas Limited (for the construction
then went on to Raj Ghat to pay
are professionals employed of Manappad Port) and an MoU
their respects. Later that day, His
with either multinational between the Free University of
Majesty King Albert II, alongside
companies or other professional Brussels and IIM Ahmedabad.
Minister De Gucht, met with Shri
Pranab Mukherjee before leaving organisations. There are seven In Mumbai, H.M. the King hosted
to Hyderabad House for a closed Indian associations. The leading a restricted Power Lunch at the
doors meeting with Prime Minister ones are Bhartiya Samaj and the Taj Mahal Palace, in presence of
Manmohan Singh. In the afternoon, among others H.E. the Minister
Antwerp Indian Association.
the Sovereigns received a call by of Foreign Affairs, V.K. Kamath
Mrs. Sonia Gandhi. (Managing Director CEO of ICICI
An Impressive Agenda of
Bank), Naresh Goyal (Chairman Jet
The day was concluded by a Business Deliverables
Airways), M.V. Nair (Chairman
formal State Dinner hosted by H.E.
The State Visit also had an impressive and Managing Director Union
President Pratibha Devisingh Patil
business agenda, proportionate to Bank of India), André Bergen
at Rashtrapati Bhawan.
the size of the Belgian business (CEO KBC Group), Dr. Ajit Shetty
In all the cities visited by the Royal delegation that was accompanying (Chairman Board of Directors
delegation, official contacts were Their Majesties: no less than 40 Janssen Pharmaceutica) and Dilip
made with the state authorities as of the most important CEO’s of Mehta (CEO Rosy Blue). The Taj
well and the Sovereigns had the the country had been invited to was also the scene of the signature
pleasure of enjoying the hospitality joint the Royal Visit! The business of various Agreements between
of the Governors of Maharashtra agenda included some high-level Belgian and Indian companies in
and Tamil Nadu as well as the Chief business lunches in Delhi, Mumbai the fields of Banking (Agreement
Minister of Andhra Pradesh. and Chennai. between KBC Asset Management
Belgium in Focus

10. | Belgium – India
and workers at a national level. Both
the Sovereigns attended the signing
ceremony of a series of Declarations of
Intent between the Brothers of Charity
and Help Handicapped International
as well as the Tata institute of Social
Sciences on the topic of mental
health.
In Chennai, Queen Paola visited the
Little Flower Convent for Deaf Dumb,
a school recognised for its outstanding
work by the Government in Tamil
Nadu since 1931. She also made the
Photo: Press Information Bureau, India
trip to the Holy Family Hansenorium
in Fathimanagar (Tiruchirapalli) that
provides quality leprosy services to
needy patients thanks to financial
support from the Damian Foundation.
In India, the leprosy case load came
down from 160 for every 10000
population in 1986 to less than 1
case for every 10000 population in
1997. While the field programme was
H.M. King Albert II planting a tree at the Infosys Campus in taken over by the Government, the
Hyderabad on November 8, 2008 institution was recognized as a tertiary
referral centre for managing leprosy
and Union Bank of India for an asset the Karnataka Academy of Social patients with complications.
management joint venture company) and Sciences and Humanities), the
Logistics (Contract between the Belgian University of Madras and the (Re)discovering India
industrial group Cockerill Maintenance Flemish interuniversity Council,
and Ingenierie and Tata Steel for the the Catholic University of Leuven More than a simple political or
delivery of a Cold Rolling Mill). and the Society for Electronics business visit, the State Visit of the
and Security, and the Indian and Belgian Sovereigns to India was
In Chennai, South India Chamber of Belgian Nuclear Societies. also all about discovering India in
Commerce and Industry (SICCI) and its immensely diversified cultural
the Belgian Federation of Enterprises Encouraging of Common work and philosophical presence and
organised a joint Seminar on Port on Social Issues heritage. The King and Queen took it
development with the participation upon them to visit sites representing
of the Zeebrugge and Antwerp Port During the Royal Visit, Her Majesty the most prominent faiths of the
Authorities. the Queen visited numerous Indian subcontinent: from the Birla Mandir
organisations that work in the and the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib in
Confirming the Important social field in the various cities that Delhi to the Kapaleeswarar Temple in
Academic ties between Belgium were on the agenda. Mylapore, without forgetting the Jain
and India Temple on Ridge Road in Mumbai
In Delhi, she visited Cansupport,
and the Santhome Basilica in Chennai.
