Consulate General of Belgium in Mumbai

HRD Antwerp Education is now in India 🇮🇳 From Antwerp’s centuries-old legacy of trust in diamonds to building the next generation of industry standards, HRD Antwerp has trained over 240,000 professionals worldwide. Education has always been central to how credibility is created, not just measured. The launch of the education centre in Mumbai marks a strategic step, recognising India’s growing role not only as the world’s diamond processing hub, but as a market where consumer trust and knowledge matter more than ever. The inauguration was attended by Paul De Wachter - CEO, Stanley De Belie - COO and Philip Baeten - CFO, alongside the India leadership Ramakant Mitkar, Chandrakant Narkar and Anand Gusani - HRD Antwerp. Joining the leadership team were Eva Verstraelen, Trade Commissioner, FIT - Flanders Investment & Trade, and Frank Geerkens, Consul General, Consulate General of Belgium in Mumbai.

HRD Antwerp strengthens its educational footprint with the inauguration of a new facility in Mumbai HRD Antwerp has officially inaugurated its new education facility in Mumbai, reaffirming its long standing commitment to professional education and capacity building within the Indian diamond and jewellery sector. The opening took place during the first official visit to India of CEO Paul De Wachter who was joined by COO Stanley De Belie CFO Philip Baeten. Located in Bandra Kurla Complex, one of Mumbai’s key business districts, the new facility marks an important step in the growth of HRD Antwerp Education in India. It reflects the organization’s strategic focus on supporting the next generation of industry professionals through high quality training, internationally recognised standards, and direct engagement with local markets. The inauguration was also honoured by the presence of Frank Geerkens, Consulate General of Belgium in Mumbai underscoring the importance of international cooperation and the strong ties between Belgium and India within the diamond industry. Mehul N. Shah, Vice President of the Bharat Diamond Bourse also attended the event, highlighting the close collaboration between HRD Antwerp and key institutions of the Indian diamond ecosystem. The initiative was led in close cooperation with HRD Antwerp’s India team, including Managing Director Ramakant Mitkar, Sales Director Chandrakant Narkar, and Global Education Manager Anand Gusani, whose leadership and local expertise have been instrumental in strengthening HRD Antwerp’s educational presence in the region. With this new education facility, HRD Antwerp further reinforces its role as a global authority in diamond education, while deepening its engagement with India as one of the world’s most influential diamond centres. #HRDAntwerp #Education #India #DiamondGrading

🎄✨ 𝗜𝗕𝗟𝗖𝗖𝗜 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 | 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 ✨🎅 What a wonderful way to wrap up the year! The 𝗜𝗕𝗟𝗖𝗖𝗜 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 brought together over 𝟭𝟰𝟬 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 for an evening filled with festive cheer, lively conversations, and great company—truly celebrating the spirit of the IBLCCI community. We were honoured by the presence of 🇧🇪 𝗛.𝗘. 𝗔𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗿 Didier Vanderhasselt 🇧🇪 𝗛.𝗘. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 Frank Geerkens, Consul General of Belgium in Mumbai 🇧🇪 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 Mario Engels, Belgian Defence Attaché to India, along with members of the Belgian diplomatic network in India. ✨ The evening sparkled with a captivating Deepak RAO. ( ESP ) Extra Sensory Perception performance, a fun-filled raffle draw, and a vibrant Christmas Market featuring Swasthya Swaraj & MANT, Ashmit M. (@𝘁𝗵𝗲_𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘆), and Native Tongue. 🎤 A big festive thank you to our emcee, Sheila Quadros, for bringing energy, warmth, and sparkle to the evening. 🎄 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗳𝗲𝗹𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀: 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱: Dentons Link Legal | 𝗦𝗶𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗿: HSBC | 𝗚𝗶𝗳𝘁: Two Brothers Organic Farms® 𝗖𝗼-𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀: Solvay, Umicore, Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Transcon Freight Systems Pvt Ltd, CKB Group As we sign off on a joyful festive season, we thank our members, partners, and the Governing Committee for making it truly memorable. ✨ 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆, 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱! #IBLCCI #ChristmasSocial #FestiveSeason #Community #Networking #IndiaBelgiumLuxembourg

𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗴𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗕𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗶𝗲𝘀 Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB) hosted a distinguished Belgian delegation on 3rd December 2025, further strengthening the longstanding Indo-Belgian partnership in the global diamond trade. The delegation was led by H.E. Ambassador William Asselborn (Director, Asia & Oceania – Ministry of Foreign Affairs Belgium), Brigadier General Mario Engels Defensieattaché at Belgische Defensie (Defence Attaché), Hon’ble Frank Geerkens (Consul General, Mumbai), Ms. Eva Verstraelen (Trade Commissioner, FIT - Flanders Investment & Trade Investment & Trade), and Mr. Filippe De Potter (Director, Asia-Pacific – FIT - Flanders Investment & Trade Investment & Trade). They were welcomed by BDB Vice President Mehul Shah, The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (India) Chairman Kirit Bhansali, Mr. Saunak Parikh (Vice Chairman, GJEPC), and members of the BDB Board, along with invited representatives from The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (India), MDMA, HRD Antwerp, and IGI - International Gemological Institute India. The visit began with a ceremonial Guard of Honour by the BDB Security & Fire Safety Team and the national anthems of India and Belgium performed by the BDB Brass Band. This set a dignified tone for focused discussions on enhancing bilateral trade, exploring potential free-trade pathways with European countries, and facilitating long-term visas for diamantaires travelling to Belgium. Ambassador Asselborn responded positively to BDB’s strategic suggestions, reaffirming Belgium’s commitment to deeper cooperation. The delegation toured BDB’s world-class infrastructure, including a visit to the MDMA hall, where they interacted with its leadership. Hon’ble Consul General Frank Geerkens praised BDB’s infrastructure and professional security standards. The visit underscored BDB’s commitment to global collaboration, responsible trade, and world-class standards — reinforcing its position as 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝. #BharatDiamondBourse #Belgium #IndiaBelgiumRelations #DiamondIndustry #GlobalTrade #TradeDiplomacy #InternationalRelations #EconomicCooperation #SustainabilityInDiamonds #BusinessLeadership [Indo-Belgian partnership, trade diplomacy, global diamond industry, business mobility, industry collaboration, strategic engagement.]

JNPA was honoured to host Mr. Frank Geerkens, Consul General of Belgium in Mumbai, and Mr. William Asselborn, Director – Asia & Oceania, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Belgium. They were welcomed by our Dy. Chairman, Shri Unmesh Sharad Wagh, IRS, along with JNPA HoDs. The delegation was briefed on JNPA’s operations, key initiatives, and the upcoming Vadhvan Port through a detailed presentation. They also visited the JNPA-APEC Training Centre to experience our state-of-the-art capacity-building and skill development ecosystem. #JNPA #Belgium #PortDevelopment #MaritimeRelations #APEC #VadhvanPort #TradeFacilitation #PortLeadership #JNPort Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (India) | Ministry of Foreign Affairs Belgium | Embassy of Belgium in New Delhi | Frank Geerkens | William Asselborn