Belgium India Creative Association- BICA

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Belgium India Creative Association- BICA

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The Belgium India Creative Association (BICA) is a dynamic group fostering cultural exchange and creative collaboration between Belgium and India.

BICA seeks to inspire cross-cultural dialogue, support emerging talents, and build a vibrant community. At the Belgium India Creative Association, we believe in the transformative power of collaboration and innovation. Our mission, captured in the phrase "Bridging Cultures, Building Creativity," is to unite diverse cultural identities and inspire fresh, inventive ideas that transcend boundaries. Who We Are
We are a platform dedicated to fostering meaningful connections between Belgium and India through art, tradition, and creative expression. By celebrating the richness of our shared and unique heritage, we aim to promote mutual understanding, respect, and inclusivity. What We Do
Bridging Cultures: We celebrate diversity by connecting people, ideas, and traditions, showcasing the best of Belgian and Indian cultures. Building Creativity: Through collaborative projects, events, and workshops, we empower artists, innovators, and enthusiasts to create something truly extraordinary. Our Vision
We envision a world where creativity knows no borders and cultural exchange sparks innovation. By uniting communities, preserving traditions, and encouraging forward-thinking collaboration, we strive to leave a lasting impact on individuals and societies alike. Join us on this journey of cultural harmony and creative growth, where every connection inspires something new.

30/10/2026

EU–India: From Trade Ambition to Innovation and Investment

On 29 October 2026, the Belgium–India Creative Association (BICA) brought together policymakers, business leaders, researchers and industry representatives in Brussels to explore the next chapter of EU–India cooperation.

With bilateral trade in goods reaching approximately €118 billion in 2025, the relationship is already substantial. The EU–India Free Trade Agreement offers significant opportunities:

• Full or partial tariff liberalisation covering 96.6% of EU exports to India by trade value.
• Liberalisation covering approximately 99.3% of Indian exports to the EU by trade value.
• The potential to double EU goods exports to India by 2032.

Following welcoming remarks by Rakesh Kapila, Founding President of BICA, the forum was moderated by Vidhya Sampath.

Our thanks to the distinguished speakers: Asim Anwar (Embassy of India); Geoffroy Gueyffier (European Commission, DG Trade); Erika Staël von Holstein (Re-Imagine Europa); Edith Nordmann (Netherlands India Chamber of Commerce & Industry); Tej Paul Bhatla (FICCI); Renaat Schrooten (FPS Economy Belgium); Prof. Dr. Johan Stiens (VUB/FACT); Hemakiran Gupta (Tata Consultancy Services); and Jan Luykx (former Belgian Ambassador to India/Egmont Institute).

Respecting the Chatham House Rule, the following themes are shared without attribution:

• Beyond tariffs: administrative complexity, non-tariff barriers and professional mobility remain essential challenges, particularly for SMEs.

• Complementary strengths: combining Europe’s research and technological expertise with India’s talent, manufacturing capabilities and market scale can accelerate innovation.

• Strategic opportunities: semiconductors, medical technology, AI, renewable energy, ship recycling, electric mobility, aerospace, defence and circular economy solutions offer scope for deeper cooperation.

• Belgium–India partnerships: the longstanding diamond relationship provides a foundation for expanding collaboration into advanced technology and sustainable industries.

• Urgency and focus: as the United States and China advance rapidly, Europe and India must accelerate joint research, help start-ups scale and bring competitive technologies to market.

A central message emerged: a trade agreement alone is not enough. Business depends on people, trust and mutual understanding. A shared vision must connect trade with research, education, sustainability and investment.

Thank you to all our speakers, moderator and participants for a valuable afternoon of discussion and networking.

BICA remains committed to turning dialogue into meaningful partnerships. The next chapter must be defined by action, collaboration and measurable results.

27/10/2026

Event Programme & Joining Instructions- “Leveraging the EU-India FTA”| 29 Oct 2026 |Hof Ter Musschen, Brussels

Thank you for registering for the high-level discussion on Leveraging the EU-India FTA: From Agreement to Opportunity, organized by the Belgium India Creative Association (BICA) and supported by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). We look forward to welcoming you on Thursday, 29 October 2026.

