“FICCI VP to lead delegation to Hannover Messe”

At a time when India and Germany are orchestrating a paradigm shift in their bilateral economic relations highlighted by increasingly diversified cooperation, a high-powered FICCI CEO's delegation is set to visit Germany to participate in the prestigious Hannover Fair to be held from April 12-17, 2015.

The world renowned engineering and technology fair will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. "The importance of the FICCI delegation to Hannover Messe 2015 is underscored by the sheer opportunity it presents for Indian companies to reach out to global business and technology leaders to seek technology collaborations, business tie-ups and enhance India's capabilities in global trade. India needs to find its place at the global high table of economic deals. It is an idea whose time has come," said Harshavardhan Neotia, Senior Vice President, FICCI and Chairman, Ambuja Neotia Group.

The 45-member delegation comprising senior industry leaders and members of FICCI Secretariat will be led by Neotia and will have companies mainly from the renewable energy sector and in the urban development space. This is in sync with the importance being given by the NDA Government to development of clean energy and sustainable development of cities with focus on water, transport and waste management. These are among the potential areas of cooperation between India and Germany, others being manufacturing, infrastructure, IT, ITeS, biotechnology, auto components, green technology, entertainment and vocational education and training.

The initiative is timed suitably to add to the momentum generated in the ties between India and Germany in the last few years and that has evolved into a strategic and global partnership. Germany is India's largest trading partner in European Union and 6th largest trading partner globally. Germany is also India's 2nd largest technology partner. For the period April 2000 to January 2015, Germany has been the 8th largest investor with cumulative FDI inflows of USD 7.34 billion. Today there are around 1500 German firms present in India, creating over 2,00,000 jobs.

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