December 2016 The Wallonia Patrika

> Wallonia is a region structured by comprehensive,expats efecive who truly blossomand here. About 80 Indian companies interconnected transport networks. Travelling through Wallonia, from a variety of sectors have already elected to set up a base in Belgium, is an easy passage through a territory where distance Belgium. has been abolished. Europe in concentrated form, a land of > Through its direct connecion to Brussels, Wallonia beneits contrasts where inspired locaions never end. from its close proximity and immediate access to the European > You can do business in Wallonia with a density and intensity insituions as well as the internaional organizaions and unlike anywhere else: available space, quality infrastructure, associaions located there. In addiion, this locaion at the heart a high level of skills and proximity to research centres make of Europe makes it one of the coninent’s most atracive regions, Wallonia a sustainable locaion for development and a ferile especially for distribuion centres and logisics plaforms. ground for innovaion. > In fact, Wallonia beneits from the densest road and motorway > Wallonia’s doors are open to the world, not just giving access network in Europe. In just 4 hours by road, you can reach to hundreds of millions of consumers in just a few hours, but nearly 60 million people. And in one day, an area of 370 million each year also welcoming millions of tourists, students and consumers can be reached, as well as 20 of Europe’s major ciies.

2 | www.awex.in December 2016 The Wallonia Patrika CONTENTS 4 China invests in business incubator 4 A irst for Wallonia and Europe 6 All about professional cards Editor's Note A headstart for your European plans China invests in 8 Sonaca 200 sets the standard business incubator First aircrat to be assembled in Belgium Dear Reader, 6 10 A revoluionary Fixed Training Device Venyo redeines pilot training Welcome to this latest ediion of the Wallonia Patrika newsleter. We thank you for taking the ime to read the informaion we are 11 Dedicated to excellence Meet the Belgian Flight School providing on our region and its favourable business environment. All about 12 WagrALIM fosters innovaion professional cards 2017 promises to be a historical year for our two countries. It from food 12 will mark the 70th anniversary of diplomaic relaions between Compeiive cluster dedicated to excellence India and Belgium. Our country was indeed one of the irst to recognize the newly independent India in 1947. 14 A new mulimodal logisics plaform Trilogiport at the heart of Europe In addiion, the Wallonia Trade & Investment Agency (AWEX) has WagrALIM fosters 16 Wallonia leads the way innovaion from food named India as its focus market for 2017. Such a focus market is in 3-D Prining designated each year in order to boost business ies between the A closer look at Addiive Manufacturing 16 Wallonia region of Belgium and the focus country in quesion. Numerous iniiaives will therefore be taken throughout 2017, 18 A Belgian quality label Monde Selecion recognized internaionally including trade missions to India and events to atract Indian investors to Wallonia. 20 Two Indian researchers on Wallonia leads the life in Wallonia way in 3-D Prining About 80 Indian companies have already invested in Belgium and Meet Atri and Rama Krishna are beneiing from our country’s unique geographical locaion 23 in the heart of Western Europe, as well as from our unmatched 22 A boat lit unique in its kind 73-meter height diference overcome experise in areas such as logisics, warehousing and distribuion (page 14). Companies large and small prosper in the atracive 23 An Indian castle in the Belgian iscal environment that is ours. In this issue, we provide you with Radhadesh, an Indian countryside castle in the Belgian useful basic informaion on applying for a professional card when Radhadesh temple in green surroundings countryside you start your business in Belgium (page 6).

Invesing in Wallonia also means becoming a part of a hi-tech CONTACT US environment. In the next pages, you will, for example, read about Mr. Christophe Van Overstraeten the irst aircrat to be enirely manufactured in Belgium (page 8), First Secretary – Trade & Investment as well as about our state-of-the-art pilot training technologies Wallonia-Brussels Economic Representaion (pages 10 and 11). You will also discover the unique funcioning Embassy of Belgium of the Strépy-Thieu boat lit (page 22) that operates south of Brussels. And we present you the irst Chinese incubator in 50-N Shanipath, Chanakyapuri Europe – an investment that is bound to boost business relaions 110021 New Delhi between China and Belgium (page 4).

Tel.: 011 4242 8200 Last but not least, we have featured some inspiring tesimonials [email protected] • www.wallonia.in from Indians living and working in Wallonia (page 20), as well as informaion about places that will make you feel you’re in India – Mrs. Emmanuelle Timmermans even though you’re not (page 23)! Trade & Investment Commissioner AWEX Mumbai We wish you a pleasant read and remain at your disposal for any Belgian Consulate General quesion you might have about Wallonia.

TCG Financial Centre, 7th Floor, C-53 G-Block Sincerely yours, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (E) Mumbai - 400051 Tel.: 022 2652 1025 Christophe Van Overstraeten [email protected] • www.wallonia.in First Secretary – Trade & Investment Wallonia-Brussels Economic Representaion Embassy of Belgium, New Delhi www.awex.in | 3 December 2016 The Wallonia Patrika

Welcome China!

Construction to begin in Louvain-la-Neuve, Wallonia, on China’s first business incubator in Europe.

ow do you lure more Chinese innovaion in Europe? Build Han ‘intelligence valley’ where high-tech companies can set up shop, work side-by-side with industry peers and researchers, and develop their technology for the European market. That’s the vision behind the future China-Belgium Technology Center (CBTC) business incubator in Louvain-la-Neuve, set to be ready in 2018. Building work was due to start in October 2016, several years ater Wallonia’s Export-Investment Agency (AWEX) and the Walloon Science Parks Associaion opened the China Welcome Oice in Mons and a Belgian Welcome Oice in Wuhan, to help companies expand into each other’s markets. The CBTC will do the

The aim of the CBTC is to foster commercial and technology partnerships between Chinese and ©Archipelago / Bureau Architecture Engineering Verhaegen European companies. JuXing Internaional Technology, between a European companies – consorium of the Wuhan Eastlakeparicularly in Wallonia – and Chinese Internaional Business Incubator companies," AWEX CEO Pascale (Whibi) and Wuhan TechnologyDelcomminete said in June. same on a much grander scale for Investment. "We’re all conident thatAter several years of planning, the some 200 companies acive in ields the CBTC is the best opportunityproject for is moving ahead quickly. such as green technology, electronic Chinese companies to explore commerce, and the Internet of Things the European market in a great network connecing objects like environment and ind new home and car electronics and remote THE FIGURES business opportuniies," said health monitoring systems to the Zhang MinRong, General Manager • Total investment amount: €200 Internet. Half of the companies will be of UIG Europe. million. Chinese, the other half from Europe. On the Belgian side, AWEX played • Area of business incubators + hotel: a key role in geing government 97,000 square meters. €200 million in funding support for China’s irst business • Number of companies expected: Chinese investors will provide €200 incubator on European soil. "As 200 (50/50 Chinese/European). million in funding for the project the irst Chinese technological via United Investment Group (UIG). • Jobs to be created: 1,600 (60% showcase of its kind in Europe, Belgian, 40% Chinese). Investors are the Hubei United the CBTC will ighten the bonds Development Investment Group and 4 | www.awex.in Building work will start later this year, four months ater construcion began on a public road that will traverse the enire CBTC site. It will be strategically located inside the Louvain-la-Neuve Science Park, with access via the E411 highway on one side and the naional N4 road on the other. Architecture irms from both countries are collaboraing

Proximity to the Catholic University of Louvain (UCL) will allow companies to work with the academic community. on the design and planning: from the Belgian side, Brussels’ Bureau Architecture Engineering Verhaegen.

