On 23 March 2010, 10 business agreements were signed between India and Belgium based companies. The agreements between companies from the two countries cover sectors like logistics and infrastructure, renewable energy, transport and engineering.

The agreements include GAIL's appointment of Tractebel Engineering as project management consultant for laying 800 km pipeline from Haldia (West Bengal) to Jagdishpur (Uttar Pradesh).

The pipeline is likely to supply natural gas from the Mahanadi and KG basin to end-users in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Bihar. The 2,050-km long gas pipeline is expected to be completed at an estimated cost of Rs 7,065 crore.

In the transport sector, two Belgium based firms - Eurostation and ImmoStar - signed a partnership MoU with RITES for setting up railway projects in India and abroad.

Besides, the Sarens Group has signed an agreement with L&T for providing heavy cranes for Mangalore refinery project in Karnataka.

In the ports sector, Dredging International, Kakinada Seaports and International Seaports Dredging signed an MoU for increasing the dredging depth at the Kakinada deep water port, Andhra Pradesh, to 13.5 mtrs as well as to reclaim area.

This apart, Belgium's Soudal has set up a 50:50 JV with India's McCoy Silicones to produce and distribute products in the SAARC region under a dual brand strategy.

The agreements signed also included a dealership pact between Zingametall and John Galt ZINGA Technologies and Vestas Hose Division.