Philippe and Mathilde's Economic Mission to India; March 12-17, 2005

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Prince Philippe presides a Belgian trade mission to India, starting on 12th of March 2005.

His wife Mathilde accompanies him and has her own program.

For both of them, it isn't their first visit to India since Philippe also lead other trade missions to this country, and Mathilde travelled India when she was still a student.

And finally, the couple spent a part of their honeymoon in India...

 

[Cathérine Bergeyck]

Prince Philippe of Belgium to lead trade mission to India
[size=-2]14.02 IST 10th Mar 2005

By Agencies

[/size]Crown Prince Philippe of Belgium will lead a 250-member strong high-level business delegation to India to explore joint venture and investment avenues in the country.

The mission, which will tour India for eight days beginning Saturday, includes Princess Mathilde of Belgium, Marc Verwilghen, the Belgian Federal Minister for Economy, Energy, Foreign Trade and Science Policy and Mrs. Fientje Moerman, Vice Minister-President of the Flemish Government.

Besides, 186 businessmen representing 126 companies interested in investing in India or trying to get a partner for joint venture are members of the delegation, sources said.

About 30 to 35 officials from various administration and agencies and media men accompanying Prince Philippe shows the Belgian government's keen interest in boosting trade and economic links with India.

The mission is visiting New Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai and Pune.

The vast market available in India has prompted the industrialists to venture for a new trade mission. They are very much interested in investing in IT sector, biotechnology, food processing, steel, high technology and textiles, the sources added.

 

[Hannelore]

This mission will end on the 19th.


It seems Mathilde isn't in India yet (she often leaves earlier -a day or so- or arrives later so she can be a bit longer with the kids).

Here are the first pics from Filip in India


1.Prince Philippe listens as minister Marc Verwilghen speaks as they visit the Qutab Minar Complex in New Delhi, 13 March 2005. Philippe, who will be accompanied by Princess Mathilde has started a seven day official visit to India during which they will meet with India's President and Prime Minister and visit the cities of Bamgalore and Bombay in addition to India's capital.

2&3. Prince Philippe listens to an official of the Archeologial Survey of India speaking about restoration work as he visits the Qutab Minar Complex in New Delhi.

8. "Mathilde, come and save me !!"
Prince Philippe is watched by media representatives as he stretches his arms around an iron pillar during a visit to the Qutab Minar Complex in New Delhi, 13 March 2005.

 

[Hannelore]

Prince Philippe takes his seat as he arrives to attend a meeting prior to a reception at the Belgian Ambassador's Residence in New Delhi, 13 March 2005, marking the twentieth anniversary of the residence.

Prince Philippe speaks with architect Satish Gujral and his wife Kiran during a reception at the Belgian Ambassador's Residence in New Delhi.

 

[Mette2]

At this link from VRT there's a video and a piece of text about the trip to India so far:

http://www.vrtnieuws.net/nieuwsnet_master/default/nieuws/overzicht/050313india/index.html

Btw great pictures, thanks for posting them and I look forward to see more from the trip.

 

[Danielle]

India: Belgium Crown Prince arrives

10 Hours,46 minutes Ago
[India News]: New Delhi: Crown Prince Philippe of Belgium arrived here today on a week-long visit to India, leading a high-level Economic Mission.

This is the third visit of the Crown Prince to India, the earlier visits being in 1995 and 1998.​

Crown Prince Philippe is accompanied by Princess Mathilde, several ministers and representatioves of 126 Belgian companies.

The Crown Prince will tomorrow call on President A P J Abdul Kalam while Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat will host a banquet in his honour in the evening. He will also have meetings with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh, Finance Minister P Chidambaram and Minister of Commerce and Industry Kamal Nath. The Crown Prince will attend a Business Luncheon meeting organised by Confederation of Indian Industry.


The Crown Prince will also visit Bangalore and Mumbai between March 15-19 during which he will have meetings with State Government officials and interact with trade and industry.

The programme in Bangalore includes Joint Business Luncheon meetings organised by Bangalore Chamber of Commerce and Industry and visits to HAL, ISRO and a number of private companies.


In Mumbai, he will participate in a Business Luncheon meeting organised by FICCI and Flanders Investment and Trade and in a business interactive session organised by the Belgo-Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

According to an external Affairs Ministry release, the Indo-Belgian relations have been traditionally warm and friendly.

They are based on rich cultural heritage and commitment to common values of multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multi-linguistic society and democracy. There is considerable mutual interest of trade and business. Bilateral relations are underpinned by strong mutual interests in trade and investment. Belgium is India’s second largest trade partner in the European Union.
http://www.keralanext.com/news/readnext,1.asp?id=148351&pg=2

 

[Dennism]

8. "Mathilde, come and save me !!"
Prince Philippe is watched by media representatives as he stretches his arms around an iron pillar during a visit to the Qutab Minar Complex in New Delhi, 13 March 2005.

"Mathilde, come and save me !! I knew we´d be popular but not this popular!"

 

[HMQueenElizabethII]

Thanks for pictures everybody.