Academic proximity a plus Most importantly, proximity to the Catholic University of Louvain (UCL) will allow companies to work with the academic community – and with each other – to test their technologies and get them ready for the market. With that goal in sight, Wuhan University ©Archipelago / Bureau Architecture Engineering Verhaegen and Huazhong University of Within the incubator, irms will Science and Technology, also in THE FACTS have access to oices, laboratories Wuhan Province, are already and a service center with rooms • What? The China-Belgium Technology collaboraing with UCL on for seminars and dining. There Center (CBTC) business incubator. research. will also be a 160-room hotel for The ulimate aim of the CBTC is to • Where? An 8.3-hectare site at Louvain Chinese visitors here on short foster commercial and technology la-Neuve Science Park. assignments as well as for the partnerships between Chinese • Who? UIG Europe. Investors are Hubai public. Companies that choose to and European companies. United Development Investment (90% set up in the incubators will also Philippe Barras, Managing shareholder) and JuXing International get business support and advice, Director of the Louvain-la-Neuve Technology (10% shareholder), an including for paperwork and Science Park, said the locaion in vestmentwas consortium of the Wuhan inding housing. chosen for three main reasons: Eastlake International Business Of the 1,600 jobs expected to proximity to Brussels, UCL’s status Incubator (Whibi) and Wuhan be created, about 60% will go to as a world-class university, and Technology Investment. Belgians and the rest to Chinese, the fact that there is already an • When? Completion scheduled for 2018. all providing a boost to the local exising science park with some economy. "The arrival of foreign 4,000 researchers acive in new A door opener for start-ups companies brings a whole new technologies, life sciences and internaional dimension to the region," Besides helping Chinese companies ICT. The CBTC will also complement a said Paul Magnete, Minister-President gain a foothold in Europe, the CBTC small community of Chinese students of the Walloon region. "That will aims to open doors for start-ups from studying in Brussels and Louvain- generate sustainable employment Wallonia and Europe in China, a market la-Neuve and will work closely with opportuniies." the China Welcome Oice in Mons. that has huge commercial potenial but is tough for newcomers to crack on (Renée Cordes) their own. www.awex.in | 5 December 2016 The Wallonia Patrika

Planning to work in Belgium ? Here’s where to start

The region of Wallonia, in Belgium, welcomes new investors and businesses on a regular basis. A pre- requisite to set up your own business in Belgium is to obtain a so-called professional card. In this article, we describe all you need to know about professional cards in order to give you a headstart in the development of your business.

oreigners who wish to work in Visa applicaions can be iled only forms and other relevant informaion. Belgium must obtain either a ater receiving conirmaion that the Foreign naionals interested in working Fwork permit or a professional professional card can be issued. in Wallonia may visit the Regional card, depending on the situaion. A Since January 2015, the applicaions Employment and Vocaional Training work permit is required by foreign for work permits and professional website for more informaion (htp:// employees, researchers or trainees cards are processed and issued by emploi.wallonie.be/en/home.html). who work under an employment contract in Belgium. Professional cards How to apply for a professional must be obtained by independent Professional cards are card? professionals or self-employers granted for a period Applicaions for a professional card who are non-EU ciizens and plan to must be submited either to a Belgian exercise a professional acivity such of up to five years. diplomaic or consular representaion as seing up a company, buying or in India or to the Belgian municipal running a business in Belgium. Such the 3 regions of Belgium. Applicants authoriies responsible for the persons must also possess a long- can visit the websites of the regional applicant’s place of residence. The iles term visa for exercising their trade. employment agencies for the required must contain the following minimum

6 | www.awex.in December 2016 The Wallonia Patrika

informaion about the applicant and de Travail” (Employment and the business that will be exercised in Work Permit Directorate). If the Wallonia: applicaion is found compliant, the professional card is issued. This • detailed descripion of the project, informaion is then forwarded to skills and experience of the the Embassy or Consulate where applicant, the applicaion was iled. Once granted, the card is sent to the • descripion of the applicant’s Enterprise Crossroads Bank when professional current aciviies, the administraion has received a • a business plan describing and copy of the applicant’s visa. Else jusifying the professional acivity the applicant may be required to to be exercised in Belgium, furnish addiional documents. If • professional references and leters the applicaion is denied, an appeal of recommendaion, may be iled within 30 days of the decision being noiied. • copies of tax returns and bank In case of refusal, the applicant may statements demonstraing reapply ater two years from the inancial soundness, date of submission of the previous Self-employed individuals must go to • a recent Police Clearance request. This reapplicaion period is not applicable if the refusal resulted an enterprise counter to obtain the Ceriicate (not older than 6 enterprise number and register with months) duly apposiled. from a decision of inadmissibility or if new evidence can be claimed or if the Enterprise Crossroads Bank (ECB). An updated complete list of required the applicaion is related to a diferent It may also be necessary to register documents can be obtained from the professional acivity. for VAT and register with a social nearest Embassy/Consulate. insurance fund for self-employed workers. The address of business in IN SHORT An agent of a company must Belgium can be the address • A work permit is mandatory for register the professional card with provided while creaing a foreign employees of a company. the Enterprise Crossroads Bank company, or the address of a • A professional card is required for via an enterprise counter. rented oice accommodaion An execuive director or a partner to be used as a temporary head independent professionals or self- employed. is only required to register with a oice. The applicant will be called social insurance fund. for an interview at the Embassy/ To set up a business in Belgium, Consulate and pay the processing How long is the professional card the company’s statutes must be fee at the same ime. The fee for registered with the Registry of the irst-ime issuance of the card, its valid? A professional card is granted for commercial court where the company modiicaion, replacement or renewal headquarters are established. The is 140 EUR (10,780 INR); the fee for maximum ive years. The irst card is generally granted for a probaionary company must obtain access to its every subsequent year of validity is 90 profession and register its aciviies via EUR (6,536 INR). term of two years. Validity of the professional card is subordinate to an enterprise counter and also register The decision for graning a professional the terms of the residence permit. for VAT. In addiion, the company card is based on the applicant’s The card is issued with authorisaion must register with the Naional Social right of residence, compliance with to exercise speciic aciviies. Fresh Security Oice if it employs personnel. the regulatory provisions and the authorisaion will be required project’s relevance to Belgium, i.e.: for any change or addiion of relevance to economic need, job acivity, or any new wordings FOR MORE INFORMATION ON creaion, investments made, etc. Itindicated on the permit. WORK PERMITS IN WALLONIA: can also be assessed in terms of social, The card may be renewed by http://emploi.wallonie.be/en/home/ cultural, arisic or athleic uility. The iling an applicaion at least travailleurs-etrangers/permis-de-travail. administraion informs the applicant three months before the card’s html by mail or e-mail of its decision. expiry date so long as the FOR MORE INFORMATION applicant is in compliance with What does the applicaion all obligaions. ON PROFESSIONAL CARDS IN process entail? WALLONIA: Files for aciviies to be based in What other administraive http://emploi.wallonie.be/en/ Wallonia are forwarded to the formaliies do you need to home/travailleurs-etrangers/carte- “Direcion de l'Emploi et des Permisget started? professionnelle.html

