The outlook confirms India's emerging role as an attractive investment location for German companies. The overall reports from the German- Indian Business Outlook 2024 have been positive and it displays a streak of progression throughout the years. There are high expectations regarding the increase of revenues and profits in 2024. Together with a strong trend towards rising investments in the next five years, India is seen advantagous over other Asian countries with respect to consistently strong economic growth, availability of well- educated English- speaking specialists, low labour costs. Included in GIBO 2024 is the growing importance of India as a sales market as well as a location for production and shared service centres. Already cited as a sales market today by more than one- quarter of respondents (27%), surveys indicate a further increase by 13%- points to 40% in India. The main areas of investment in India in the short and the long term are respectively digitalization of internal processes artificial intelligence, algorithms and machine learning. The macroeconomic overview reports substantial growth of foreign trade. Bilateral trade in goods between Germany and India in 2023 exceeded the record figure of the previous year. Trade volume increased by 5% compared to 2022 and amounted to EUR 30.8 billion. To have a look at the complete GIBO 2024, go to GIBO 2024 .
Eknath Sonawane, a young adult from Jalna district of Maharashtra, now works as cell leader in the Production department of Endress+Hauser India Pvt. Ltd. It all began on a rather ordinary day when he chose to join the dual qualification program offered by Endress+Hauser at their Aurangabad facility. Eknath is a part of the very first batch of the dual qualification program in the trade of ‘Mechatronics’, which is based on the German dual vocational training. With a vision of creating quality workforce, Endress+Hauser decided to start this certification with help of DUALpro, the vocational training and education brand of AHK India. Before joining Endress+Hauser as a trainee, Eknath had completed his qualification in the trade ‘Electronics mechanic’ from government ITI Jalna. He however wanted to take admission for the ‘Electrician’ trade. His interest in electrics was still lingering in the back of his mind. So, when he got to know that he would get a chance to learn about welding, electrical & mechanical engineering together in the trade of ‘Mechatronics’, it immediately motivated him to pursue the course. Eknath mentioned that the employees at Endress+Hauser have the liberty to work across departments on the shop floor. That is why his journey so far is also quite interesting. After the training, he started working on the pressure line under a team leader. After working there for about a year, he moved to another department and started working for the store. New challenges were waiting for him there. Eknath played a significant role in improving the working and solving the problems faced. This resulted in him leading a group of 5 now in the production cell. He says that he could achieve this all because of knowledge and skills learned during the dual program at Endress+Hauser. Every day, he has opportunities to apply his knowledge practically, and everything he learned during the training has been relevant and aligned with industry demands. When asked about how the vocational training at Endress+Hauser has helped him, he says that it has brought about tremendous changes in him, not only professionally but also personally. He remembers about the time when he was appearing for interviews after completing his training at ITI. He and other trainees were unable to answer when the interviewers asked about the practical skills that they had learnt. He says, they had all the technical knowledge, but fell short of practical skills because they never handled any tools and machinery during their training at ITI. On the other hand, he learned to handle all kinds of tools and machinery from the early stages of his training at Endress+Hauser. The program is designed such that the trainees must do various projects from inception till execution to be able to understand and handle everyday tasks. This has boosted his confidence, which is clearly reflected in his problem-solving and leadership abilities. Eknath’s quest for learning doesn’t end here: he is now pursuing his diploma in Electronics and Computer engineering and further wishes to seek a degree in Engineering.
On 12th June 2024, the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce held its Traditional Annual Meeting of Members in Germany at the very state-of-the-art Auditorium of the Allianz SE in the city of Munich. The Ambassadors of both countries, H.E. Dr. Philip Ackermann, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany as well as H.E. Parvathaneni Harish, Ambassador of the Republic of India were the Guests of Honor. Prominent IGCC Board members such as Country Heads of Lufthansa, Deutsche Bank, Allianz, BASF, Hafele India from India graced the occasion with their presence. Dr. Rainer Hutka, Ministerial Director, State Chancellery of Bayern was speaking on the excellent relations between Bavaria and India and the future sectors of cooperation. Consul General of India in Munich, Mohit Yadav also attended the event. Around 200 guests were present and participated in the program. There were welcome addresses by George Ettiyil, IGCC President and Senior Director, Lufthansa Group and Renate Wagner, Board Member, Allianz SE. This was followed by a lively Ambassadors’ talk on the results of the German Indian Business Outlook 2024 (GIBO), a survey conducted by KPMG and IGCC on the current and future trends in the Indo-German business climate. Erguen Kis, KPMG also joined the discussion, which was moderated by IGCC President Mr. George Ettiyil. More than 300 responses were recorded for the GIBO survey this year, which thus rendered the positive results to be a good representation of the optimistic outlook towards India as a growth market and the expectations of an increase in bilateral investments. Both Ambassadors spoke very eloquently on the current thriving scenario of Indo-German relations. Ambassador P. Harish emphasized that the results of the recently held elections in India will only contribute to the stability in the country and increase the ease of doing business in the Indian market. The theme of the Annual Meet 2024 was Innovation Partnerships. The first Panel Discussion focused on Future Sustainable Mobility and included Christopher Siegloch, Global Head of Loyalty Program Development, Lufthansa Group, Paul Sefr, Co2 Regulations, Environment and Foreign Affairs, BMW Group, Martin Woerlein, Partner, Roedl and Partner “Make in