With a promise of a stable business environment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday wooed German investors stating that opportunities in India are “seamless” and huge for a vibrant economic partnership.
At the inauguration of the world’s biggest business fair – Hannover-Messe, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the PM said India was working on a “predictable and transparent” environment to open up investments.
With regard to PM Modi’s assertion about improving conditions for business in India, Chancellor Merkel said the two countries will have inter-governmental talks later this year when “stock” can be taken of whether the “problems” have been addressed.
“India and Germany need to change ways of doing business,” the Chancellor said.
Open for Business
Modi said his government is “removing unnecessary regulations and simplifying our procedures” to make it easy for doing business in the country and enable foreign companies to participate in the ‘Make in India’ programme.
My message to you (foreign investors) is this: You will find environment that is not only open, but also welcoming. We will make it easy to do business in India. And, we will always be eager to listen to your feedback.
– Narendra Modi
Meeting German Industry Leaders
Modi accompanied by Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, met a slew of top CEOs — including Lutz Bertling of Bombardier Transportation, Hubert Lienhard of Voith, Olaf Koch, Metro AG, and Dieter Zetsche of Daimler.
Chancellor Merkel, who led her country out of economic recession, also said that she wanted not only Germany companies to participate in ‘Make-in-India’ but also ‘Make-in-Germany’ in which Indian companies could participate.
The French Competition
Observing that France, from where PM Modi came, was also keen to do business with India, Chancellor Merkel told the German business leaders, “I know you have competition but more the competition, better you get.”
Mahatma Gandhi, Now in Germany
Modi, who flew down to this German city after his two-day visit to France, also unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi at the City Hall.
At the Hannover City Hall, he was accorded a welcome by the mayor Steven Schostok. Speaking after unveiling the bust of Mahatma Gandhi at the city hall, Modi said the unveiling of the statue was a moment of pride not only for the residents of the city but also for every individual who had faith in humanity.
(With inputs from PTI)
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