www.awex.in | 7 December 2016 The Wallonia Patrika

Sonaca 200: a new benchmark in pilot training

Distinctive technical expertise aided by customer focus, innovation, operational excellence, and selected partnerships hold the keys to success in the aerospace sector. Belgian company Sonaca Aircraft has been following these exact precepts. Taking into account users’ precise needs, it has created the first aircraft to be assembled in Belgium: the Sonaca 200, an aircraft designed by and for pilots.

Apart from aero-structures and TECHNICAL engineering services, Sonaca has also long been designing and SPECIFICATIONS producing the most varied space Structure: structures: satellite plaforms, The Sonaca 200 has a semi-monocoque ani-meteorite protecion aluminium structure. The fuselage, wing components and internal and tail are built in aluminium alloy, structures of the European whereas the main landing gear comprises Columbus module for the orbiing glass fibre. The two separate 70-litre fuel ISS, bale and instrument tanks are integrated into the wings. structures, etc. One of these, the ©Sonaca Aircraft carbon ibre shield of the Beagle 2 Engine: probe, even reached the surface upplying leading aircrat BRP Rotax 914 F Turbo – 115 hp 4-cylinder of Mars. manufacturers since 4-stroke liquid/air-cooled engine. Turbo more than 30 years charger with automatic waste gate control, Sonaca 200: the New One S On 16 September 2015, the Sonaca's creaion goes back as well as icing-free carburation. Dry sump Sonaca Group decided to extend to the 1970s when the Fairey forced lubrication with separate oil tank. its capabiliies through a new workshops were bought by the Fully redundant ignition and fuel supply. start-up, Sonaca Aircrat, in order state of Belgium. In 1978, Fairey's Instrumentation: to develop and cerify a two- business ceased and Sonaca was Fully equipped for night-VFR flight. seater training and recreaional created, with an iniial objecive to A classical T arrangement of primary plane. A partnership was coninue the F-16 contract. With instruments. Dashboard is equipped consequently created between a porfolio mostly dominated by with modern instrumentation including a Sonaca Group and The Airplane military requirements, the major digital engine monitoring system, artificial Factory to develop and cerify turning point came as it became a horizon and navigation aid. the new airplane, the Sonaca partner in the Airbus consorium 200. An iniial demonstraion for the A310. This marked a new Systems: model was assembled last April era into the civilian programmes. High quality strobe, navigation and landing in Johannesburg and lown from The Sonaca Group is acive in the lights on both wings equipped with there to Brussels South Charleroi development, manufacturing, electrically operated slotted flaps with 3 Airport ater an eight-day trip and assembly of advanced setting positions (0°- 10°- 30°). Toe brakes and more than 55 hours of light structures for civil, military, and steerable nose wheel. across Africa. and space markets. The Group The Sonaca 200 is a low-wing, is especially known for its wing 2,500 people including 350 engineers. full metallic aircrat with a movables experise where it is In response to strong demand from maximum take-of weight of 750 kg. regarded as the world leader serving customers, the Sonaca Group today Its convenional structure is composed most of the primes, including Airbus also supplies engineering services, of advanced aluminium alloy frames, and Embraer, with a market share of large sheet metal elements, wing stringers and sheets, which provides over 50%. It has producion faciliies planks, composite structures, and very efecive corrosion protecion. in China, Europe, North America, and machined components. The wing proile has been designed South America, and employs over 8 | www.awex.in December 2016 The Wallonia Patrika

©Sonaca Aircraft IN SHORT advanced systems such as a new for a good training and tourist aircrat. generaion 115 hp engine from The deiniion of the equipment of • Sonaca is a market leader in wing movables Rotax, with muli-fuel acceptance, the plane is being inalised, and the • Main customers include Airbus and ceriied brakes, electrical laps assembly of the ceriicaion prototype Embraer and Garmin instrumentaion. in Gosselies is scheduled for the end of • The Group has launched a new company 2016. The irst European customers called Sonaca Aircrat Meeing the growing need for should receive their ordered aircrat in commercial pilots • Sonaca Aircrat is developing its own the second half of 2017. The aerodynamic performances, 2-seater aircrat the easy-going handling capability • The Sonaca 200 is the ideal staring and reliability make the aircrat point for future pilots ideally suited for pilots’ training. The Sonaca 200 The implementaion of such a to opimize performance, while model requires uncompromising stands out thanks providing very stable behaviour at safety, efecive operaional cost, to its stunning flight low speeds. As a result of its higher robustness and reliability, advanced mass (compared with ultra-light aerodynamics and excellent customer performances, aircrat), and its eicient aerodynamic support for the training aircrat. reliability and reduced design, the Sonaca 200 exhibits very Sonaca Aircrat ofers the aviaion progressive stall behaviour, which industry exactly the same. operational cost. makes it the ideal aircrat for lightThe aircrat is characterised by schools. It is perfectly suited to both excellent handling at very low basic training and long navigaion. speed, has a good rate of climb The Sonaca 200 has a tricycle landing and excellent autonomy, with a FOR MORE INFORMATION gear with a steerable nose gear. All payload capacity of more than Sonaca Aircraft, Sonaca Group its commands are actuated through 200 kilos, including 150 litres of Tel: +32 71 25 57 61 push-rod mechanisms. fuel (seven hours of autonomy). [email protected] The Sonaca 200 is equipped with It boasts all the qualiies required www.sonaca-aircraft.com

www.awex.in | 9 December 2016 The Wallonia Patrika

Venyo: a pay-per-use model for Fixed Training Devices

Flight training for pilots is seldom complete without replicating the equations that govern how aircraft fly. A real-time aerodynamic flight model, however, might not always prove to be as cost effective. Belgian company Venyo has come up with a unique solution: a pay-per-use on-site model of flight simulator with an actual B737 cockpit.

in a real cockpit. Behind the panels everything is custom built.