Their Majesties King Albert II and Queen an Indian organisation that
It was surely a most enlightening
Paola were also accompanied by a provides information, hope and
experience.
large academic delegation comprised expert palliative care at no cost
of the Rectors (equivalent of the Indian to the homes of cancer patients During this visit Their Majesties and
Vice-Chancellors) of the major Belgian and their families living in Delhi the members of the delegation have
universities. In this field as well, the State and the NCR, and the Women (re)discovered that, in spite of many
Visit was the ideal opportunity to put on and Children Welfare Centre that paradoxes, India is most certainly
paper the basis for future collaborations works with victims of exploitation defining itself as an emerging political
between, amongst others, the Free and violence. and economic giant. Those who were
University of Brussels and Jawaharlal privileged enough to accompany the
Nehru University, the Catholic University In Mumbai Her Majesty visited State Visit of our Sovereigns were on
of Louvain and the Chennai Mathematical the National Domestic Workers the front row to witness how deep
Institute as well as IIT Bombay, the Movement that is active in 23 Belgian’s bilateral ties with India run
Ghent University and universities from Indian States and works towards and how this crucial relationship is
Karnataka (in view of the building of achieving dignity for domestic work cherished by both sides.
Belgium in Focus 10

11. Minister De Gucht |
“Royal Visit Signalled a Qualitative
Leap in Indo-Belgian Partnership”
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, Mr. Karel De Gucht shares his
views on recent bilateral developments between Belgium and India in an
interview with Harun Riaz and Shilpy Arora
memoranda, involving contracts had, by the networking that took
Mr. Minister, the November in the energy industry, cooperation place between our academics
2008 State visit to India by in developing ports, technological and by the political discussions
King Albert II and Queen cooperation, a joint venture in we’ve had.
Paola took place after a long the banking sector, educational
gap of 38 years. What tangible For me as minister of Foreign
projects... Too much to mention.
gains have been achieved Affairs, exchanging views with
by Belgium from the current But a State Visit is about more Indian officials on cooperation
visit? than just the immediate, tangible in the Congo, for instance, or on
gains. In general, relations trade negotiations in the WTO
There’s quite a lot of them. We between India and Belgium have are very important. And in that
have signed eight business deals been much strengthened by the respect also, this was a very
and no less than 17 academic contacts our business people have satisfying visit.
“The energy, the
potential and the
culture of India are
enough to charm
anybody”
Can you share the thoughts of
Their Majesties about India,
its people and were they
received well?
The energy, the potential and the
culture of India are enough to
charm anybody. I have visited the
country before, both as a minister
and as a tourist, and every time
I’m struck by the friendliness and
the vibrancy of it.
For us, this was the biggest and
the longest State Visit ever, with
Photo: Mikhail Evstafiev
over 150 people travelling in
different delegations - academics,
officials, businessmen etc – and
the way everything was organised,
the warmth and the efficiency of
our reception, was splendid. Just
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, Mr. Karel De Gucht perfect.
11 Belgium in Focus

12. | Minister De Gucht
Despite an old, close and
vibrant Belgium-India
relationship, no President
of India has ever visited
Belgium. Why?
We very much look forward
to welcoming the President of
India for a visit to our country.
And the President of India
can be assured of our best
hospitality, as a tribute to
the warmth of our smooth
relations and as a signal of our
eagerness to further develop
our cooperation.
In India, Brussels is known
as European capital, rather
than Belgian capital.
How much this factor
overshadows Belgian-India
business growth and tourism
potential?
Photo: Photo Division Archive
Belgians are enthusiastic
Europeans and there is no way
we would be jealous of Europe
or irritated because a portion of
the visitors visit Brussels first as
the capital of Europe.
