KOZHIKODE: South Indian states have a huge potential to do business with Flanders (the Dutch speaking part of Belgium), Trade and Investment Commissioner of Flanders Jayant Nadiger, said. In an interview with DC, the Commissioner, who is in charge of the South Indian states, said that the Malabar region had the potential to co-operate with Flanders in diverse fields including solid waste management, inland water transport, food processing etc. He was in the City to explore business possibilities between Flanders and the Malabar region and for an interaction with businessmen organised by the Malabar Chamber of Commerce.
“Flanders is known for its cutting edge technologies and there are opportunities for co-operation in diverse fields. We (Flanders Investment and Trade) help to bridge the gap between Indian investors and Flanders by extending all possible help including advice and guidance, visa related issues, work permit, registration, taxes etc,” he said. Mr Nadiger added that many Indian companies had started their operations in Flanders and many Flemish companies were already running their operations successfully in many south Indian cities. “In Chennai, there is a hospital-bed making unit by a Flemish company and in Bangalore many IT firms are working. A joint venture is also happening in Cherthala in Alappuzha,” he added.
He added that he would get in touch with the government and local body officials in order to pursue more advancement. “One of the major strengths of Flanders is the solid waste management area and the region can really help the City in co-operating in that field,” he said. “India in general offers a good co-operative model which we can really make use of. However the most important thing is the feasibility. There should be an understanding about the benefits of accepting certain technology and a realisation that it would have a positive impact in the long run. Media can play a big role in this regard,” the Commissioner opined.