Matching exact pilot training requirements game changer On a commercial level Venyo wants to In 2009, Venyo started working go a separate route. The device will not Aon a revoluionary Fixed be ofered for sale and taking advantage Training Device (FTD) prototype of a of its transportability, will not require B737NG which was revealed and made long term commitments from the its World Premiere at the Paris Air Show user. With no capital investment and in 2013. It was the very irst ime that low risk for the customer, this device the aeronauical industry was able to should atract a large spectrum of view an innovaive and fully funcional airlines. This lexible commercial light simulator operated “on site” at soluion will allow smaller companies Le Bourget airield. Qualiied as a game changer by the professional light simulators with aciviies ecosystem not only conirmed but ADVANTAGES FOR PILOTS in designing and manufacturing encouraged Venyo’s intenion to • Worldwide coverage visual and of market professional light coninue to invest and move from navaids simulators (ceriiable by EASA, concept to commercialisaion. • Full opions & always up-to-date FAA and other local CAA's). The As a result, Venyo announced its company also provides advanced • Light speed setups / Customer training for future airline transport very irst preproducion unit (in coniguraions the process of obtaining EASA pilots (MCC, JOC, TR 737, etc.) • Intuiive instructor staion ceriicaion) and demonstrated it within the framework of the new at the Farnborough Internaional • Real B737 cockpit EU regulaion (Approved Training Airshow 2014. To ensure idelity Organisaion BE/ATO-101). The and pilot acceptance, they chose company ofers full transportaion to use genuine aircrat hardware for to bring training in house, or to absorb and installaion at premises for anything that the pilot touches. From an increase in training needs without immediate on-site operaion the seats to the smallest buton, the going to the expense of a second full eliminaing set up delays or the need pilots will immediately feel they are light simulator. It enables airlines and for dedicated engineers. lying schools to only pay for the actual number of training hours they require for their pilots. FOR MORE INFORMATION WHAT VENYO DOES : Venyo Europe SA • Fixed Training Device About Venyo Tél +32 71 310 917 • Venyo Academy Venyo Belgium is an increasingly [email protected] • Venyo avionics known name in the market of www.venyo.aero

10 | www.awex.in December 2016 The Wallonia Patrika

The leading edge in flight training

It is the overall responsibility of the pilot that matters the most for the safety of the crew and passengers. Here comes the absolute necessity of consistent quality flight training dedicated to excellence. Meet the Belgian Flight School (BFS).

stablished in 1981, BFS is Belgium’s leading light training Eorganizaion for airline pilots. BFS is approved by the Belgian Civil Aviaion Authoriies (BCAA), on behalf of the European Aviaion Safety Agency (EASA), to train airline pilots according to current European regulaions. BFS has students all over the world. The new integrated programme combines the best of what Europe and the USA can ofer with a unique approach in partnership with FlightSafety Academy. It ofers a training programme that includes 90 to 900 hours of ground courses, and 45 to 210 hours of light training, spread between Florida, known for its favourable weather condiions and its open airspace, Expert instructors and staf and Belgium, known for its rigorous ACCREDITATIONS 80% of BFS ground and light weather and its complex airspace BFS is accredited by the following highly instructors are acive or reired structure. recognized agencies: airline pilots, with a light • EASA – Approved Training Organizaion (ATO) experience of thousands of hours for most of them. Their Training in muliple airports • BCAA – Flight Training Organizaion airline experience allows BFS to The BFS headquarters are located • ICAO – Listed in the Aviaion Training Directory at the airport of Charleroi Brussels- coninuously review and update SPW – South. The pilot students are • Approved “Educaion Check”programme programmes and curriculums, trained in one of the world’s most in order to meet the highest complex airspaces, almost enirely standards of the airline industry. controlled and severely organized. passenger terminal, students are • The school has its own This, combined with the challenging trained in a familiar and friendly, yet maintenance department, ensuring weather condiions, contributes highly professional environment. the highest level of safety and to the quality of training and to the In addiion, BFS has a partnership with availability of its leet. FlightSafety Academy and thus also reputaion of the school. • The BFS working philosophy is operates out of the airport of Vero Part of the training also takes based on safety, quality and Beach in central Florida (USA). place at Liege Bierset Airport, in proiciency. Eastern Belgium. This airport has 4 • BFS training programmes exceed opposite runways, fully lighted and The BFS leet The leet of airplanes consists of more the regulatory minimum equipped for instrument procedures requirement. and commercial operaions. With than 20 training aircrat, allocated modern and comfortable oices between the training faciliies in • Modern oices and classrooms, and classrooms, located close to the Belgium. These aircrat are equipped fully equipped and available 7 days for training and have proven their level a week, 365 days a year. of safety. The leet is maintained by BFS’s FOR MORE INFORMATION own approved maintenance Belgian Flight School workshop, which is approved by the Belgian and European +32 71 34 55 10 authoriies. [email protected] www.bfschool.aero

www.awex.in | 11 December 2016 The Wallonia Patrika

WagrALIM: innovation from food

Quality, diversity and innovation hold the key to the flourishing food industry of Wallonia and excellence of Belgian food products. WagrALIM, the Competitive Cluster dedicated to the food industry, is one of these centres of excellence.

country’s gastronomy ranks BENEFITS OF THE among the most diverse and WAGRALIM CLUSTER highly rated in Europe. The love he food industry, leading • Research and innovation of good food is an integral part mainstay of the Belgian • Maximum visibility of its naional culture. Being economy • Internationalisation gourmets and gourmands in T equal measure, Belgians love Belgium boasts an excepionally • Training spending ime behind the rich culinary heritage. The • Expertise and excellence network cooking stove and siing down 12 | www.awex.in December 2016 The Wallonia Patrika

