Industry keen to join the new investor friendly India's journey to become a global manufacturing hub
As the curtains come down on the world's largest industrial fair at Hannover, the official Partner Country's call to make in India will continue to resonate worldwide galvanizing its resurgent position as an investment and manufacturing hub.
Living up to the hope of "opening many more doors" as envisaged by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi's in his inaugural address on evening of April 12, the past five days at Hannover Messe not only saw the 'Make in India' movement take a global dimension but also paved the path for several new investment avenues and stronger economic engagement with India.
The fair, where India has been granted the coveted Partner Country status, was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India along with the German Chancellor. With the 'Make in India' theme splashed all over, the Indian presence is pre-dominantly visible all over the ground and the city of Hannover.
An environment of enthusiasm, promising exchange of ideas and investment in the new resurgent India prevailed at the India Pavilion that was crafted to portray the economic potential of the country's most fertile sectors—biotechnology, renewable energy, space, IT & BPM, industrial corridors and smart cities, wellness, and the demographic dividend it aims to reap. A positive revivalist fervor prevailed as senior Indian government officials and business leaders reached out to representatives of German and European industries and technology institutions to ink MoUs aimed at scaling up the country's manufacturing.
A number of agreements/MoUs and business deals were concluded during the Hannover Messe 2015. A list of MoUs and agreements is at Annexe 1.
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 delegation from India visited Germany and participated in the prestigious Hannover Fair 2015; over 400 companies spread across 10 sectoral halls; 6 Government of India Ministries/Departments participating through 6 seminars; 14 state governments participating through 6 seminars; and over 120 top Indian CEOs. Well-known industry leaders and policymakers, along with apex national level industry organizations came together to forge new relationships underscoring the sheer opportunity Hannover Messe 2015 presented 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.
In order to facilitate progressive dialogue between India and Germany, the Indo-German Business Summit on the April 13, 2015 served as a discussion forum for CEOs from both nations. Both Mr Modi and Dr Merkel addressed this summit that was attended by top Indian and German industry leaders such as Cyrus Mistry, Chairman Tata Sons, Baba Kalyani, CMD, Bharat Forge Ltd and Joe Kaeser, President Siemens. These business leaders explored the possibilities of India's economic interactions with Germany's industrial prowess, while posting strong reasons to invest in India.
Reflecting on the India's role this year at Hannover Messe, as the most significant international statement the Make in India program has made to date, PS Gangadhar, First Secretary, Economic & Commercial, Indian Embassy Berlin said during the Closing Press Conference "India's participation as the Partner Country in Hannover Messe 2015 has put India back on the minds of German and Global investors and business community. We have presented the strengths of Indian economy and opportunities therein at the Hannover Fair. We hope that our efforts will lead to increased business collaboration with German companies and European partners"
The India Pavilion, depicting the magnitude of the nation's potential as a manufacturing and investment partner as well as advancements across industrial sectors on the bedrock of its rich culture and idiom, served as a perfect setting for 12 seminars on topics ranging from Renewable Energy, Smart Cities to Heavy Industries and Skill Development. In addition to the Indo-German Business Summit several presentations and cultural shows punctuated the past five days of the trade fair. India's participation at Hannover Messe 2015 is a clear signal to friends, partners and investors across the world that it's time to Make in India.
www.hannovermesse.de
