Kolkata, Dec 4 (IANS) Belgium has evinced interest in further boosting economic ties with India in sectors like IT, gems and jewellery, non-conventional energy sources and education.

Belgian Ambassador Jean M. Deboutte in a press meet Friday said: "We can strengthen our economic ties with India by increasing our cooperation in the IT, non-conventional energy sources and education along with gems and jewellery."

He said: "Forty percent of gems and jewellery in Belgium are imported from India and almost seventy to eighty percent Indians staying in Belgium are associated with the gems and jewellery trade."

"Around 180 Belgian companies including small and medium enterprises are operating in India. Infinity, Xsyxys and Vincke. Quite a large number of Indian companies including Videocon, TCS, ICICI Bank are doing business in Belgium," he said.

However, a handout given to the media during the programme mentioned the number of Belgian companies in India as "more than 60".

He also called for regular student exchange programmes between the two nations that would be mutually beneficial to India and Belgium.

Jean said that if the Indo-Belgian Free Trade regime comes into being then both economies will strengthen by 2012-13.

The ambassador appreciated the 8.9 percent growth achieved by India in the second quarter of 2010-11. "India is already an emerged nation. As for Belgium, if we achieve two percent growth this fiscal then it will be satisfactory for us."