to a copiously laden table in good company. So it hardly comes as a STRENGTHS OF THE surprise to ind that this fondness WALLONIA FOOD of all things “cuisine” is also relected in the country’s food INDUSTRY industry. In addiion to favourites • High productivity and availability of agro-industry. The food industry such as beer, fries and chocolate well-trained, multilingual employees; is supervised by a government established inspecion and as jewels in the Belgian culinary • A strongly performing industrial tracing system that raises Belgium crown that need no further sector whose priorities are food introducion, Belgium takes pride safety, technological development, to the top in the food safety area. in the many successful agro-food environmentally-friendly packaging In addiion, the industry largely businesses in a wide range of and sustainable industrial keeps an eye on high-quality and other subsectors. development; nutriionally jusiied producion and the impact of producion • A strong export position, thanks to WagrALIM, the agro-industry on the environment is closely the central location in a densely cluster monitored. populated wealthy part of Europe, The Walloon Region of Belgium based on an extensive infrastructure deined 6 priority areas Open to business network of ports, motorways, rail and corresponding to paricular WagrALIM lends its support to waterway links, airports and partnerships to idenify and aciviies which are developing telecommunications; globally and in which a number ind partners from the worlds of • A recognised culinary tradition, of successful Walloon companies science and industry and iniiate supported by some renowned Belgian and research centres specialise. joint projects. It also nurtures products such as chocolates, pralines, In each of these sectors, it has new relaionships by taking part biscuits, waffles and beers; created centres of excellence in clustering and networking which bring together businesses, • Availability of high-quality iniiaives. training centres, universiies (agricultural) raw materials and Project sponsors have beneited intermediary products, produced and public and private research from faciliies and skills to which locally or imported; organisaions who are keen to they could not have access get involved in collaboraive high • A proportionately high number individually. They can also be added value projects. of SMEs which operate flexibly and eligible for speciic funding for WagrALIM, the Agro-Industry efficiently. Walloon Centres of Excellence, Compeiive Cluster is a non- as well as the maximum funding for research projects (100% proit organisaion funded by To achieve these goals, sector grant for university research) and the Walloon Region. The cluster’s manufacturers have deined 3 supplementary investment grants goals include promoing cooperaion priority development areas which (maximum contribuion rate). between companies in the food are health foods / funcional Essenially, the aim is to create a industry, and boosing business andingredients, industrial eiciency network of representaives from employment in the sector by: through technological innovaion, and universiies and industries, encourage sustainability along the value chain • bringing manufacturers patent registraions, prepare (from ield to fork). together scieniic publicaions and of course • developing the spirit of Focus areas help businesses to grow and create innovaion with products and The agro-industry cluster is turning new businesses. The cluster is open technologies whose qualiies these 3 domains into areas of to Indian businesses for further meet the needs of customers excellence in Wallonia by giving breakthroughs into the European and markets businesses the tools they need to markets by expert-handholding and incorporate these strategic skills with sustenance works with its members to • improving the proitability of set their projects up. networks by encouraging their needs. The diferent projects people to work together and focusing on research/innovaion, nurture sustainability training, investment and support for export are all linked to these • increasing producion capacity 3 focus areas. These projects and the size of businesses by include health foods, nutriional WAGRALIM enhancing their place in quality, industrial eiciency, Tel +32 (0) 71 919 286 growing markets and driving packaging, and development [email protected] their sales skills and of sustainable networks in the www.WagrALIM.be capaciies.

www.awex.in | 13 December 2016 The Wallonia Patrika

Liege Trilogiport: Multimodal logistics platform at the heart of Europe

When planning to identify, assess and choose the right foreign market in Europe to pursue growth, the first thing you consider is the geographical location and connectivity to the purchasing power. The Liege Trilogiport provides just that: smooth rail-road-waterway logistics in close proximity to the EU’s main markets.

nique geographical locaion Belgium is centrally located Uin the European coninent. Its trade is the hallmark of all its aciviies that is further helped by its well- developed transportaion network and logisics infrastructure. While Wallonia, the Southern French-speaking region of Belgium, is home to the Port of Liege, the leading inland port in Belgium and the third largest European inland port. Sustained by excellent locaion and logisic infrastructure, a new development with a class of its own is the mulimodal plaform focussed enirely on logisics and managed by the Liege Port Authority. Called the Liege Trilogiport, it is all set to become a fully- ledged Logisical Village that gathers together various assets on the same 100-hectare site while accommodaing a 15-hectare container terminal. The Rhine-Schelde-Meuse basin (20,000 km2), within which the Port of Liege lies, ofers access to 60% of the European purchasing power in a radius of 500 km. An ideal locaion at the hub of the most ightly knit trio of the road-rail-river network fenced by The Netherlands, Germany and France. Direct connecions to Antwerp, Roterdam, Zeebrugge and Dunkirk make it an idyllic site for trade. The Liege Trilogiport is located at the hub of a major motorway and rail network allowing trouble-free, fast paced access to key European ciies. On top of this, the Liege Airport is at 14 | www.awex.in December 2016 The Wallonia Patrika

Partnership with Antwerp Big players A higher level of trade between The management of the container WHY THE LIEGE Europe and Asia has led to a rapid terminal at Liege Trilogiport has been TRILOGIPORT? rate of growth in sea container entrusted to: Excellent seaport connections: traic that has led to a demand forDubai Ports World, briely DP World, more routes. In order to address a branch of the holding company • Antwerp – 15h sailing this development Antwerp has Dubai World, owned by the Dubai • Rotterdam – 24h sailing naturally sought to conclude government (United Arab Emirates). • Dunkirk – 48h sailing agreements with the Port Some of of the logisical plots have been Excellent motorway and rail network: Liege, located within Antwerp'sgranted to German Deutsche Lagerhaus natural hinterland. The aim is Trilogiport Gmbh Co Kg (30 hectares), • Paris (3h30) quite straighforward: developing an integrated service provider acive • Aachen (30 min) efecive cooperaion between in the logisical real estate sector • Antwerp (1h15) the ortP of Antwerp and the Port whereas another 10 hectares in this • Brussels (1h) of Liege so as to guarantee a logisical area have been granted to seamless system of distribuion the Belgian company Warehouses De • Cologne (1h15) downstream from the port cargo Pauw. For the development and the • Maastricht (15 min) unloading system. commercializaion of its warehouses at Strategic location This is why the Antwerp Port Liege Trilogiport, Deutsche Lagerhaus authoriies joined forces with the Trilogiport GmbH appointed CETIM as Trading area: Liege Port Authority and the SPI project manager and quanity surveyor. • 56 million inhabitants in a radius of (the development agency for the The Trilogiport is ready to welcome new 250 km province of Liege) in early 2006 logisical players from all coninents to • Over 60% of European purchasing as part of an Economic Interest beneit from its cost-efeciveness and power within a radius of 500 km. Grouping (EIG) designed to further central locaion. the development and markeing If you are looking for a warehouse or a Assets of the Liege Trilogiport mulimodal distribuion centre, or if your company The same 100 hectares include: plaform. wants to establish its core aciviies in • A trimodal (waterway-rail-road) This EIG is primarily concerned Europe, Liege Trilogiport is the ideal container terminal (15 ha) with allowing Port of Antwerp place for logisics. More than 175,000 • Logistical plots with the latest customers who do not need m2 of state-of-the-art warehousing generation of warehouses (41.7 ha) a coastal wharf to become space is available! • Port plots (22 ha) established in its natural hinterland and with improving inward and • A tertiary services area (1.8 ha) outward mobility in Antwerp. • An environmental integration area The EIG also enables the (25 hectares). Liege Port Authority to FOR MORE INFORMATION: enjoy the beneits of major Liege Port Authority internaional companies www.portdeliege.be a stone’s throw with an easy access to that are drawn by the Port [email protected] the high speed train staion. of Antwerp's status and decide Tel: +32 4 232.97.97 to set up on the sites inland. www.awex.in | 15 December 2016 The Wallonia Patrika

