Date:24/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/24/stories/2007112462611200.htm

National

Rheinland-Pfalz team exploring business opportunities in south India

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: A 16-member business delegation from the Federal State of Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany, is in Chennai to explore business opportunities in south India and also to woo small and medium entrepreneurs to start business units there.

Speaking at a business opportunities exploratory meeting organised by the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, the Head of the Economic Department, Foreign Trade, and Tourism of the Federal State of the Rheinland-Pfalz, Hans Georg Schneider, said the delegation was evincing interest in the area of automotive components, pharmaceutical sector, chemical and food industries and multimedia.

He said the cordial bilateral relations between the two countries would get a boost with the Federal State of Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany, planning to open a trade development office in Pune by July next.

While thanking the Indo-Chamber of Commerce in Chennai for playing a catalytic role in furthering the trade relations between India and Germany, Mr.Schneider explained that business delegation was visiting Chennai after touring Mumbai and Pune.

C. Voelker, Director of Investment Promotion of the Investitions Strukturbank (ISB), said there was greater scope for furthering the economic ties between India and Rheinland-Pfalz.

Pramod Radhakrishnan, Director-Marketing and Sales of Maier and Vidorno, which had business dealings both in India and Germany, spoke on the importance of cross-border business opportunities in India and Germany.