Belgium’s Princess Astrid arrived in Australia on Friday with a delegation of 315 representatives on an economic mission scheduled to last until 28 October.
Australia may be almost 14,000 kilometres from Belgium, but its market of 25 million consumers makes it an “important economic partner in the Asia-Pacific” and a “land of opportunity,” according to the Foreign Trade Agency, which organised the mission in cooperation with the Foreign Affairs Department, the Walloon Export and Foreign Investment Agency (Awex), hub.brussels and Flanders investment & trade (FIT).
The island-continent boasts the world’s 12th-largest economy, and has enjoyed virtually uninterrupted growth for three decades. Last year, within the European bloc, Belgium was Australia’s fourth largest customer and fifth largest supplier, with a trade balance of €667.9 million.
The economic mission to the regional hub is strategic in many respects, especially as a free-trade agreement between Canberra and the EU is currently being negotiated.
Over the course of the week, the Princess will take the Belgian trade delegation to the country’s two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne, in the south-east. Together, these economic and academic powerhouses are home to over 10 million Australians.
Related News
- Princess Astrid outfitted by Brussels designers on Senegal visit
- Belgian Princess Maria Laura marries William Isvy
- Belgian monarchy costs €3.3 million more because of inflation
- It’s not just the statues, Belgium must atone for what it did in Congo
The Belgian princess is accompanied by Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib, Brussels Minister-President Rudi Vervoort, Walloon Economy Minister Willy Borsus and Flemish Finance Minister Matthias Diependaele.
The delegation also includes representatives of around 100 companies, industry federations and universities.
The mission is an opportunity for Belgian companies to forge new business relationships in Australia, through B2B meetings, and to showcase their success stories “Down Under.”
Ceremonies commemorating the First World War are also planned in both cities.
