The Hindu Business Line : North Rhine–Westphalia opens office in Pune

North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) has become the first German federal state to have its own branch office in Pune. Mr Karl-Uwe Butof, Director General, Ministry for Economic Affairs, NRW, opened NRW Invest India here on Friday.

Wooing investments

“By opening our representation we want to make a clear statement. We would like to continuously expand trade and investments with India. And as the ‘Oxford of India’ and a booming economic region, Pune is the perfect partner for us,” Mr Butof said.

The automotive industry and the pharmaceutical sectors are growth engines for Pune region.

“North Rhine-Westphalia is an optional location to invest in German and European market. The branch office in Pune serves as a bridge for Indian investors to Germany and Europe,” explained Ms Petra Wassner, Managing Director, NRW Invest Germany.

Around 100 Indian companies have settled in NRW with investors focusing primarily on the steel industry, metal processing, automotive suppliers and the pharmaceutical industry.

Major cos

Major companies include Albonair GmbH, Dortmund (development, production and marketing of vehicle emission systems for diesel engines), Bharat Forge, Ennepetal (manufacturer of forged chassis and engines components), and Mittal, Duisburg (steel production).

The purpose of NRW Invest representation is to intensify the direct contact to companies, associations, institutions and chambers in the Pune economic region.

All informations

Headed by Mr Golak Misra, it will offer individual services to potential investors from all sectors – from information on markets, locations or investment conditions to practical assistance with concrete settlement projects.

“We want to provide Indian investors with optimal service to ensure that they feel at home in North Rhine-Westphalia from the very first moment,” Ms Wassner said.

Over the last eight years, foreign and direct trade between India and North Rhine-Westphalia has nearly trebled. There are around 45,000 Indian citizens currently living in Germany, a quarter of who live in the Rhine-Ruhr region. Currently pegged at about half a billion euros a year, there is further potential for Indian direct investments in North Rhine-Westphalia.

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