From March 1 to 8, Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid of Belgium, Representative of His Majesty the King, will lead a high-profile economic mission to India, representing His Majesty the King. The mission will see a large delegation from various sectors and regions of Belgium traveling to New Delhi and Mumbai to reinforce Belgium’s image as an attractive business partner and a gateway to the European market. A press conference was held today in Mumbai to announce the upcoming key events, which will take place in New Delhi from March 2-4 and in Mumbai from March 2-5, setting the stage for an exciting week of diplomatic and business engagement.
India, as the world’s fifth-largest economy, plays a pivotal role on the global stage and has become an increasingly important partner for Belgium in terms of economic and commercial diversification. India’s sustained economic growth, vast internal market, and expanding middle class make it a key focus for Belgian businesses.
This mission is a collaborative effort and is organized by the Belgian Foreign Trade Agency, the Federal Public Service of Foreign Affairs and the regional institutions in charge of foreign trade: Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT) , hub brussels, and the Wallonia Export-Investment Agency (AWEX).
HRH Princess Astrid will be accompanied by a ministerial delegation consisting of Maxime Prévot, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation; Theo Francken, Minister of Defence, responsible for Foreign Trade; and Matthias Diependaele, Minister-President of the Flemish Government and Flemish Minister for Economy, Innovation and Industry, Foreign Affairs, Digitalisation and Facility Management.
The official delegation will be accompanied by some 326 participants from the economic, financial, academic and political worlds, including prominent Belgian companies, who will join the mission to forge new ties and strengthen existing relationships. The Belgian media will cover the events extensively.
Princess Astrid and the accompanying ministers will also have official meetings during the mission with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar, Minister of Commerce Piyush Goyal, Governor of Maharashtra C P Radhakrishnan, and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of Maharashtra.
The Belgian Foreign Trade Agency (BFTA) has launched a temporary website at www.Belgianeconomicmission.be, along with a Mobile App, “Belgian Economic Mission,” available for both iOS and Android users. The platform provides a comprehensive overview of the mission, including the full program, company profiles, participant contact details, and key documents such as economic indicators, a useful information guide, and press releases. This digital hub aims to facilitate seamless communication and engagement throughout the mission, ensuring all participants and stakeholders stay informed and connected. For those looking to explore the Belgian economic mission to India further, these resources are essential tools to navigate the events and opportunities ahead.
