German State seeks collaboration with Maharashtra in infrastructure and energy sectors

The Minister President of the German State of Baden-Wuerttemberg Mr Guenther H. Oettinger has said that Germany and its State of Baden-Wuerttemberg are keen on increasing and deepening their relations with India, particularly in business, trade and investment. The Minister President (equivalent of Chief Minister) who is leading a 130-strong member delegation of business leaders from his State to Mumbai said that the State of Baden-Wuerttemberg is keen to have mutual collaboration with Maharashtra in the areas of infrastructure, energy, industry, and research and development. He said the large delegation accompanying him is a clear reflection of their priority to promote economic ties with IndiaThe Minister President was speaking to the Governor of Maharashtra S. C. Jamir at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai on Thursday (19 Nov.) evening.Expressing admiration for the performance of Indian economy, the Minister President told the Governor that at least 350 German companies coming from the State of Baden-Wuerttemberg are operating in India. These include Daimler, Bosch, SAP, Heidelberg Cement, Porsche and Carl Zeiss. Many of these companies are in Maharashtra.Welcoming the Minister President to Maharashtra, Governor Jamir said that the Minister President's visit was taking place at the most appropriate time when a new government has been established in the State.

The Governor recalled that Stuttgart (the capital of Baden-Wuerttemberg) and Mumbai have a twinning agreement (city partnership) in place for the last 41 years. This agreement could form the basis for further cooperation in urban matters between the two cities. The Governor acknowledged that the State of Baden-Wuerttemberg is one of the principal drivers of growing Indo-German bi-lateral trade.