Transition to Digital Manufacturing in the heart of Europe

Technologies such as 3-D Printing or Additive Manufacturing are increasingly being adopted across sectors. This is not surprising as they generate cost savings, mass customization, optimized design processes, and reduced scrap, among other things. As a part of the broader Industry 4.0 context, we present how Wallonia plays a leading role in this field.

e deine Industry 4.0 as the next phase in Wthe digiizaion of the manufacturing sector, driven by four disrupions: the astonishing rise in data volumes and computaional power, the emergence of analyics and business intelligence capabiliies, new forms of human-machine interacions, and improvements in transferring digital instrucions to the physical world – such as advanced roboics and 3-D Prining. Wallonia, the French- speaking region in the Southern half of Belgium, ofers a business environment that is paricularly favourable to new ideas, imaginaion and innovaion in the context of Industry 4.0.

Factories of the future Driven by the Industry and by Sirris, an R&D organizaion that is part of Agoria – the Belgian Federaion of the systemaically take up the challenges • World class manufacturing of the 4th industrial revoluion. They technologies: deploying state-of Wallonia boasts supply products with high added value the-art producion devices. and are lexible enough to respond to expertise in each of • End-to-end engineering: integrated switly changing market demands. This design approach regarding the stages of the 3-D also enables them to coninue playing processes such as sales, producion, a major role in a dynamic worldwide Printing value chain, use of virtual models and manufacturing network. Factories simulaions. from initial design to of the future fully embrace digiized finishing. producion processes. In addiion, •they Digital factory: operaional carefully handle energy and materials, processes are digiized and and maximally exploit the potenial of connected with the Internet. The Technological Industry, the Wallonia modern producion technologies. impact of diferent possible region is a resolute follower of the The manufacturing industry in decisions is gauged in advance. Belgium is undergoing the following European ‘Factories of the future’ • Human centered producion: transformaions to address the needs roadmap. Factories of the future are employees are a signiicant asset of Industry 4.0 : forward-looking manufacturers who for anchoring producion locally. 16 | www.awex.in Employee involvement in the future development of their company is crucial. • Producion network: companies evolve from being solo players into networked organizaions, where the risk and capital are shared. An opimal eco-system of suppliers and partners results in lexible collaboraive relaionships. • Eco-producion: sustainable producion systems that consider each phase of a product’s life cycle, from acquiring the materials, producion and usage, to disposing of the waste. Producion systems are able to close the materials cycle. as well as the producion cost. Time- to-market is shorter and cheaper. In By applying a gradual • Smart producion systems: capacity other words, Addiive Manufacturing to respond to rapidly changing generates user beneits as well small amount market demands, with single batch as environmental and producion of machining to producion as an ulimate approach. beneits. Manufacturing applicaions include areas such as rapid prototyping, the object that is Lighter and more complex parts rapid manufacturing, cladding, mass designed, a better A pracical illustraion of how this customizaion and cloud-based modern approach is put into pracice Addiive Manufacturing. tolerance and shape is the Addiive Manufacturing sector. can be achieved. Also known as 3-D Prining, Addiive Industry 4.0 and digiizing Manufacturing refers to various manufacturing : it’s happening and Sirris provide both Belgian and processes used to synthesize a here!three- dimensional object. 3-D Prining starts foreign companies with advanced Wallonia boasts experise in each of from a computerized model (such as insight into the world of Addiive the stages of the 3-D Prining value CAD – Computer Aided Design), then Manufacturing. chain, from iniial design to inishing. ‘cuts’ this model into virtual slices. Wallonia (located right next to The object is then built by adding Germany) ofers manufacturing ultra-thin layers of material one by ADDITIVE companies all the opportuniies one. By applying a gradual small MANUFACTURING – WHY to succeed in the transiion amount of machining to the object WALLONIA ? into Industry 4.0. Companies that is designed, a beter tolerance • Complete value chain: educaion, R&D, established in Wallonia beneit and shape can be achieved. In industry, services, … from the enire Industry 4.0 addiion, the amount of scrap thus ecosystem, including government • High added value stakeholders generated is dramaically reduced grants, R&D support, high added in comparison to tradiional • Full range of R&D incenives and value stakeholders and free access machining, where a larger block is support to the enire European market. being shaped down to obtain the • Highly skilled workforce We invite you to also be an acive desired object. • Small manufacturing series possible actor in the Industry 4.0 business 3-D Prining also enables to make environment in Wallonia! lighter parts and shapes that are increasingly complex – without losing Unique competences are on robustness. The actual number of available in various industries FOR MORE parts is also considerably reduced, that are already using 3-D INFORMATION Prining as an R&D tool and/ or a manufacturing tool. This Contact Mr. Tanguy Huybrechs-Tondreau know-how also translates into Mechanical Engineering & Advanced a strong ofering in terms of Materials Expert educaion and training in this Wallonia Region of Belgium ield. Competence centres such [email protected] as Technifutur, Technocampus

www.awex.in | 17 December 2016 The Wallonia Patrika

A Belgian quality label, recognized internationally

With nearly 3,000 products evaluated in 2016, the quality labels granted by the Monde Selection institute are seducing producers and distributors around the globe. As with the Michelin guide in which hotels are rewarded with stars, Monde Selection classifies products by granting these a bronze, silver, gold or grand gold quality label.

