A month ago, representatives from Hamburg, including Julie-Ann Tai Shiraishi from the Senate Chancellery, Dr. Doris Hillger from the Handelskammer Hamburg, Lee Lee Ong from Hamburg Invest, and Prashant Rao, Hamburg Ambassador from Bengaluru, attended the Asia-Pacific Conference (APK) in India. This landmark event, returning to India after a decade, brought together leaders and experts to discuss the region's future. Hamburg’s active participation underscored its longstanding commitment to strengthening ties with India—a relationship cultivated over decades.
The Hamburg Representation in Mumbai, established in 2011, was founded to facilitate partnerships and promote collaboration between Hamburg and India in business, culture, and innovation. Over the years, it has become a vital link between the two regions, fostering enduring partnerships and playing a crucial role in deepening bilateral relations.
During this visit, Hamburg representative, Julie-Ann engaged in several significant meetings that reinforced the city’s dedication to Indo-German relations, particularly in innovation, cultural exchange, and workforce development. These engagements laid the groundwork for India Week Hamburg 2025, scheduled from June 23–29, 2025.
Key Meetings and Highlights
Asia-Pacific Conference (APK) and Fachkräfte Strategy Recognition
Hamburg’s contributions to Indo-German relations were prominently showcased during the APK. Notably, the Hamburg Representation in Mumbai was featured in the Fachkräfte Strategie Indien paper published by the Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales, emphasizing Hamburg’s pivotal role in fostering skilled workforce collaborations.
Indo-German Chamber of Commerce (IGCC)
A key highlight was the meeting with Stefan Halusa, Director General of IGCC, and Denise Eichhorn, Head of ProRecognition and Hand in Hand for International Talents. Discussions focused on skilled workforce development (Fachkräfte) and potential collaborations for India Week Hamburg 2025. This partnership aims to address workforce challenges, promote talent mobility, and deepen economic ties between Hamburg and India.
Planning for India Week Hamburg 2025
The Hamburg Representation team convened at Hollybelly in New Delhi to strategize for India Week Hamburg 2025. Discussions emphasized celebrating Indo-German collaboration across culture, business, and innovation. Meetings with other stakeholders further shaped plans, including an exchange with Himanshu Chawla, Frank Hoffmann, and Dr. Carsten Klein on workforce development and collaboration with the German Consulate in Mumbai for their support during the event.
Advancing Innovation and Cultural Exchange
In New Delhi, Dr. Lasch of the Deutsches Wissenschafts- und Innovationshaus (DWIH) discussed innovation partnerships, focusing on collaborative research. In Mumbai, meetings with Björn Ketels, Director of Goethe-Institut Mumbai, explored cultural exchange programs, while discussions with the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) aimed to facilitate academic and cultural exchanges between Indian and German institutions. Additional exchanges with Ashumi Shroff, Sr. Advisor of Economic and Political Affairs at the German Consulate, delved deeper into skilled workforce development initiatives.
A Path Forward
This series of impactful engagements reaffirmed Hamburg’s commitment to strengthening Indo-German ties. With over a decade of successful relations nurtured by the Hamburg Representation in Mumbai, the city continues to bridge businesses, educational institutions, and cultural organizations in both nations.
As India Week Hamburg 2025 approaches, these discussions have laid a strong foundation for meaningful collaborations, ensuring the event’s success and enhancing Hamburg’s role as a bridge between Germany and India.
