Maharashtra government to set up varsity for courses in diamond industry

Queen Mathilde of Belgium interacts with differently-abled children during an educational event organised by UNICEF in Mumbai on Thursday. Pradip Das

In the wake of growing partnership in diamond trade between India and Belgium, the Maharashtra government has urged Belgium for cooperation in promoting a university that would impart academic and skill development courses in the diamond sector. Maharashra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao Thursday received King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium at Raj Bhawan.

During his interaction with King Phillipe, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “The state government has decided to set up a university, which would offer academic courses relating to diamond industry.” He sought the cooperation of Belgium for the project. Speaking on the occasion, Philippe said Indo-Belgium commerce was dominated by diamond trade and made up for 80 per cent of Belgium’s exports.

Stressing on consolidating the economic ties between India and Begium, he focussed on the need for diversifying the bilateral trade basket and expanding the investments.

Governor Rao called for greater cooperation between Maharashtra and Belgium in the areas of clean energy, infrastructure development, higher education, skill development and filmmaking. Fadnavis appraised Philippe about the infrastructure reforms and projects in Mumbai such as Metro, Monorail, elevated railway corridor, coastal road and Navi Mumbai Sea link and Ro-Ro services.