In view of the growing trade between Belgium and Pune,the counsul general of Belgium decided to open a visa issuance centre in the city,which was inaugurated by Karl Van den Bossche on Tuesday. Speaking about the decision to open the centre,Bossche said a large number of Indian visitors to Belgium were from Pune. Last year,we had issued 35,000 visas,of which 10,000 were from Maharashtra. Pune and the surrounding region constituted 45 per cent of the applicants, he said. A majority of the applicants were from the business community,with Boscche pegging the Indo-Belgian trade at Euro 13 billion. Diamonds,chocolates,automotive parts,bio technology and logistics formed a significant part of the trade. The centre in Pune,which will be operated by VFS Global,will issue long term,multiple and short term visas. For companies that have established trade relations,the Counsulate will issue special fast track visas,within 24 hours. Other than business,Bossche said Belgium would be interested in getting students and investments in the educational sector from Pune. The DY Patil educational institution has started operating an international school in Brussels. We are on the look out for tie ups with universities in the area in order to form strategic partnerships. Compared to the educational costs in the UK and other countries,Belgian institutions are much more affordable, Bossche said. With Pune and surrounding regions having investments from 70-80 Belgian companies,Bossche expressed hope for more investments. However,he said bureaucratic red tapism was a major issue faced by companies desirous of investing in the region. A pharmaceutical company,had been trying to set up a shop in the region for the past two years,but lack of basic infrastructure has been an impediment, he said. Bossche added that he had to take up the matter with the principal secretary of the chief minister to allow investments.