India Mittelstand” and IGCC Board Member, Ranjit Pratap, Rialto Enterprises as panelists. They shared their insights into the roadmap of their respective companies for the Indian market, esp. with regard to Electronic Vehicles, recent announcements in the EU about the abolishment of the sales of ICEs from 2035, regulatory incentives for electric mobility models including Green Hydrogen, Innovation partnerships between India and Germany. This was followed by a Panel discussion on Medical Technology and the impact of AI in the medical sector. Panelists included Matthias Haering, Allianz Digital Health, Allianz SE, Anandi Iyer, Director, Fraunhofer India, Dr. Gunjan Bhardwarj, Innoplexus and Dr. -Ing. Michael Kaiser, Lead – Smart Manufacturing Centre IPT, B. Braun Melsungen AG. It was an interesting discussion on how Indo-German Innovation Partnerships can strengthen the benefits of AI in the medical sector. It is important to note that more than 30% of all international AI experts are Indians. The Annual Meet was followed by a networking lunch on invitation of the Lufthansa Group at the open terrace of the nearby Cafe Reitschule in the presence of H.E. Ambassador Dr. Ackermann, the IGCC Office Bearers, Board members and their spouses, esteemed speakers, partners, India Desk representatives and our member companies. IGCC Vice-President and CEO, Deutsche Bank AG India, Kaushik Shaparia gave the vote of thanks. In keeping with tradition, the annual meet was marked by the traditional Delegation program to Germany for its Board members and their spouses organized by IGCC/AHK India. The program included visits to our member companies, Arnold + Richter Cine Technik GmbH & CO. Betriebs KG (ARRI), where the visiting Board members were cordially welcomed by the management and invited to a tour down history lane to the making of the first ARRI cameras to the modern-day award-winning ARRI film cameras. At BMW World in Munich, the Board members met with senior officials from BMW and were offered an inside peak into the BMW factory to witness the manufacturing of the famed BMW cars. This was a special occasion as the H.E. Ambassador Dr. P. Ackermann joined the delegation to BMW including a special moment where the Ambassador signed the BMW Guest book in the presence of senior officials from BMW. The delegation of Board members also visited member company, SFC Energy, global leaders in mobile and off-grid power solutions and manufacturers of hydrogen fuel cells in Brunnthal. The delegation of the Board also met with the representatives of the India Desks of the local Chambers of Commerce (IHKs) organized by the IHK Munich and Oberbayern and AHK India. Christoph Angerbauer, Director of the International Department of the IHK welcomed the guests and moderated the event. The program included a keynote address by H.E. Ambassador Dr. Philip Ackermann, a discussion round on current topics of the India Desks’ Network and a presentation of the services of the AHK on skilled migration to Germany. The delegation program would not be complete without some sight-seeing opportunities in the beautiful city of Munich and thus, a visit to the Nymphenburg Castle was organized for the delegates. As an additional treat, there was an extended 2-day trip to Schramberg in the Black Forest. The visit to the Hohenzollern Castle and the stay at Castle Gut Berneck in the Black Forest were unforgettable for most. Visits to the famous Junghans Watch factory and Auto Museum in Schramberg were organized. At Schramberg, IGCC Director General Stefan Halusa and the Office Bearers held a press conference together with Thomas Albiez, Director General and Joerg Hermle, Senior Management- International, IHK Schwarzwald Baar Heuberg where the importance to strengthen Indo-German economic and business relations were highlighted.
Dear Members and Friends of IGCC, As we reach the midpoint of 2024, the global geopolitical landscape remains turbulent. Ongoing conflicts and rising tensions leave countries, corporations, organizations, and individuals grappling with uncertainty. The concept of "resilience" has become central, yet its implementation is challenging amidst unpredictable threats. Surveys reveal mixed insights into our foremost challenges: military conflicts, cyber attacks, climate-induced natural disasters, potential pandemics, or a combination thereof. What is clear is that no single entity can prepare for all these scenarios alone. Despite the obvious need for cooperation, nationalism, protectionism, and self-interest are intensifying. Existing alliances are weakening, and new partnerships are often temporary and opportunistic, driven by immediate, self-serving goals. The fact is, we have to live with it, we have to accept it and find ways to cope with it. Certain countries, however, maintain strong, long-standing ties. India and Germany, for instance, share a rich history of collaboration across politics, industry, academia, and culture. In light of current geopolitical challenges, it is crucial to strengthen these bonds further. Two key areas present significant opportunities for Indo-German collaboration: industrial innovation and workforce development. India aims to bolster its industrial base to drive growth, employment, and exports. Germany, with its robust industrial and technological infrastructure, relies on continuous innovation to remain competitive. Thus, partnerships between Indian and German industries, including academic collaborations, are mutually beneficial. This theme will be a focal point at our Annual Meeting with German members on June 12 in Munich. Workforce skilling and training represent another critical area for cooperation. India's expanding industrial sector will require a vast pool of skilled workers. Conversely, Germany faces a looming shortage of skilled labour while struggling with educational deficits among its youth. Addressing these issues through joint training and skilling initiatives aligned with industry demands in both countries can offer substantial benefits. Recognizing each other’s training and educational qualifications would facilitate quicker employment pathways for Indian trainees in Germany, enhancing overall industrial resilience. We are actively seeking participation from companies in both countries to support this initiative. Our editorials in 2024 would be incomplete without mentioning the Asia Pacific Conference in Delhi from October 24 to 26. Registration is now open, and we encourage you to visit www.asiapacificconference.com for more information. We look forward to seeing you in Delhi and at our various regional events, listed at https://indien.ahk.de/events. Enjoy this edition of our magazine! Stefan Halusa Director General Indo-German Chamber of Commerce