professional and independent jury since A1961 Monde Selecion is, since 1961, an internaional quality insitute that aims to assess and reward the quality of inished products with a quality label. To this end, the insitute can count on the collaboraion of eminent experts, oenologists, master sommeliers, Michelin starred chefs, university professors, chemical engineers, specialized journalists, members of presigious culinary academies, jury members for major internaional compeiions, etc. They are more than 80 professionals who, each in their category, evaluate, year ater year, the quality of the products. Monde Selecion also calls on the support and collaboraion of public and private insituions such as The Monde Selection Award Ceremony takes place every year in June Ceria, Insitut Meurice (famous for its brewing technique experts) or the Depending on the type and internaional consuling group Euro “Each product is characterisics of the product, one or Consultants. more of the following examinaions and evaluated on 7 to 20 analyses are done: examinaion of the From registraion to award different parameters, nutriion label, the list of ingredients, Each year, from October to January, the nutriional composiion and products are registered according to 5 and by at least 8 the user noice, sensory analyses, diferent categories: different experts.” bacteriological and chemical analyses if • Food products needed, comparison of the laboratory results and the label, comparison with • Beers, waters, sot drinks and non and evaluate the products, according the European Food Law. alcoholic beverages to the diferent categories, through The jury members pay paricular sensory analyses, labelling conformity • Spirits and liqueurs atenion to the evoluion of the veriicaion and laboratory tests. The diferent food standards of the • Diet and health products smell, the aspect, the taste, but also the European legislaion, as well as ingredients, the label, the ease of use • Cosmeic products and toiletries to the American Food and Drug and the accurate informaion available Administraion or the Japanese Every selecion has its own specialized to the consumer are evaluated for each Ministry of Health, Labour and Social jury and is presided over by a key igure product, according to its origin, on Welfare. And what is also important to that has dozens of years of experience between 7 to 20 diferent parameters Monde Selecion is how the producer at Monde Selecion. Over a 4-month and by at least 8 diferent experts. period, these professionals analyze communicates with the consumer, 18 | www.awex.in who must receive the necessary informaion to make his choice in full knowledge of the facts. Finally, scores are added up and averaged to a inal result that determines if a quality award is granted. There is no quesion of a compeiion, nor blind tasing, between the diferent products. All the products are evaluated independently from one another without any comparison whatsoever. Results are oicially announced at Monde Selecion’s Award Ceremony which takes place every year, early June, in a major European city. This year, more than 450 guests joined the ceremony which was organized in Budapest (Hungary) to receive their awards.

An internaional quality label for producers and consumers Ater the evaluaion made by Monde Selecion and according to the average of the points obtained, a quality label may be granted: Bronze for an average Monde Selection rewards the quality of finished products with a quality label minimum of 60%, Silver for 70%, Gold for 80% and Grand Gold for nutriional quality of food 90% and up. products, because you can make a This label will be authorized for MONDE SELECTION 2016 IN product that perfectly matches the display on the packaging of the NUMBERS legal rules of hygiene and labelling, product, allowing consumers to Indian companies awarded in 2016 : but that on a nutriional basis is instantly recognize the quality Amrut Disilleries Pvt Ltd, Cobra Beer unworthy. On the other hand, you of the product they are about Partnership Ltd, India Glycols Ltd, Radico can make a product with a very to buy. This quality label can be Khaitan Ltd, Som Disilleries & Breweries high nutriional quality but if taste compared to the 1 to 5 stars for Ltd is not good the consumer doesn’t hotels or the 1 to 3 stars of the Founded in 1961 purchase it. Michelin guide and determines Number of products evaluated: 2,938 Finally, we want to stress that the quality level of the product. at Monde Selecion we try to Number of paricipaing companies: 974 permanently follow up the A scieniic and legal approach Number of paricipaing countries: 84 evoluion of the legal prescripions, A scieniic and legal approach Number of paricipants at the Annual the internaional standards has been at the heart of the Award ceremony: 450 and guidelines of the Codex Insitute’s evaluaion procedures Alimentarius, the tendencies in for more than 50 years. Jury the food industry, the viewpoints President, Professor Ir. Joseph of professional organizaions and, Bessemans explains the approach for very importantly, the evoluion of food product analyses: available scieniic data. Consequently, “Our scieniic board extensively we readjust the criteria for judgment veriies the diferent aspects of the list every year, if necessary and ater of nutrients, the nutriion label, the thorough relecion.” nutriion and health claims, the descripion of the properies of FOR MORE the acive substances which are highlighted, as well as the user INFORMATION: noice. www.monde-selection.com Very much atenion is paid [email protected] to the analysis of the overall Registration: as from October 1st

www.awex.in | 19 December 2016 The Wallonia Patrika

Two Indian researchers on life in Belgium

Some 400 Indian students have currently chosen Belgium as a place for their higher studies, attracted by the stimulating environment and growing offer of courses in English. In the field of research too, our universities can count on the know-how of Indian experts. We met two of them working at the University of Liège (ULg), in the East of Belgium.

tri Bhatacharya: especially through a comparison experise of my colleagues at ULg”, elementary paricle physics of theoreical ideas with terrestrialsays Atri. “I ind them very engaging A Atri is currently a postdoctoral and relish our cofee table discussions researcher in elementary paricle about current ongoings in Physics and physics at ULg. He is originally from “The physics other related maters. In addiion, Kolkata, West Bengal, but has lived departments across the research environment is truly in numerous ciies across India and thriving.” was doing research in Tuscon, Arizona Belgian universities are Atri Bhatacharya landed up in Belgium (USA) before moving to Liege in late very well connected” ater having found an adverisement 2015. online for the postdoctoral researcher Elementary paricle physics is the posiion opening at ULg. He found science that ideniies and studies and astrophysical observaions andthe move from Tuscon rather swit nature’s consituents and interacions experiments. “I am very impressed other than the iniial hassle of inding at the most fundamental level, with the quality of faciliies and theaccommodaion during his irst weeks

20 | www.awex.in and is making the most of it. THE UNIVERSITY OF LIÈGE He studied and coninues to (ULg)… OPEN TO THE research about organizaional development, management WORLD strategy, innovaion, and ULg boasts a student body numbering entrepreneurship. Addiionally, 20,000 and a staff of 4,300 of whom he is also analyzing the role of 2,800 are teachers or researchers. innovaion and entrepreneurship The University offers enriching and in smart city buildings. He has diversified courses of study (38 been conducing his research Rama with his brother when the latter visited Liege bachelors, 193 masters, and 68 across the globe, staring advanced master programmes), is in Tokyo where he was committed to the development of associated with the RAMA KRISHNA REDDY student-centered learning, is intensely Insitute for the AdvancedKUMMITHA ID involved in international research Study of Sustainability Date of birth: 11 July 1986 programmes (especially the European of the United Naions Union's FP6 and P7 projects) and is in University. Towards the Place of birth: Kotha Reddy Palem contact with more than 600 institutions end of his stay he was village, Prakasam District, Andhra throughout the world. The University looking for opportuniies Pradesh is fully integrated into the greater to coninue such research School: local school and college European education (Bologna) and and found an opening for Master: M.Phil and Ph.D from research (Lisbon) sphere, and more a suitable posiion with Hyderabad University globally, into the main international the business school faculty Working experience: Assistant Professor scientific networks. of the University of Liège at Tata Institute of Social Sciences, (HEC-ULg). Attuned to society's needs, ULg also Mumbai and JSPS plays an important role in Wallonia He describes the Fellow, United Nations University, Tokyo as creator of new high value-added selecion process as economic activities and as coordinator being compeiive andATRI BHATTACHARYA ID was grateful for having of technological centers bringing Date of birth: 13 April 1985 together the public and private sectors. been chosen on merit. “I was impressed from the Place of birth: Kolkata, West Bengal outset by the academic School: Delhi Public School, in Liege. Once setled, Atri was able to environment at HEC-ULg”, Visakhapatnam enjoy spending more of his free ime underlines Rama Krishna. University: B.Sc. at Jadavpur University, discovering Liege and its surroundings “Thanks to the disinguishedKolkata as well as tasing local specialiies and reputaion of ULg’s business Masters at IIT Bombay grow fond of them. school, it atracts a lot of “As for some advice to fellow Indian students and researchers PhD Harish-Chandra Research Institute, researchers in the ield of physics, I from all naionaliies andAllahabad can acknowledge that the academic backgrounds to engage in Working experience: Research assistant environment is highly simulaing discussions with one another. at the University of Arizona, Tucson and aided by the fact that all the I would like to express special (USA) physics departments across Belgian graitude to my promoter, who universiies are very well connected. kept her team engaged and Moreover, I would advise one to commited to promote smart always carry an umbrella as you never ciies.” know when the supposedly pleasant “I would encourage any fellow weather may suddenly disappear”, Indian planning to move to Wallonia, adds Atri. especially for research or academic purposes, to learn French. Although it Rama Krishna Reddy Kummitha: is easy to get around, not speaking the business and social sciences language does act as a barrier towards Rama Krishna is from the small village social interacions,” notes Rama of Kotha Reddy Palem situated in Krishna. “I would also like to highlight Andhra Pradesh. He is part of the the central locaion of Belgium and irst generaion of his village to have the ease of geing around within had access to higher educaion. Rama and around the country through the Krishna recognizes this opportunity eicient railway network.” (Isabelle Willemart Khan) Atri with his laboratory colleagues

