VISAKHAPATNAM: The Government of Flanders, one of the three Federated States of Belgium, is keen on helping investors from India in general and Andhra Pradesh in particular, according to its Bangalore-based Trade Commissioner, Jayant Nadiger.

"With technology transfer and research and development as its focus areas, the Flanders Government has established Flanders Investment and Trade (FIT) as a nodal agency responsible for export of Flemish technology, products and services," he told The Hindu .

Sectoral strengths

Listing the sectoral strengths of Flanders in the field of pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals -- Antwerp is the second largest petrochem hub in the world -- bio-technology, logistics, shipping, dredging, post-harvest technology, food processing, marine food, fast moving consumer goods like mirrors, glassware and beer, information technology (including niche areas like speech technology), Internet security, semiconductors, precision manufacturing and engineering, environment technologies, financial services and fashion, Mr. Nadiger said the FIT would be interested in facilitating the growth of Indian units in these areas.

"We can help in the establishment of units in India by Flanders' investors and vice versa," he said and added that all services were free.

He also invited prospective entrepreneurs to take advantage of FIT's services.

Mr. Nadiger, was recently here on a three-day exploratory visit, can be contacted by dialling 098450-40697 or by by e-mailing to flanders@bgl.vsnl.net.in.

He said FIT would be interested in associating itself with upcoming projects in Visakhapatnam like seafood units, pharma city and apparel complex.

He revealed that the Flanders Government had entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Union Ministry of Shipping to develop maritime industry and trade, and hinted at the possibility of extending assistance to the National Ship Design and Researach Centre here.

The economy

The economy of Flanders, which is Flemish speaking, is the richest of the three Federated States of Belgium, the other two being Walloon (French speaking) and Brussels (mutlilingual). Highly export-oriented, the region contributes 80 to 85 per cent of the country's GDP, ranking No.3 in exports, after Hongkong and Singapore.

Since the establishment of the Trade Commission in Bangalore in 1999, it had helped in setting up Creax Information Technologies Private Limited (Bangalore), Curans IT India Pvt. Ltd. (Chennai), Xsysys Technologies (Bangalore), Jan De Nul Dredging India Pvt. Ltd. (Bangalore and Chennai), Value Source Technologies (Chennai), Capco IT Services Pvt. Ltd. (Bangalore) and De Lekkerbek (Bangalore). In addition, Worldwide Diamonds in Visakhapatnam Special Economic Zone, two units in Kerala and one in Pondicherry had been facilitated by the Trade Commission, he added.

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