Date:30/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/30/stories/2008113060400300.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Indo-German ties to be strengthened

Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A 17-member German trade delegation that is now touring the State would identify ways to enhance Indo-German cooperation in areas, including Information Technology, coir, health and tourism, Consul-General of Germany to India Stefan Graf said here on Saturday. He was addressing a press conference at the Technopark.

The trade delegation held talks with Chief Secretary P. J. Thomas; Industries Secretary T. Balakrishnan; and Information Technology Secretary Ajayakumar on Saturday morning. This is a fact-finding mission and over the next month, the team would do its homework on possible business investments in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi, Mr. Graf said.

Indian tourism has a big impact in Germany. The ‘Incredible India’ campaign is an omnipresent affair in Germany and Ayurveda is gaining popularity among Germans.

Replying to a question, Mr. Graf said Germany had not issued any travel advisory to its citizens about journeying in India. “ All of us are still under shock, deeply concerned over what happened in Mumbai, he said.

The German delegation also held talks with the business community at Technopark.