16th Session of the Joint Economic Commission between India and Belgium Luxembourg Economic Union

16th Session of the Joint Economic Commission between India and Belgium Luxembourg Economic Union

16th Session of the Joint Economic Commission between India and Belgium Luxembourg Economic Union

The 16th Session of the Joint Economic Commission (JEC) between India and Belgium Luxembourg Economic Union (BLEU) was convened in New Delhi on 17th September, 2019.

The Session was co-chaired by Anup Wadhawan, Commerce Secretary with Ms. Sylvie Lucas, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Luxembourg.

The session was attended by officials of Department of Commerce and Promotion of Industry & Industrial Trade, Ministry of AYUSH, New & Renewable Energy, External Affairs, Information and Broadcasting and Railways.

The delegation from Belgium was led by Ms. Anick Van Calster, Director General for Bilateral Affairs, Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation.

India and BLEU side reiterated the importance of the JEC towards the development of bilateral economic and trade relations through facilitating dialogue and enhancing cooperation on a wide range of issues of mutual interest, such as, transportation and logistics, renewable energy, aerospace and satellites, audio and visual industry, agro and food processing industry, life sciences, ICT, traditional medicine, Ayurveda and yoga, and tourism.

JEC Sessions are convened based on an agreement signed in 1990 in New Delhi. This biennial event is organized in the capital cities of the three countries alternatively, and is a main vehicle for discussing economic and commercial issues between India and BLEU.

Joint Economic Commission between India and Belgium - Luxembourg Economic Union (India-BLEU) was established in 1997 and is the main vehicle for discussing bilateral economic and commercial issues.

The focus of bilateral relations has been on trade and investment. India is Belgium’s second export destination and fourth largest trade partner outside the European Union with a significant contribution from the Indian diaspora.