The Hindu Business Line : German marine, offshore equipment suppliers look to forge ties with India

Kolkata, Nov. 10 A 15-member marine and offshore equipment delegation from Germany, comprising representatives of nine firms in the field and officials of German Engineering Federation (VDMA) and Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, held here on Tuesday what it called ‘Business Matchmaking Event’.

The thrust of the event was to hold discussion with representatives of 25 Indian firms to explore business opportunities, forge partnership and establish B2B contacts. The Indian firms included shipbuilders, shipping companies and engineering firms. The representatives of Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Apeejay Shipping and McNally Bharat Engineering, among others, were present.

This was the first time that a German delegation of marine and offshore equipment suppliers visited the city to explore opportunities, including the scope of outsourcing. this is despite the fact that the German companies have always been reliable suppliers of marine and offshore equipment to local firms.

“Germany is the world’s largest exporter of marine equipment, although it, unlike China, Japan and Korea, is not a major ship-building nation,” Mr Hauke Viktor Schlegel, Managing Director, VDMA, said.

The trade between India and Germany recorded 11 per cent growth in 2008 to reach €13.4 billion, up from €12.7 billion in 2007.

Mr Ernst Stock-Pukall, Deputy Head, Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, said the objective of the present delegation was to promote Germany’s medium size companies now facing problems.

Mr Klaus Tesch, Deputy Consul General, German Consulate, said there were huge potentials here to be tapped just as there were risks also.

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