Event Details
Date: Thursday, 29 October 2026

Time: 15:00-20:00 CET (registration from 15:00)

Venue: Hof Ter Musschen, Brussels

Programme

15:00 - 15:30 Registration

15:30 - 15:40 Welcome by Rakesh Kapila, Founding President, BICA

15:40 - 16:10 Opening Perspectives: The Next Chapter in EU-India Relations

· Asim Anwar, First Secretary (Commerce), Embassy of India

· Geoffroy Gueyffier, Trade Coordinator for India, DG Trade, European Commission

16:10 – 17:00 Panel Discussion I: Unlocking Trade, Investment and Business Opportunities

· Erika Stael von Holstein, Co-Founder and Chief Executive of Re-Imagine Europa (RIE)

· Edith Nordmann- Chairman, Netherlands India Chamber of Commerce & Industry (online)

· Tej Paul Bhatla- Head, International Affairs FICCI (online)

· Asim Anwar, First Secretary (Commerce), Embassy of India

· Geoffroy Gueyffier, Trade Coordinator for India, DG Trade, European Commission

17:00 – 17:20 Keynote by Renaat Schrooten- Director General, DG for Economic Analysis and International Economy, FPS Economy, Belgium

17:20 – 18:10 Panel Discussion II: Innovation, Sustainability and Talent for the Next Phase of EU-India Cooperation

· Prof. Dr. Johan Stiens- Director, VUB & Founder- Flemish Alliance for Climate Technologies (FACT)

· Hemakiran Gupta- Head of Sustainability Services, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)

· Jan Luykx- Former Belgian Ambassador to India & Senior Associate Fellow, Egmont Royal Institute for International Relations

18:10 – 18:25 Closing reflections

18:25 – 20:00 Networking Reception

Joining Instructions

Kindly arrive between 15:00 and 15:30 to collect your name badge at the registration desk.
Approximately 30 parking spaces are available at the venue. Additional street parking and a nearby Q-Park facility are also available. We recommend allowing extra time for parking and registration.
We look forward to welcoming you for an engaging discussion on the future of EU-India cooperation and the opportunity to connect with fellow stakeholders from across the EU-India ecosystem.

For any questions, special requests, or accessibility requirements, please contact us at [email protected], or +32 497 93 96 49.

Best regards,
Team BICA
Belgium India Creative Association (BICA)
Bridging Cultures, Building Creativity
www.bica.eu.co

27/09/2026

🪔 ART INDIA – BRUSSELS DIWALI FESTIVAL 2026 🪔

24 & 25 October 2026 | Atomium, Brussels

Dear friends,

BICA is delighted to be a partner of Art India for the Brussels Diwali Festival 2026, and we are very happy to extend our full support to Art India and its team for this wonderful initiative.

Now celebrating its 10th edition, the Art India Brussels Diwali Festival will take place on 24 & 25 October at the Atomium, with two days of culture, food, festivities, dance, music and fireworks.

Diwali is a celebration of light, happiness and togetherness, and we particularly appreciate the spirit behind this event: bringing the Indian community together while also reaching out to all the different communities that make Brussels so special. We warmly encourage you to come with your families and friends and enjoy this celebration together.

I would also encourage our businesses, entrepreneurs and professionals to participate. There are opportunities to support the event through sponsorship, company visibility, stalls and other activities. If you would like to participate or promote your business, please feel free to contact “The Art India team” to discuss the different possibilities.

As a partner, BICA is proud to support Art India and wishes the entire organising team every success. We encourage our members, friends and the wider community to join us and make this a wonderful celebration of light, friendship and togetherness.

Looking forward to seeing you there.🪔✨

Rakesh Kapila

President, BICA
On behalf of the BICA team

Art India – Brussels Diwali Festival 2026⁠

https://diwali.artindia.be/nl/partners/

04/09/2026

🇧🇪🇮🇳 A New Chapter in Belgium–India Relations

The Belgium India Creative Association (BICA) warmly welcomes the Belgian Prime Minister’s visit to India and the continued strengthening of the relationship between our two countries.

This visit comes at a particularly important moment, with the evolving EU–India trade relationship creating new opportunities for cooperation and investment between India, Belgium and the wider European Union.

The potential extends far beyond trade. Belgium and India have much to gain from deeper collaboration across healthcare and life sciences, technology and AI, semiconductors, defence, clean energy, logistics and ports, research and innovation, education, entrepreneurship, the creative industries, arts, culture, fashion, design, film and tourism.

Belgium brings world-class expertise in innovation, research, pharmaceuticals, logistics and creative industries, while India represents one of the world’s most dynamic economies, with remarkable entrepreneurial, technological and creative energy.

At the heart of this relationship are also the people and communities connecting our two countries. The growing Indian community in Belgium, together with Belgians engaged with India, provides an important bridge for cultural understanding, professional collaboration and new ideas.