 

[paulette]

where's CP Mathilde?

 

[agisele]

i can't wait to see Mathilde in India, i hope that there will be plenty of pictures of her taking part in cultural activities, similar to that of their trip to China a couple of months ago.

 

[Hannelore]

1&2.prince Philippe with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during a meeting in New Delhi, 14 March 2005.

3. with Indian Finance Minister P.Chidambaram

6.Prince Philippe pays his respects to the father of the Indian nation, Mahatma Gandhi by laying a wreath at Smriti Gandhi (Gandhi Memorial) in New Delhi, 14 March 2005

 

[HMQueenElizabethII]

Thanks lots for photos Hannelore.

 

[Hannelore]

1. Prince Philippe and Minister for Economy and Trade Marc Marc Verwilghen (L) flank India's Minister of Commerce and Industry Kamal Nath (C) at a Confederation of Indian Industry meeting in New Delhi, 14 March 2005.

2. speech

3&4. Prince Philippe shakes hands with Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam prior to a meeting at the Presidential Palace in New Delhi, 14 March 2005.

5. Philippe shakes hands with Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh

6. Prince Philippe speaks with the Chairperson of India's UPA government and Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi

9. with Indian Vice President Bhairon Singh Sekhawat.

 

[Hannelore]

More pics from today. Filip met with the crème de la crème of the Indian politics


I believe Mathilde will be present tomorrow as well, to add a bit of glamour (and the socio-cultural part of the agenda) to this heavy business trip.

 

[pdas1201]

Prince Philippe with Union Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath during a business session in New Delhi.

Later, the Prince visited "The Gandhi Smriti", the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi.

 

[pdas1201]

Actually, there is a popular belief that anyone who stands with his back to the pilar and encircles it with his arms is bestowed with good luck.

More photos of Philippe during the visit to the Qutab Minar on March 13, 2005

 

[pdas1201]

Set 2
Visit to the Qutab Minar

 

[Monalisa]

Monday 14 March 2005, Philippe who is accompanied by Princess Mathilde has started a eight day official visit to India during which they will meet with India's President and Prime Minister. Crown Prince Philippe of Belgium will lead a 250-member high-level business delegation to India to explore joint venture and investment avenues in the country. EPA/STR

 

[leon]

Today...

Source: Polfoto

 

[Hannelore]

From yesterday's business meetings

 

[Hannelore]

Princess Mathilde has arrived!!

Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde hold their tickets before boarding a metro train in New Delhi, 15 March 2005.

 

[Hannelore]

Belgium's Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde speak with Director Rolling Stock of Delhi Metro Satish Kumar (L) as they ride in a metro carriage in New Delhi, 15 March 2005.

 

[Hannelore]

1. Princess Mathilde is welcomed by Indian Congress Party Senior Leader Oscar Fernandes to a luncheon meeting in New Delhi, 15 March 2005.

2. Belgium's Princess Mathilde listens to Indian Congress Party Senior Leader Oscar Fernandes as he speaks at a luncheon meeting in New Delhi.

 

[Hannelore]

1.Prince Philippe is welcomed by Chairman, CII International and Chairman and Managing Director Triveni Engineering and Industries limited Dhruv M. Sawhney during a India-Belgium CEO's meeting in New Delhi, 15 March 2005.

2.Prince Philippe looks at AIDS/HIV posters prior to an India-Belgium CEO's meeting at the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) headquarters in New Delhi.

 

[Hannelore]

Belgium's Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde pose for photographers prior to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing ceremony between the Archaeological Survey of India and Belgian company Janssen Pharmaceutical in New Delhi, 15 March 2005. The MOU has identified the Hampi Temple Complex and Tipu Sultan's Palace in the southern state of Karnataka as those to be protected.

 

[Hannelore]

Prince Philippe speaks with former President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Sudh Bhargava prior to a India-Belgium CEO's meeting at CII headquarters in New Delhi.

 

[Hannelore]

Indian models display handcrafted diamond jewellery from ORRA at a fashion preview in Bombay, 15 March 2005. Belgian company ORRA-part of the world's largest diamond manufacturing company Rosy Blue, will showcase their dazzling display of handcrafted diamond jewellery at a fashion show 17 March, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Belgo-Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry(BICCI) which will be attended by the Belgian royal couple Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde.

Woudn't it be great if Mathilde could borrow some of this jewelry for the gala night...

 

[HMQueenElizabethII]

Really lovely,thanks so much for pics.

 

[Hannelore]

Prince Philippe with Union Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath during a business session in New Delhi.

Later, the Prince visited "The Gandhi Smriti", the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi.

Thanks for the pics, and a very apropriate avatar I must say

 

[Monalisa]

INDIA-BELGIUM-POLITICS-PHILIPPE:


Belgium's Prince Philippe looks at AIDS/HIV posters prior to an India-Belgium CEO's meeting at the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) headquarters in New Delhi, 15 March 2005. Philippe who is accompanied by Princess Mathilde has started a seven day official visit to India during which they will visit the cities of Bangalore and Bombay in addition to India's capital.