Their Majesties King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola being
received by President of India, Mr. V. V. Giri at Rashtrapati On the contrary, we are proud
Bhavan in New Delhi on January 28, 1970 to share Brussels with the European
Prince Philippe has visited “It will not take another 38 years for the next
India thrice in the last Belgian State Visit to come to India!”
decade. How different is the
visit by King Albert II in
comparison?
cultural, social, economic, Union and there is no bad reason
These visits have a very different academic, etc… to visit the city. Belgium offers
scope. When HRH Prince the best location as a gateway to
Philippe visits India, he leads The purpose here was not to focus Europe, with its central position
an economic mission of Belgian specifically on a limited number and the presence of European and
businessmen who want to explore of sectors, but to maximize the other international institutions.
business opportunities in India, general benefits of this State visit The Indian company Jet Airways,
and he helps them in doing so by for both the countries. This State for instance, understood this well
facilitating high level contacts. visit signalled also a qualitative and has aptly chosen Brussels as a
leap towards a global partnership successful hub for its international
The visit of HM King Albert II between Belgium and India.
was a State visit. It was an all operations linking Europe and
So many contacts have been North America with India.
encompassing event, whereby initialled in several fields and we
all the aspects of the relations expect a permanently increased No, being at the heart of Europe is
between India and Belgium have cooperation to result from the a diplomatic and economic bonus
been tackled: diplomatic, political, visit. for us, no doubt about it.
Belgium in Focus 12

13. Minister De Gucht |
and an opportunity. It could be
“This was the biggest and the longest State a challenge if we are unable to
Visit ever, with over 150 people travelling in adapt ourselves or if we don’t
listen to market signals, be it at
different delegations” the end of the sales line or at the
production level.
But it could also
be an opportunity
for us to seize. Our
experience dates back
centuries and the
position of Antwerp
in this sector carries
a brand value which
we should and will
further develop. Why
should we not look for
Photo: Press Information Bureau, India
joint undertakings in
this field with Indian
traders whereby the
win-win solutions
would benefit faster
and even more to both
partners?
You came on a
Queen Paola and Foreign Minister Mr. De Gucht and his wife visiting
the historic Taj Mahal at Agra city in November 2008 second visit to India. You
also have a friendly relation
with Minister Kamal Nath. Is
Despite Belgium’s attractive the Indians have found good there a better understanding of
tax benefits to the information opportunities. And we notice India in Brussels, the capital
technology sector, major Indian also that those, sometimes of Europe?
investment goes into diamond considerable, Indian investments
sector. Moreover, some major have been beneficial for the I should say that today, India
Indian multinationals have companies involved (Suzlon is much more on Europe’s mind
established their European Energy, Hanssen Transmissions, than it was just a few years ago.
headquarters in Amsterdam. Crompton Graves, All Cargo The rise in economic power, its
Why Netherlands has an Movers, Raymond, Ranbaxy, growing role in regional and world
upper hand when it comes to ArcelorMittal, Jet Airways etc.), affairs, the proactive positions
attracting Indian business? securing good employment and taken in some of the pressing
opening up new markets. world challenges such as climate
It is true that, for decades, the change or the trade negotiations,
major Indian investments in the very serious approach to the
Belgium were mostly directed As Indians are now holding
issue of terrorism…, these are all
towards the diamond sector. key position in the global
factors which help us to keep in
There’s nothing wrong with that. diamond business, how do
closer touch with India, and to
We are proud of the trust and Belgian people look at this
factor? Does it affect Belgian- seek synergies.
we are happy to know that the
Indian investors have benefitted India ties in any way? This visit was symbolic for these
well from their ventures. closer relations, and it was
Business is a very dynamic
activity, in constant evolution very helpful in developing them
But there’s more to our
and the diamond business is no further.
relationship. Today we see a
strong diversification of the Indian exception to this rule. As Belgians, Rest assured, it will not take
investments in all sectors… we see the growing presence of another 38 years for the next
heavy industries, manufacturing, Indians in the global diamond Belgian State visit to come to
logistics, services. You name it, business both as a challenge India!
