Belgium to expand consular presence in India

Belgium is hopeful of setting up its Consulate General in Chennai before the end of this year, reports The Hindu. A visit to New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai by a large business delegation headed by the Prince Philippe is also set to take place in November, said Karl Van den Bossche (pictured left), Consul General of Belgium in Mumbai. To cater to the growing demand of Belgium-bound travellers in the South of India, Belgium has extended its visa service centre to southern India, with two new centres in Hyderabad and Chennai. Announcing the launch at a press conference today, the Consul General said the intention was to bring the service close to the public and business community, to enhance user friendliness. “With the help of these centres, we will strive to return passports within three working days,” he said. In 2012, nearly 34,000 visa applications were received from travellers in southern and western India by the Belgian Consulate in Mumbai. The increase over the last few years in Belgium-bound travellers has encouraged the new initiative for expansion in the region, he said.