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.
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.
