\'Indian companies contribute to our economic prosperity\' - German Minister

Mr.Tarek Al-Wazir, Minister for Economics, Energy, Transport & Regional Development for the state of Hesse, Germany, was speaking at the India Business Forum event on the topic \'Indo-German Economic Partnership: The Way Ahead\', organised by the Indian Consulate in Frankfurt together with FrankfurtRheinMain GmbH on May 7. As the Keynote speaker, Minister Al-Wazir emphasized the contribution made by Indian companies to the economic prosperity and high levels of employment in the state of Hesse and was happy to point out that Hesse had the largest Indian business community in all of Germany. He assured that one of the goals of his government would be to support the growing bilateral trade ties of the state with India. \'India in Business\', a publication of the Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India, was launched at the hands of the Minister on this occasion.

It was the first major event of the newly established India Business Forum, an initiative of the Indian Consulate in Frankfurt,that aims to enhance Indo-German economic ties by bringing together Indian entrepreneurs, professionals and businessmen on a common platform. The event was well-attended by Indian and German businessmen, entrepreneurs, professionals, students, consultants as well as representatives from law firms, government organizations and Chambers of Commerce.

Consul General of India Mr Raveesh Kumar elaborated on the aims and objectives of the India Business Forum, which was formally launched in January earlier this year. Ambassador Vijay Gokhale, while underlining the strategic partnership between India and Germany, enumerated the areas of manufacturing, high technology and SME cooperation as the ones to be targeted in future for realizing the true potential of the Indo-German economic partnership. He commended the India Business Forum Frankfurt initiative and was confident that it would act as the perfect platform to leverage the Indo-German economic partnership.

The speeches by dignitaries were followed by a Panel Discussion where experts from the fields of business, media and government organisations discussed the opportunities and concerns for both Indian and German investors. There was an agreement across the board that India was regarded as the future economic powerhouse in Germany. It was also emphasized that German companies in India were doing exceedingly well and this needed to be reflected in the media and public discussion more often to give the Germans a balanced picture of the country. The Panellists hoped for a stable government post-elections that would continue to lay emphasis on the Indo-German strategic partnership, to help realize the full potential of the long-standing relationship between the two countries.

The dignitaries launched, \'India in Business\', a Ministry of External Affairs Publication. From R-L: Consul General Raveesh Kumar, Ambassador Vijay Gokhale, Minister Tarek al-Wazir, Mr. Eric Menges(CEO, FRM GmbH)

Hessian Minister H.E. Tarek Al-Wazir addressing the event