Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Belgium Grace Asirwatham met with Carl Decaluwé, Governor of West Flanders Province in Belgium on 03 March 2020 at the Governor’s Residence in Brugge.
During the meeting the Governor explained the economic significance of West Flanders Province in Belgium and highlighted the presence of large number of industry leaders known for world class production and processing of fish, meat, vegetables and grains. The Province is also home to one of the largest textile clusters in Europe. The Governor who is also the Chair of The Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) said that VLIZ had concluded bilateral cooperation agreements with several countries in the field of coastal and marine scientific research and suggested exploring such opportunities with a relevant institution in Sri Lanka.
As a pioneer in offshore wind energy, the West Flanders Province houses the blue energy cluster of Belgium and the Province is further exploring the prospects of creating wave and tidal energy. The discussion between the Governor and Ambassador centred on possible cooperation with Sri Lanka in the areas of trade, investment, blue energy and maritime research. In this regard, the Governor’s office offered to arrange further meetings with interested companies in the blue energy constellation in West Flanders and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of West Flanders (VOKA) which represents more than 3400 entrepreneurs in the Province for developing direct business connections with Sri Lanka.