At BICA, this is precisely what we seek to encourage: bringing people together, celebrating the richness of both cultures, fostering creativity and creating meaningful connections between Belgium and India.

We welcome this renewed momentum and look forward to seeing the Belgium–India relationship continue to grow — economically, culturally, creatively and, above all, through stronger connections between people.

🇧🇪🤝🇮🇳 Two countries. Many opportunities. One growing partnership.

The BICA Team
Belgium India Creative Association

04/09/2026

BICA Welcomes a New Chapter in India–Belgium Relations

The Belgium India Creative Association (BICA) warmly welcomes the renewed momentum in relations between India and Belgium following the recent high-level Belgian visit to India.

The commitment of both countries to deepen cooperation across trade and investment, technology and innovation, healthcare and life sciences, clean energy, education and advanced industry reflects the growing strategic importance of the India–Belgium partnership.

India and Belgium bring together highly complementary strengths. India is one of the world’s most dynamic and rapidly developing major economies, while Belgium, situated at the heart of Europe, is an important centre for international trade, logistics, innovation, healthcare and advanced industry. Closer cooperation therefore offers significant opportunities for businesses, entrepreneurs, researchers and the next generation of professionals in both countries.

At BICA, we particularly welcome the ambition to strengthen bilateral trade and investment and to create more direct opportunities for collaboration between Indian and Belgian enterprises.

We also believe that the relationship between our two countries extends far beyond economics. The Indian community in Belgium has an important role to play as a bridge between India and Belgium — connecting people, businesses, institutions and cultures, while contributing actively to Belgian society.

As India and Belgium move towards 80 years of diplomatic relations, this is an important moment to transform longstanding friendship into an even stronger partnership for the future.

BICA remains committed to supporting this journey — fostering dialogue, creating connections and building lasting bridges between Belgium and India.

Belgium India Creative Association (BICA)
Building Bridges. Creating Opportunities. Connecting Belgium and India.

03/09/2026

Heartfelt condolences to victims of Nepal tragedy 🙏

15/08/2026

Happy Independence Day 🫡🇮🇳🫡

Today, as India celebrates its Independence Day, I’m reminded that true independence is also a state of mind — the freedom to think beyond fear, prejudice and the boundaries that divide us.

Many sacrificed so that we could inherit freedom. Our responsibility now is to use that freedom to bring people closer, not push them apart.

Be proud of where you come from, but remember that our belonging can be bigger than any border. We belong to our countries, but we also belong to one world and, ultimately, to one humanity.

When we grow together, the world grows with us.

Happy Independence Day 🇮🇳 — and here’s to independent minds, open hearts, and a world that stands together. 🙏

15/08/2026

Happy Independence Day 🫡🇮🇳🫡

28/06/2026

On 21 June 2026, BICA – Belgium India Creative Association was honoured to celebrate International Yoga Day 2026, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds in the spirit of health, harmony, and unity.
The positive feedback we have received inspires us to continue organising meaningful initiatives that bring our community together through culture, health, creativity, and friendship.
Thanks to everyone who made International Yoga Day 2026 such a memorable success. We look forward to welcoming you all at our future BICA events.

26/06/2026

On 21 June 2026, BICA – Belgium India Creative Association was honoured to celebrate International Yoga Day 2026, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds in the spirit of health, harmony, and unity.

On behalf of BICA, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who joined us and contributed to the success of this special event. Thank you to all our participants, volunteers, members, supporters, and friends whose enthusiasm and positive energy created such a wonderful atmosphere.

A special word of appreciation goes to Mr. Shubrit Walia for inspiring yoga session and sharing his knowledge and passion with all participants. My heartfelt thanks also to Ms.Brigitta Gitaji Callens for her valuable collaboration and continued support in making this celebration truly memorable.

I would also like to acknowledge the support of the Embassy of India and everyone who worked behind the scenes to ensure the smooth organisation of the event.

International Yoga Day, celebrated across the globe, reminds us that yoga is far more than physical exercise—it is a way of promoting peace, balance, well-being, and mutual understanding among people and cultures. We are proud that BICA can contribute to this global movement while strengthening the friendship between Belgium and India.

The positive feedback we have received inspires us to continue organising meaningful initiatives that bring our community together through culture, health, creativity, and friendship.

Thank you once again to everyone who made International Yoga Day 2026 such a memorable success. I look forward to welcoming you all at our future BICA events.

With warm regards and Namaste,

Rakesh Kapila
President
Belgium India Creative Association (BICA)

🌐 www.bica.eu.com
🌐 www.lamaisonpure.be

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https://www.bica.eu.com/

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