13 Belgium in Focus

14. | Business
“More than 60 Belgian Companies
Already Doing Business with India”
In conversation with Harun Riaz, Mr. Philippe Vlerick, Chairman of the
BICCI - the Belgo-Indian Chamber of Commerce Industry and Mr. Thomas
Leysen, President of the FEB – the Federation of Enterprises in Belgium -
reveal why Belgian expertise is recognised worldwide
Photos: FEB/VBO
Mr. Philippe Vlerick Mr. Thomas Leysen
hub, Avantha Group or Suzlon Industry and the FEB have
Mr. Vlerick, Mr. Leysen, what been in projecting Belgium
which are active in the energy
are your thoughts from the 10- as an investment, trade and
sector in Belgium, TCS which
day visit to India in November economic partner for the
is already operating with more
2008, a State visit by King Indian businesses?
than 300 employees in Brussels,
Albert II?
etc. This is a good basis and we
We have organized several
We are extremely satisfied! The have underlined these existing
business forums and networking
Business delegation- 40 Belgian trade and investments relations.
session in the four cities we have
companies active in the key But we must have the ambition
visited - New Delhi, Mumbai,
sectors of the Belgian economy – to do better! And we believe that
Hyderabad, Chennai - in order
has been extremely well received this State Visit has contributed
to contribute to further strengthen
in India, a very dynamic emerging to reach this strategic objective;
the existing trade and investment
country. More than 60 Belgian for example, about ten contracts
relations between our two very
companies, active in the industry between Belgian and Indian
dynamic countries.
and the services, are already companies or partners have been
active in India. And several main signed during the Visit. We have promoted some key
Indian companies are already Belgian companies active in
active in Belgium, like for example the following sectors: the eco-
How successful the Belgo-
Jet Airways, which has chosen the technologies, the diamonds,
Indian Chamber of Commerce
Brussels Airport for its European the bio-pharmaceuticals and
Belgium in Focus 1

15. Business |
the port activities. Many top members of the FEB (branch characteristics we have in common
Belgian companies, active in these organisations) very often organize should help the Belgian and the
sectors, are already active in India trade missions to India. In this Indian companies in their business
for years and we are strongly regard we already look forward relations.
convinced that these partnerships to participating in the broad
can be improved. For example, economic mission to India which
What’s your current membership
several Belgian companies are should be organized in 2010 and
strength and what is the level
worldwide leaders in the niches which would be headed by the
of awareness among members
of the eco-technologies (energy Crown Prince.
about Belgian economy as well
efficiency, renewable energies,
as Indian economy?
waste management, air and water
The BICCI has signed
cleaning, etc.) and they could The membership of BICCI became
a Memorandum of
offer a clear added-value to help very representative during the last
Understanding with Southern
India to tackle the challenges years and is bringing the BICCI
India Chamber of Commerce
linked to the climate change or the to one of the most active chambers
and Industry (SICCI). Can
increase of the energy demand. in Belgium.
you elaborate on the new
Furthermore, the contracts which
agreement? A lot of industries and businesses
have been signed during the
Visit – in the field of industry, are paying membership and this is
This MoU, which has been signed
infrastructures, financial services a clear commitment. The presence
in Chennai by the FEB on behalf
or port activities – illustrate this on the events is another proof.
of the BICCI, aims to create
high potential. a framework for exchange of
But we have also promoted information, hosting of business The amount of Belgian
Belgium as THE gateway to delegations, etc. It underlines the investment in India is
Europe for Indian investors. mutual ambition to further develop significantly low, compared
Belgium is located at the heart of the existing relationships. to EU member countries like
Europe and the main institutions Germany, France, Netherlands
of the European Union are and Norway. What needs to be
How successful or difficult the done to significantly enhance
located in Brussels, the second Belgian-India matchmaking
largest diplomatic centre in the Belgian presence in India and
programme has been to set up vice a versa?
world after Washington. The new businesses? Are cultural
Belgian economy is a very open differences between Europe As already mentioned, more than
economy, benefiting from state of and India a hindrance in 60 Belgian companies are already
the art infrastructure and a high business promotion? active in India and on the other
quality labour force. Moreover the side the Belgian export to India
companies operating in Belgium Although Belgium and India are has increased by 16 per cent last
benefit from a very attractive tax very different as far as the scale of year. But this must indeed be
regime. And Belgium is very well the countries and of the population increased and further diversified.
