Belgium Prince meets President Patil

New Delhi, Mar 23 (ANI): Prince Philippe of Belgium, who is presently on a state visit to India to cement bilateral ties, met President Pratibha Devisingh Patil here on Monday.

The Prince, who arrived here on Saturday with a large mission including Princess Mathilde and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Steven Vanackere, also met Vice-President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

This is the fourth such Belgian trade and industry delegation visiting India.

Belgium has emerged as one of India's most important trading partners in the European Union (EU).

Belgium is presently India's third most important European trading partner. Total bilateral exports between both the countries exceeded 8.8 billion Euros in 2008.

Trade in gems and jewellery constitutes about 75 percent of the bilateral trade.

Belgium has emerged as the 21st largest investor in India and the 9th largest within the European Union.

Belgium is the prime logistical hub for Indian goods traded with Europe. A number of Belgian firms are involved in development of infrastructure for ports, roads and railways in India.

Both India and Belgium have bilateral treaty to avoid dual taxation, a bilateral investment treaty, a cooperation agreement in the area of science and technology, and transport agreements. (ANI)