The Hindu Business Line : German small units keen on more business ties

SMES are keen to have joint ventures in automobiles, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, construction, electronics and industries based on emerging technologies

EXPLORING AVENUES: The Minister of Economic Affairs, State of Saarland, Germany, Dr Hanspeter Georgi (left), with Mr G. Wehrmann, Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Kolkata, at a press meet in Kolkata on Thursday. — A. Roy Chowdhury

Kolkata March 8 Small and medium entrepreneurs from the State of Saarland (Germany) have evinced interest in increased business tie-ups with their counterparts in India as they feel that India, with "unshakable flair for innovation and outstanding traditions of culture and democracy", will play a central role extending far beyond the Asian Continent.

A 21-member business delegation from Saarland, led by its Minister of Economics and Labour, Dr Hanspeter Georgi, is in city now on the last leg of its India visit.

The team met local businessmen/entrepreneurs and senior government officials on Thursday to identify areas of cooperation where SMEs of the German state and West Bengal can work together.

Dr Georgi also met the West Bengal Chief Minister, Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacherjee, and the Minister of Commerce & Industry, Mr Nirupam Sen.

Briefing newspersons, Dr Georgi said although Saarland is one of the small states in Germany with a population of around 1 million, its geographical location holds potential for doing business in Europe.

The state, according to him, is strong in technologies in areas such as automobile, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, nanotechnology, biotechnology and food processing machinery and equipment. It is also developing fast in areas such as IT and ITES.

He said SMEs in Saarland are keen to have joint ventures in automobiles, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, construction, electronics and industries based on emerging technologies. He felt the importance of Asia would continue to grow in terms of global security, economic development and global ecological challenges.

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