Write up – Indo German Business Forum – Strengthening Bi-lateral relations in the Engineering Sector
India and Germany marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in March this year. The relationship has progressed satisfactorily over the years. Germany is the seventh largest FDI provider in India since 2000. Cumulatively Germany has invested $12.39 billion in India since 2000, mainly in automotive, transportation, electrical equipment, metallurgy, insurance, services, chemicals, and construction and trading. 1,600 German companies are reportedly functioning in India, including 600 joint ventures.
In pursuit of the strengthening the networking and cooperation further among the VDMA members, Indo-German fraternity with the local manufacturing industry, VDMA India organised a symposium for the first time, on “Indo-German Business Forum: Strengthening Bi-lateral relation in the Engineering Sector” at Willamson Magor hall, Bengal Chamber Kolkata, on 15th December 2021.
In this day-long event, reputed speakers from VDMA members and other organisations deliberate on various topics starting from technology, automation and digitization – offerings to the engineering industry to compliance, regulatory affairs, ease of doing business and business opportunities for the local industry.
The event covered various representations and demonstrations ranging from simulation, machinery, processes, imaging products and materials. More than 85 delegates comprising of industry representatives, academia and media participated at the symposium. The knowledge partner of the event was Rödl Partner whereas VDMA members like Emerson, Automation Solutions, HARTING, Schmersal, SMS Group were the “Technology
Partners”.
The event started with the traditional lighting of the lamp by the Chief Guest – Mr. Manfred Auster, Consul General, Consulate General of the Federal republic of Germany, Kolkata, Guest of Honour – Mr. Abraham Stephanos, Managing Director, Tata Steel Downstream Products Limited, Mr. Indrajeet Sen, Managing Director, International Combustion Ltd.; Ms. Ritika Arora, Senior Associate, Rödl Partner and Mr. Rajesh Nath, Managing
Director, VDMA India.
Mr. Nath in his welcome address, discussed the challenges that the Indian engineering Industry has faced during the Covid 19 pandemic as well as future challenges that they face to achieve the goals and expectations that are present now and in the near future. He emphasised the significant recovery and drastic growth that these industries have achieved in 2021 and the new challenges that will arise after COP26 and the need for sustainable
development and integration of Industry 4.0 for a green initiative and advancement of the Indian Engineering Industry.
This was followed by an insightful address by Mr. Manfred Auster who mentioned the current change in the German Government and a brief overview of the agendas and goals set by each party of the three-part coalition government and how is might impact the Indo German Trade Relations and what changes to expect in the future interactions.
Mr. Abraham Stephanos shared a beautiful personal story to emphasize the exceptional craftsmanship and superior quality that German products who had always been regarded. He also touched upon various topics like sustainability efforts by TATA Group, Indo-German relations, constraints in supply chain, , data handling, and support of the government to spur demand.
In her presentation on” Ease of Doing Business in India-Emerging Trends and Developments in Indian Regulatory regime”, Ms. Ritika Arora from Rodl Partner, the Knowledge partner, and gave an in-depth knowledge of difficulties faced with International as well as Domestic Companies from commencement of a business and hassle-free operating of the business.
She shed light on different scheme and change in regime to facilitate the running of businesses and making it more convenient and easier to operate business. She also gave a brief overview of speculation of changes and merging of certain laws and what impact they will have on operating businesses in India and what it shall mean for foreign companies investing in India.
The post tea break session was devoted to technical presentations by the VDMA members. In the first presentation, Mr. Vijay Jawade, Director, Sales and Marketing, Fluid Control and Pneumatic, Emerson Automation Solutions gave a very comprehensive but easy to understand description of what his company does. He gave a detailed presentation on Safety and Risk Evaluation and spoke about Digital Dust and Pulse Technology and IIOT For Factory Automation and Energy Preservation.
The next speaker was Dr. Girish Rao, CEO and managing Director, Harting India Pvt. Ltd. who presented on Smart Solutions for Industry power cables. He spoke about customised and standard solutions for Power Data and Connection focussing process Industry, material handling/ conveying, Food Processing & Packaging industry.
This was followed by a presentation by Mr. Prashant Erande, Head- Industry Verticals, Schmersal India Pvt. Ltd. who elucidated upon the concept of Industry 4.0 and need for digitisation that has been expedited by the pandemic and how this digitisation occurs in respect of Conveyor Belt Systems and new and innovative development by Schmersal in the realm of Conveyor Belts.
The last presentation was done by Mr Atanu Dey, Vice President, Head COE Electrics/ Automation & COE Digital Solutions, and Mr. Sanjay Dasgupta, Vice President – Sales and Marketing India and Asia Pacific Region, SMS group. While Mr. Dey covered in digitisation of manufacturing and digital twins, Mr. Dasgupta laid emphasis on in-depth analysis of the change in metallurgy and steel production process with cost optimization and
the way forward to produce green steel by the user industry.
Mr. Sandip Roy, Regional Head-East, VDMA India moderated both the sessions and thanked all the participants for their gracious presence. The event concluded with a sumptuous networking Lunch which allowed guests to interact with the partners of the Symposium.
