Belgium’s Antwerp Port Authority hails cooperation with India

BRUSSELS - The Antwerp Port Authority in Belgium Thursday hailed the opening of its second office in India saying it will further boost collaboration with that country, EuAsiaNews reported.

Belgium’s Prince Philippe and Antwerp Port chairman Marc Van Peel, currently visiting India, opened the second branch office in Pune Thursday.

“In this way the port of Antwerp seeks to promote itself even more actively in India and to generate new trade in both directions,” the Antwerp Port Authority said in a statement.

The Antwerp Port opened its first branch office in India in 2006 in Mumbai.

The western Indian cities of Mumbai, Pune and Nasik form what is called the “Golden Triangle”, with IT services, car production, manufacturing, biotechnology and other industries making it the most important economic region in India, noted the statement.

“The ports of Jawaharlal Nehru (Nhava Sheva) and Mumbai Port are therefore of great importance for importing and exporting products. In view of the enormous growth potential of the region, the Antwerp Port Authority aims to appoint another representative in Nasik,” it said.

The Antwerp Port Authority said it has long been aware of the Indian growth potential, and so it is investing specifically in closer collaboration with businesses and local authorities in that country. Antwerp is a very important European gateway for Indian exports and imports.

Last year, some four million tonnes of freight were carried to and from India via Antwerp. Containers, steel and petroleum derivatives in particular, make up a significant proportion of the trade in both directions, added the statement.