appreciated by the expats for its are concerned, they do have some Regarding the business climate
great quality of live. similarities. Our two countries in India, a lot has already been
are organized on a federal basis, done by the Indian authorities
which means that the regional to attract FDI or to encourage
What are you doing to diversify
authorities are in charge of several the foreign companies to extend
the trade basket between
policies directly linked to the their activities in India. We have
Belgium and India, excluding
day-to-day of the companies. encouraged the Indian authorities
the diamond business, which
This means also that, in India to go forward in their economic
dominates the bilateral
and in Belgium, we are used to reforms and to further cut the
trade?
successfully manage different red tape (administrative burdens,
We try to work on these two regional and cultural identities mostly for the SME’s), develop
directions: to extend the activities and languages. This diversity is the infrastructures and facilitate
of our companies in and with seen as an added-value for our the access to land ownership and
India and to attract more two countries. Finally, our two further open the Indian market for
Indian investors in Belgium. The countries are very open to the foreign goods and services. And
BICCI welcomes very often world and our companies are of course the Belgian authorities
Indian business delegations and used to working every day with must also reinforce their efforts
organizes several business forums partners and employees from in order to attract more Indian
dedicated to India. And the key different nationalities. These investments.
1 Belgium in Focus

16. | Invest in Belgium
Belgium
Leading Investment Destination
Belgium has a clearly international outlook due to its geographical
location, multicultural population and history
For centuries, it has been a gateway to your project off the ground. The as their holding location for
continental Europe and trading hub, Fiscal Department for Foreign investments in Europe allows
retaining the best of Latin, Germanic Investments (at FPS Finance) corporate investors from treaty
and Anglo-Saxon cultures. The people provides free, confidential advice. countries to repatriate European
of Belgium enjoy a fine reputation for There is an intelligent tax solution profits without paying dividend
their high level of productivity, loyalty, for your project. withholding tax and without a
openness and multilingual skills. limitation on profits.
Belgian tax legislation also
Belgium is a federal state consisting provides economic players with The Belgian tax system has also
of three regions: Brussels , Flanders a generally applicable advance created attractive conditions for
and Wallonia. Each region has a great ‘ruling’ practice, which enables employers, expatriate employees
deal of autonomy, making Belgium them to assess fiscal consequences or researchers. RD projects
one of the most modern states in of investment decisions in also benefit from tax incentives,
the world. The regions’ powers and advance. The ruling is issued such as environmentally friendly
responsibilities include trade, the within three months and the ruling investments.
economy, employment, industry, decision is legally binding for up
agriculture and the environment. They to five years. The nominal tax Business-Friendly
each pursue a dynamic economic policy rate for small and medium-sized Government Administrations
geared to their own requirements and enterprises (SMEs) with a taxable
provide free professional, confidential profit not exceeding €322,500, is If you’re looking to set up shop
support to help you make your business of 24.98% and at the lower end in Europe, expand your business
plans a success. of the European tax scale. or make Belgium your hub of
operations, then you’ve come to
Clear Attraction One of the most popular Belgian the right place. Welcome to the
fiscal measures is the notional capital of Europe!
These policies are bearing fruit. interest deduction. Belgium is
Foreign Direct Investment magazine the only European country to The Belgian administrative
(a Financial Times publication) recently alleviate the differences in tax authorities are keen to help
ranked Flanders and Wallonia among treatment between finance raised you. You will be provided with
the top 5 most attractive regions in through venture capital and customised, confidential services.
Europe. Among large cities, Brussels finance raised through borrowed We would be delighted to help
ranked in the top 10 for infrastructure, capital. It allows companies to you make your plans a success.
quality of life and human resources . deduct a notional charge from
their tax base that corresponds The Belgian federal and regional
This combined regional performance
to a specific percentage of their administrations will help you free
makes Belgium one of the most
‘adjusted’ equity capital. of charge, providing flexible, non-
attractive countries in Europe, offering
an environment rich in opportunities, bureaucratic and pro-investor
The ‘new domestic dividend support. Most of them have
stable economic growth and a strong
withholding tax exemption’ is branches nearby, making it easy
currency.
also likely to become very popular for you to contact them in Belgium
among investors. It extends the or in your country. You will see
An Intelligent Pro-Business Tax
EU Parent-Subsidiary Directive and feel the difference.
