Belgium-based Belgo-Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BICCI) released its latests India News Flash. BICCI seeks to promote the commercial, industrial, scientific and financial co-operation between Belgium and the Republic of India. The BICC&I also supports educational, cultural and social exchange programmes. Through its channel and its co-operation with Indian, Belgian and European official institutions, BICC&I serves businesses in both directions, from Belgium to India and from India to Belgium.

Excerpt from latest edition of ‘Economic Good News from Belgium’: Dhamra was a small fishing port in the state of Orissa, on the Gulf of Bengal. Thanks to, amongst others, Dredging International, which is part of DEME (Dredging, Environmental and Marine Engineering Group), from Zwijndrecht in the province of Antwerp, a new port will open there on 1 March 2010. Dredgers are deepening the 19 km long access channel to Dhamra. The clay that is scooped up is dumped in the sea further up. Then pure sand is dredged up thirty kilometres away and used to raise the 130 hectares of land where the port terminal will be. In the meantime work is in full swing to build the infrastructure for the terminal – jetties, transfer stations, railways, cranes, conveyor belts, etc. When the terminal is ready …

A year and a half after being set up in January 2008, BLBA member, Picanol India is now well established with three branches offering a comprehensive range of services to the Indian textile industry. “I am very happy that we have managed to build such a solid organization and get up to full speed in the space of a year,” says Mr. P. Kasiviswanathan, Head of Indian Operations.

The head office is located in Delhi, with two other branches in Mumbai and Coimbatore respectively. In addition there is a residential service engineer covering Gujarat, with three people available around the clock stationed in….

From October 31st 2009 onwards, ALL foreign nationals, including the ones working on projects or contracts, will require employment visas to work in India. We advise BLBA members who are affected by these new guidelines to contact their company’s senior tax professionals. Read the Economic Times article by Karishma Julka, senior tax professional with Ernst & Young, India, for some more background information: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/5163647.cms?prtpage=1.

Today BLBA received a message from Eurochambers announcing the postponement of the European Business Delegation to India, 5-6 November 2009:
“Regretfully, we must inform you that the strategic decision was taken to postpone the EBTC European Business Delegation to early 2010 so as to achieve the highest return and visibility. We apologize for the inconvenience and encourage you to remain in contact with us on the matter.” Anita Ryczan, Eurochambers International Affairs. BLBA will keep you informed about the new dates.

It is with great pleasure that we announce the expansion of the Belgian Business Association into the Belgian-Luxembourg Business Association. During the AGM of September 29th, members unanimously approved the resolution put in front of them to expand the BBA into the BLBA. On behalf of the executive committee of the BLBA, we would like to thank all members for their support and look forward to working with them under the umbrella of the BLBA. The new BLBA logo was created by BLBA member company Crystal Hues Limited Limited, an advertising and translation company. We would like to thank Crystal Hues’ president, Mr. Sudheen, and his team for their support. Formalities to finalize the merger will take some more time, but we expect to have everything finalized by the beginning of 2010. We will keep you updated.

BBA member Picanol will be present with an INFOBOOTH during Techtextil in Mumbai, from 10 to 12 October 2009. Certainly for weavers who want to get the most out of technical fabrics. Techtextil Mumbai is a good opportunity to discover what Picanol has to offer specifically for this niche market.
Technical Fabrics are gaining momentum in India for a couple of reasons. The first one because the markets for technical fabrics are related to the economy and India ’s economy is growing at a high pace. Another reason is that imported fabrics are quite pricy. This while most raw materials and skills are present in India. India has a large experience with weaving-technology and thus people are looking what else is needed to enter into this field of application. Traditionally, Technical Fabrics yield higher margins, but as a producer, you need advise in order to find out if this is a potential field of application for your company.

BBA member, Tractebel Engineering, one of Europe’s largest engineering consultancies, offers a wide range of engineering services for the energy sector, the industry, the tertiary sector, as well as for communities and national or international organizations. Tractebel Engineering has signed an important contract in India. Indian Gas Limited has entrusted a consortium including Tractebel Engineering and other Belgian companies, such as G-Tec, FITA and Logistics in Wallonia, with the study of a master plan for the development of the port of Manappad, at the far south of India. It involves gathering the basic information, drawing up the traffic and capacity forecasts, determining the works schedule and the phases of the project and lastly designing the infrastructure plans of the port and the terminal. The new port should be operational in 2012. Click here for more info on Tractebel Engineering pvt. ltd.
This and more new items related to the international endeavors of Belgian companies can be read in the publication ‘Belgium Unlimited’ (click on title of this news item, and jump to the economy & business section).

New Delhi, September 11, 2009: BBA member, Crystal Hues Limited, an advertising and translation company, launched a unique awareness campaign ‘Wash Away H1N1′ to generate awareness of H1N1 at Nehru Place, the largest commercial center in Delhi. H1N1, a fast spreading flu virus in India is expected to lead to explosive casualties in the coming months.
As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, Crystal Hues Limited undertook this campaign to generate awareness on preventive care, symptoms and institutions to approach for H1N1 testing and cure. Parkland Hotels & Resorts, a chain of premium hotels in Delhi providing 5-Star luxury comforts at Budget hotel costs, supported this campaign.
The information on H1N1 virus is based on guidelines given by World Health Organization (WHO). “Crystal Hues Limited is the first corporate body which had approached WHO seeking their advice to undertake an awareness campaign on H1N1 virus”, said Dr Khanchit Limpakarnjanarat, Regional Advisor, Communicable Disease Surveillance & Response, looking after the WHO initiative for containing H1N1 spread.

On Tuesday, September 15, 2009, 09.30 am – 05.00 pm, in the Maurya Hotel (New Delhi), The International Federation of Spirit Producers (IFSP) India, with the support of US Embassy, British High Commission, European Union, OPPI, AMCHAM, BBG & SIAM, is organising a seminar on the issue of ‘Counterfeit Products & their Impact on Consumer Safety’ (more details below). For more details about the program, please contact Mr. Ajay Gupta, Brand Protection Coordinator IFSP India, directly at ajay@ifsp.in.