Antwerp Port offers consultancy services to Indian ports

Visakhapatnam, Aug 17 (PTI) The Antwerp Port Authorityof Belgium has offered its consultancy services to Indianports for improving their inland waterways. "In India, the ports are not well connected to thehinterland by inland waterways. In this area we can offerconsultancy services to Indian ports," said Chief CommercialOfficer of Antwerp Port Authority Luc Arnouts here today. He was addressing a press conference where Ambassadorof Belgium to India Jan Luykx was also present. "Antwerp Port has gained great expertise in improvinginland waterways. More than 30 per cent of its cargoes reachAntwerp port through such waterways, where logistics cost ischeap," Arnouts added. He said a delegation from Belgium, led by itsAmbassador to India, visited the Visakhapatnam Port Trust(VPT) and its facilities here. Arnouts said he was impressed with the facilities atthe port and added in future Antwerp Port and VPT wouldcooperate to forge close ties. Stating that relations between India and Belgium wereexcellent, Luykx said his country was first to recognise Indiaafter its independence. He said Belgium wanted to improve trade ties withIndia, especially with the States located on the east coast.PTI COR RSY UZMBAS