Date:09/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/09/stories/2008110955500600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Belgium keen to invest in Indian nuke power plants

Special Correspondent

King Albert II visits Hyderabad with 150-strong trade team

Prospects of more trade ties bright: Belgian Minister
Belgium’s expertise in bio-pharma, nuke energy cited

HYDERABAD: Belgium is keen on investing in India in the areas of nuclear energy, financial services, bio-pharma and logistics, said Du Gucht, Belgian Minister for Foreign Trade and Foreign Affairs.

King of Belgium Albert II visited the city on Saturday along with a 150-strong trade delegation that had interaction with Indian industrialists, entrepreneurs, trade bodies — CII and FAPCCI — and students and faculty of the Indian School of Business (ISB).

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the function, Mr. Gucht said that the mergers and acquisitions of companies in the two countries happened in the past and the prospects of some more such trade relations were bright.

A few Indian companies such as Crompton Greaves and All Cargo acquired some businesses in Belgium in the last five years. He said that his country had expertise in bio-pharma and nuclear energy and the two areas had strong potential for collaboration. A meeting in New Delhi on Monday would open a dialogue between the two countries on how they could collaborate in the nuclear energy sector. ISB Dean M. Ram Mohan Rao presented a memento to the King. Interestingly, Mr. Gucht said that the banking and financial sectors in India were very attractive owing to strong savings culture in the country. He disclosed that KBC of Belgium signed an agreement with Union Bank of India on Thursday to launch an asset management company.

Queen visits Charminar

Amid tight security, the Queen made an unannounced visit to Charminar and Mecca Masjid.