India-EU FTA key to boosting India-Belgium economic ties, says Piyush Goyal

Goyal expressed his gratitude to local leadership for their hospitality and highlighted the future potential of the regional partnership.

"My sincere thanks to Minister-President Flanders Matthias Diependaele @MDiependaele and Minister @AnnickDeRidder for hosting us," Goyal said on X. "The India-EU FTA presents a significant opportunity to elevate India-Belgium economic ties. Look forward to greater collaboration with the Flanders region in trade, investment, and innovation."

Goyal is on a two-day visit to Belgium from July 14 to July 15, during which he will engage in meetings aimed at strengthening India's trade and investment partnership with the European Union.

Earlier on Tuesday (local time), the Union Minister held a series of high-level meetings with European Union Commissioners and Belgian Deputy Prime Minister David Clarinval, discussing ways to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, clean energy, trade, investment and sustainable industrial development as India and the European Union seek to deepen their strategic economic partnership.

Goyal said he met European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen and discussed expanding collaboration in the agri-food sector following the successful conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

"Held a fruitful meeting with Mr. Christophe Hansen, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food. Building on the successful conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, we discussed avenues to further deepen our agricultural partnership by strengthening resilient agri-food value chains, enhancing food security, supporting farmers & promoting sustainable growth," Goyal said in a post on X.

In another meeting, Goyal held talks with the European Commissioner for Climate, Net-Zero and Clean Growth, Wopke Hoekstra, focusing on enhancing cooperation in climate action, renewable energy and green technologies.

"Glad to meet EU Commissioner for Climate, Net-Zero and Clean Growth, Mr. Wopke Hoekstra. We exchanged views on strengthening India-EU cooperation in clean growth, climate action and sustainable industrial development," Goyal said in another post.

"Our discussions focused on expanding collaboration in renewable energy, green hydrogen, clean technologies, innovation, investments and resilient value chains to support our shared net-zero ambitions," he added.

The Commerce Minister also met Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Employment, Economy and Agriculture, David Clarinval, to discuss expanding bilateral economic cooperation.

"Had an excellent meeting with Mr. David Clarinval, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Employment, Economy, and Agriculture of Belgium. We discussed expanding India-Belgium cooperation across trade, investment, technology, logistics and workforce mobility. We also exchanged views on the transformative potential of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement and reaffirmed our shared commitment to further strengthening economic ties for the mutual benefit of our businesses and people," Goyal said in a separate post on X. (ANI)