www.awex.in | 21 December 2016 The Wallonia Patrika

A boat lift unique in its kind

At Strepy-Thieu, boats of up to 1,350 tons use a lift to overcome a 73-meter height difference. Surprising, clever and well worth a visit!

a canal that included 2 locks and 4 also open to the public and has been hydraulic lits was built and opened turned into a tourism atracion. One in 1917 for luvial navigaion of boats may visit the lit from inside and out. under 300 tons, but it was in need An entry icket gives you access to a of an upgrade to allow access to boat ride during which you have the larger barges, precisely those up to privilege to either ride up, or down 1,350 tons, which was also the new the lit and along the canal bridge. European standard. Thus the Strepy- The ride takes about an hour but Thieu lit was built as part of a post you pass the 73.15 meters in all but 2nd World War project to standardize 7 minutes! For the other way, a mini luvial navigaion systems across tourist train takes you around the Europe. valley, and back to the lit. Following The topography of the region the boat ride, you then have access features high diferences in levelsto a small cinema hall to view a short across a small area. The lit wasdocumentary an on the construcion he funicular boat lit of Strepy- outstanding innovaion to overcomeof the lit. This takes place on the 8th Thieu is located in the region this problem and this masterpiece loor of the building, very close to the T of La Louviere, some 60 km to took a total of 20 years to design and top and mouth of the canal bridge. the South-West of Brussels. This lit build. It was completed in 2002. From this height, you have access to is one of the most remarkable works an amazing 180-degree view of the of Belgian luvial engineering. Unil An instrucive day out region. There is also a quiet cafeteria recently, it even held the record of The huge lit now stands at a soaring for those in need of a drink by this being the highest boat lit in the 102 meters high and the top is point. Addiionally, you have a view on world. equivalent to the size of a footballall the internal mechanisms of the lit The lit is a major enabler of eicient ield. The lit allows for the boatswith the diferent winches, suspension transport across Europe, allowing for to surpass a 73.15-meter height cables and the counterweights only a direct connecion between France diference, therefore single-handedly separated by thick glass windows. and Germany for barges weighing up replacing the previous locks and Alternaively, you can also book to 1,350 tons. Since the 19th Century, hydraulic lits while meeing thea special boat, most popular for the link between the Meuse and needs of current and future trade business events and family funcions, the Schelde rivers by means of a navigaion. Noteworthy: the lit is free whereby you have a longer boat ride navigable waterway has been vital for all boats. but also are served a meal and drinks for the economic development of The lit not only serves the purpose along the way. the province of Hainaut. Previously, of enabling luvial transport but is (Isabelle Willemart Khan) www.voiesdeau.hainaut.be 22 | www.awex.in December 2016 The Wallonia Patrika

Radhadesh, an Indian castle in the Belgian countryside

Visiting Radhadesh is like finding a little India in the heart of the Ardennes hills, where kindness and devotion are a priority for harmonious living. hen traveling through the castle which encompasses the the bouique is Govinda’s restaurant, the winding roads of the altars with the main deiies. Thethat serves strictly vegetarian thalis WArdennes, in the South of daily programme includes Puja and cooked in a Vedic style. The servings Belgium, along small villages, woods Kirtan along with other prayers and are generous and when the weather and pastures, one comes across the services. The grounds of the castle permits, one can enjoy their thali on castle of Peite Somme near Durbuy. house a permaculture garden but it is the beauiful exterior terrace. The castle dates back to the 11th not big enough yet to feed the enire The complex also has a 15-room century. It was demolished in 1877 community. guesthouse and a fully equipped and rebuilt in a neo-gothic style. It This castle and its spiritual community conference room for devotees and also served as a hospital during the atract many tourists. Visitors are visitors. The guesthouse is the busiest 1st World War and housed Americans welcomed and are recommended to around fesival seasons. Throughout during the 2nd World War. take part in a guided visit of the castle the year, the Radhadesh community Since 1979, it accomodates the in order to grasp the essence of the celebrates a series of fesivals and welcomes both devotees and visitors. spiritual community of Radhadesh. Hare Krishna movement. The tour Finally, Radhadesh also ofers courses The new residents have thoroughly includes a visit of the castle and the and academic degrees in Theology and renovated the castle and transformed Museum of Sacred Art which aims at Religious studies and in Management it into a spiritual oasis. The community promoing devoional and spiritual art. with an emphasis on conscious encompasses about 120 members The irst gallery hosts an exhibiion leadership. from 25 naionaliies. Some memberscalled ‘Living Tradiion of Indian Art’ If you ever ind yourself missing India live in the castle while others reside and the second gallery an exhibiion while in Wallonia, a visit to Radhadesh in the nearby surroundings. Most of on Madhubani Art. temple is highly recommendable! the Internaional Society for Krishna The complex also houses a bakery and (Isabelle Willemart Khan) Consciousness (ISKCON) communiies ofers a selecion of freshly worldwide speak the respecive local baked breads, pastries, cookies, language(s). However, English is the jams and even laddus! FOR MORE main language in Durbuy but French Next to the bakery is a bouique INFORMATION: and Dutch are also spoken. stocked with a wide range of Chateau de Peite Somme Indian products ranging from Peite Somme, 5 Prayers, gastronomy and culture texile and jewelry to books 6940 Septon – Durbuy The main temple is located within and CDs. Moreover, beside www.radhadesh.com

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