Port of Antwerp-Bruges strengthens trade relations with India during Belgian Prime Minister’s visit

During Belgian Prime Minister Mr Bart De Wever’s official visit to India last week, Port of Antwerp-Bruges and partners brought together Belgian and Indian policymakers and business leaders for the India-Belgium High-Level Dialogue on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement in Mumbai on September 4, 2026, to discuss the opportunities created by the FTA. The event was part of Port of Antwerp-Bruges’ ambition to further develop its trade relations with India and consolidate its position as a key gateway for the growing cargo flows between India and Europe.

Speaking to business leaders and dignitaries in the presence of Mr Piyush Goyal, Union Commerce and Industry Minister, and Mr Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, among other key dignitaries, Prime Minister De Wever stressed on India-Europe ties, strategic partnerships and trade amid global protectionism, noting that “pressure creates diamonds” and urged stakeholders to work toward a shared future via Belgian ports. 

“In a world where protectionism and economic dependencies are once again gaining ground, our country chooses reliable partners and trade that diversifies our supply chains. The free trade agreement between India and the EU gives concrete substance to that choice, but strong logistics connections are essential to turn those opportunities into reality. India is an important growth market for Belgian companies, while Belgium, with the second-largest port in Europe, offers a key gateway to the European market. Port of Antwerp-Bruges thus forms a crucial logistics bridge between India and Europe,” said the Prime Minister, who is also a member of the Board of Directors of Port of Antwerp-Bruges.

Drawing on his background as Mayor of Antwerp, he called Antwerp a “pocket-sized Mumbai”, noting both cities generate wealth through innovators and creators rather than politicians. 

Union Minister Mr Piyush Goyal outlined five major bilateral trade and economic opportunities at the India-Belgium Dialogue in Mumbai:

* India-EU Free Trade Agreement 

*  Gems and Jewellery

* Semiconductors & Technology

* Green Hydrogen & Shipping

*Defence and Advanced Manufacturing

Strategic trade partner for the port

India is an important growth market for Port of Antwerp-Bruges. In 2025, the port handled 6.3 million tonnes of goods originating from or destined for India, making it the third-largest trade partner for breakbulk and the seventh-largest for containers. Port of Antwerp-Bruges has had a permanent presence in Mumbai since 2006, and this year is celebrating 20 years of operations here.

The collaboration goes beyond cargo flows. Through its subsidiaries, Port of Antwerp-Bruges International and APEC-Antwerp/Flanders Port Training Center, Port of Antwerp-Bruges shares its expertise in areas including port management, digitalisation, nautical operations and sustainability. In addition, it is exploring investment opportunities and contributing to the further development of India’s port and maritime sector through training and knowledge exchange.

Free trade agreement as a lever

With negotiations concluded in early 2026, the India-EU Free Trade Agreement offers new opportunities for growth. Once the agreement comes into force, import duties on a wide range of goods will be reduced or abolished, and simpler Customs procedures will ensure frictionless trade. The European Commission estimates that exports of EU goods to India – worth nearly €49 billion in 2024 – could double by 2032. The sectors that stand to benefit – including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, machinery, textiles and food – are closely aligned with Port of Antwerp-Bruges’ cargo flows and industrial clusters.

How Belgium and India can capitalise on these growth opportunities was the focus of the India-Belgium High-Level Dialogue, organised by Port of Antwerp-Bruges in collaboration with other important authorities. Prime Minister De Wever held talks with representatives of the Indian government, including Mr Piyush Goyal, as well as Mr Devendra Fadnavis and representatives of the Belgian and Indian business communities. The event followed his bilateral talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 3 in New Delhi.

From dialogue to concrete opportunities

Port of Antwerp-Bruges aims to turn the opportunities created by the free trade agreement into concrete trade, investment and partnerships, further expanding its role as a logistics and industrial gateway between India and Europe. With that in mind, the port will return to India together with companies from the port community from February 1 to 5, 2027 as part of a multi-sector trade mission, informed a release.

Mr William Demoor, Chief Customer Relations Officer at Port of Antwerp-Bruges: “India has been a crucial trade partner for Port of Antwerp-Bruges for many years, and there is still a lot of potential. With our logistics and industrial clusters, our connectivity to the European hinterland, and our twenty-year presence in India, we have everything in place to support a significant part of that growth. We want to be the natural gateway to Europe for Indian companies, and the link to one of the world’s fastest-growing markets for European companies.” 

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