System
between the 27 EU-countries
While all commercial companies and Switzerland to all countries Tax Advice
resident in Belgium are subject to worldwide that have a double
The Federal Public Service
corporate income tax, the authorities tax treaty with Belgium, such as
Finance has a team of experts
can help you find the best fiscal Hong Kong, the United States
that provides tax information
mechanisms allowing you to get and also India. Using Belgium
and support for foreign investors
Belgium in Focus 1

17. Invest in Belgium |
already established in Belgium. you find the best opportunities for to set up or expand in Flanders,
It informs and guides foreign your business in Belgium. the northern region of Belgium and
investors on tax matters and one of Europe ‘s most favourable
assists them in their dealings with If you’re seeking assistance business locations. In Wallonia,
the tax authorities. This includes on other matters (locations, the southern region of Belgium,
providing support for the notional incentives, partners, etc.), our foreign investors are welcomed
interest deduction and helping to regional authorities will be by the Office for Foreign Investors
prepare the ruling file. delighted to provide you with (OFI).
professional help. In Brussels,
The Federal Public Service the Brussels Enterprise Agency Belgium
http://invest.belgium.be/
Economy also organises support (BEA) will provide you with the Brussels
for foreign investors, helping support you need to launch your http://www.investinbrussels.com/
them with their procedures and business in the capital of Europe. Wallonia
formalities. FPS Economy’s Service Flanders Investment Trade http://www.investinwallonia.be/
Flanders
for Foreign Investments will help helps foreign businesses seeking http://www.investinflanders.com/
Support to Foreign Investors
Full support is given by the investment offices at
federal and regional level.
On the federal level the Service for Foreign
Investments of the Federal Public Service Economy
provides general information, coordinates with the
federal and regional authorities and guides you
throughout your investment decision process.
Federal Public Service Economy, SMEs,
Self-Employed Energy
Service for Foreign Investments City
Atrium C
rue du Progres 50 Vooruitgangstraat
1210 Brussels
Tel: + 32 2 277 7808 • Fax + 32 2 277 53 06
www.investinbelgium.fgov.be
Wallonia Export Investment Agency
invest.belgium@mineco.fgov.be
Namur Office Park, Avenue des dessus de Lives, 6
Ministry of the Brussels Capital Region 5101 NAMUR-LOYERS
Foreign Investments Department Tel: +32(0)81/33.28.50 Fax: +32(0)81/33.28.69
Bid du Jardin Botanique 20 Kruidtuinlaan www.investinwallonia.be
1035 Brussels investinwallonia@investinwallonia.be
Tel: + 32 2 800 34 61 • Fax: + 32 2 800 38 06
Federal Public Service Finance
www.investinbrussels.com
Fiscal Opt for Foreign Investments
www.brussels.irisnet.be
Rue Marie Theresestraat 1, box 4 1000 Brussels
invest.eco@mrbc.irisnet.be
Tel. + 32 2 579 38 66
Brussels Enterprise Agency (BEA) http://minfin.fgov.be/portail2/en/index.htm
Tour Taxis
Avenue du Port 86c Havenlaan, Set up a company in just 3 days
Box 21 1 1000 Brussels
Tel: + 32 2422 00 20 • Fax+ 32 2 422 00 43 It takes just three days to complete all the formalities
and get your business up and running.
www.bea.irisnet.be
Day 1 – the Bank: open a bank account and deposit
www.investinbrussels.com the minimum start-up capital
info@bea.irisnet.be Day 2 – the Notary: use e-deposit to draw up deed
Ministry of the Flanders Region of incorporation and articles of association (you will be
Flanders Investment Trade assigned a unique ‘enterprise number’, registered with
rue Gaucheretstraat 90, 1030 Brussels the Crossroads Bank of Enterprises and registered with
Tel: + 32 2 50488 71 • Fax: + 32 2 504 88 70 the clerk of the Commercial Court, and your documents
will be published in the Belgian Official Gazette)
www.flandersinvestmentandtrade.com
Day 3 – the business one-stop shop: your enterprise
invest@fitagency.be number is activated.
