India has a long way to go in establishing a mature collection services industry. The collection business needs to be regulated and empowered with legal powers to become an effective tool. Already, there is awareness in the country that court dependant recovery is an inefficient way of debt collection. Alternative solutions have emerged recently and specialised debt collection services are gradually becoming available. The recent creation of Assets Reconstruction and Securitization Companies under the SARFAESI Act is definitely a step in the right direction for recognising debt collection as an independent and specialised business function.
In this context, we have invited BLS Detectives Ltd. and Trustman to explain to the audience how far they can assist small, medium and large size companies in the collection of debt within the existing legal framework.

During the Belgian Economic Mission led by HRH Prince Philippe Crown Prince of Belgium and presided by HE Mr. Steven Vanackere, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Belgian Luxembourg Business Association (BLBA) established in New Delhi signed an agreement with Belgo-Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BICCI) with its base in Brussels to help each other in promoting business links, economic cooperation and two-way trade between Belgium and India. The two organisations strongly believe that the partnership agreement will serve the interest for both parties. For BLBA …

On Tuesday, March 23rd 2010, BLBA members were invited to a seminar ‘India: Doing Business Practically’ organized by Flanders Investment & Trade, in close cooperation with the Belgian-Luxembourg Business Association and the Belgo Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry. A large number of Belgian company delegates partaking in the Belgian Crown-Prince led Economic Mission to India attended this seminar. Topics covered included ‘Exporting to India’, ‘ICT in India’, ‘Market Access & Customs in India’, ‘Opportunities regarding Investing in India’ ‘How to cope with cultural differences in doing business in India’. …

On February 19, 2010, the Belgian-Luxembourg Business Association, New Delhi (BLBA), the Indo German Chamber of Commerce (IGCC) & KPMG organized a seminar on Recent Changes in the Social Security Regime for Foreign Nationals & how will it affect cross-border employment – the case for Europe and India.
The seminar focused on providing information on recent changes in the social security regime for foreign nationals in India and in Europe. Ms. Shilpa Patankar, Senior Manager Tax Department, BSR & Co, provided a general overview of the social security regime in India and also specifically covered aspects relating to Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg , the Netherlands and Switserland, based on the social security agreements (SSA) signed between India and these three countries. Mr. Filip Saelens, Partner Loyens & Loeff Belgium, focused on how the New European Social Security Regulation, which will enter into force as of May 1st, 2010, will affect cross border employment.

BLBA is happy to announce the following event initiated by BLBA member, Ankur Jain, from Cerana Imports. We are looking forward to seeing you there.

End your week with a Belgian Happy Hour! Let your guard down, mingle, network and then sample some delicious craft beers from Belgium – the land of fine beers and brewers! Taste the prized Trappist Beers (brewed by Monks!), Farmhouse beers and other fine brews. There will be a special nibbler menu as well as discounts and offers on the beers.
Date: First Fridays of Every Month, between 6 and 9 pm. The next event will be on a Friday, March 5th.

In the past month, BLBA has met with Belgium-based Belgo-Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Luxembourg-based Indian Business Chamber of Luxembourg, and Mumbai-based Indo-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce and Industry. These three business organisations all promote trade development between Belgium/Luxembourg and India. At these meetings, it was decided to work more closely together. The four organisations will keep their respective members abreast of upcoming events and will give them an opportunity to attend these events. In March, during the trade mission of the Belgian Crownprince to India, BLBA and BICCI will …

On Saturday, December 5th, 2009, the Belgian-Luxembourg Business Association (BLBA) – formerly the Belgian Business Association (BBA) – organized the BLBA Annual Charity Fundraising Dinner to celebrate BBA’s 10th anniversary and the formation of the BLBA at the Residence of H.E. the Ambassador of Belgium. Celebrated musician/composer couple Shubhendra and Saskia Rao and dance performer Yamini Reddy brought their the program ‘Moods and Melodies’, a kaleidoscopic view of different moods evoked by the Classical arts of India through music and dance. Proceeds of the BLBA charity dinner went to the Ursuline Sisters of Tildonk (New Delhi Chapter), who do pioneering work in the field of education, empowerment, and welfare of tribal girls…

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.

On Friday, September 18, 2009, from 7.00-9.30 pm, BBA, with the support of AB Inbev, organised a Belgian Beer Night at Ivy Bar. Participants met old, mingled with new, and got to know potential BBA members. More than 70 people attended this event. Cover charge was Rs. 600 (including Stella Artois Draught and Hoegaarden, appetizers and finger food). Pictures below.

All BBA members are herby informed that the next Annual General Meeting of the Belgian Business Association shall be held on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 7.00 pm in the India Habitat Center (Conference room ‘Amaltas’). A notice with agenda and relevant documents were sent to the members by e-mail. For more information, please contact Nathalie De Spiegeleire at info@bbanewdelhi.org.