Interview: Belgium eyes closer financial cooperation with China: finance minister

Belgium is expecting closer cooperation with China in financial areas, including within the framework of the Asian Investment Bank for infrastructure (AIIB), Belgian Finance Minister Johan Van Overtveldt has said.

He made the remarks during an interview with Xinhua.

Describing the China-proposed AIIB as "a good initiative," he said, "it is absolutely necessary that one restarts infrastructure investment and this is certainly something that will help many countries to develop this type of investment."

The minister said investments, not only in Asia but also in Europe, are not only good for the short-term economy, but also for decades to come, noting that there is a "huge" demand for improved infrastructure such as roads, railways, and canals.

The creation of Brussels as a financial centre is an important goal for Belgian government, and the presence of Chinese businesses here is much appreciated, said Overtveldt.

Belgium is a "very open" country in trade and finance, Overtveldt said, adding that the Chinese economy is also "very open," and China is a "very important" economic and financial partner for Belgium.

He noted that two major Chinese banks, namely the Bank of China (BOC) and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), have already set up branches in Brussels. The Chinese insurance group Anbang last year bought the insurer Fidea Antwerp and the Belgian subsidiary of the Dutch group Delta Lloyd. All these developments add to the richness of all that Brussels has to offer, said the minister. Enditem