1 Belgium in Focus

18. | Port Infrastructure
Belgium and India to work Together
on Port Development Projects
Various modernised and greener ports have been built in Belgium that
can be used as models for developing docks in India
Photo: www.portofantwerp.com
Port of Zeebrugge
Belgium is one of the pioneering countries to log into Cooperation between companies of both countries in
the Indian ports business with innovative plans and the field of port development was one of the central
programmes. The Memorandum of Understanding themes of the Belgian State Visit to India as it is
(MoU) signed between the port of Chennai and the a field in which both countries have already been
port of Zeebrugge of Belgium in November 2008, and working together closely, among other things in the
a MoU between a Belgian Consortium of companies specific field of dredging.
and Indian Gas Limited for the construction of a port in
Manappad during the State Visit of Belgian King Albert Much to Gain
II to India clearly indicates that Belgium and Belgian Size and Experience
companies are keen to groom the Indian docks. In the field of port development, Belgium and India
The MoU between Chennai and Zeebrugge will show very complementary characteristics.
also enlarge the scope in various fields of marine On the one hand, one has a country with 12 major
transportation, port development and for working ports along its 7.517 km coastline, where some 133.8
together as sister ports, in the case of Chennai million tonnes of cargo were handled in the first
and Zeebrugge. It will also enlarge the scope of quarter of 2008 alone.
cooperation between the two ports and enable active
interaction between the management and personnel On the other hand, one has a much smaller country
of the two ports for their mutual benefits. but that has been working for centuries as a major
Belgium in Focus 1

19. Port Infrastructure |
Photo: www.portofantwerp.com
Photo: Koos Fernhout
View of the Port of Antwerp Cranes in the Port of Antwerp
“ The aim of the MoU is to exchange ideas, technology and other inputs
from the Port of Zeebrugge to make the Chennai Port a clean cargo port ”
entry port to Europe for goods from across the Opportunities in Dredging
world. With several major harbours within 100 km
of each other, Belgium has the largest concentration Industry analysts feel dredging could be a major area
of seaports handling the highest volume of general of cooperation between Belgium and India in the
cargo in the world. sector of port development. As per the Eleventh Plan
(2007-12) of India, the country needs a total capital
Antwerp, one of Belgium’s major ports, harbours the dredging requirement of almost 298.28 million cubic
second biggest chemical cluster in the world after metres in all the major ports. Hence India is leaving
Houston (USA) and handles nearly 200 million tonnes no stone unturned to attract overseas companies in
of cargo per year thanks to the hundreds of regular this area.
shipping lines that connect the Port of Antwerp to
some 800 overseas ports. The Port of Zeebrugge, Belgium is already involved in the dredging operations
with lock-free access and berthing, is one of the at some of the major ports of South India such as the
most modern container ports in Europe. Connected Kochi and Ennore ports. But this MoU has opened
to some 400 ports in more than 100 countries, this new vistas and now Belgium can explore possibilities
port is known for its handling of cars (more than in the Chennai Port as well.
1.600.000 enter or exit Europe through this port every
year). Other important Belgian ports include the Port Infrastructural Development
of Ghent (specialised in the handling of bulk cargo),
the Port of Liège (2nd biggest European inland port) Setting its sights on becoming ‘the Detroit of Asia’,
and the Port of Brussels. the Government of Tamil Nadu state is giving extra
emphasis to the infrastructure development of the
Chennai Port. Infrastructural development projects
Clean Cargo Port
carried out by the Belgian companies on the Ennore
The aim of the MoU between the ports of Chennai port of Tamil Nadu demonstrated the calibre of
and Zeebrugge is to exchange ideas, technology and Belgian private sector. The Chennai Port was therefore
other inputs from the Port of Zeebrugge to make the keen to invite Belgian expertise, particularly in
Chennai Port a clean cargo port. maritime transportation.
Belgian ports have a great deal to offer to their Indian Green Project
counterparts in the fields of port development. One of
the best examples of the country’s maritime potential With increasing focus on green projects, the MoU also
is the successful move of the port of Zeebrugge from emphasizes that the Port of Zeebrugge will exchange
handling dirty cargo such as coal and iron ore to the best practices to reduce ecological footprint of
containers, cars and clean cargos. logistical activities at the Chennai Port.
1 Belgium in Focus