PM Modi likely to attend technology fair in Germany in April 2015

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the world-renowned engineering and technology fair at Hannover in Germany in April next year, an official statement on Wednesday said.

India has conveyed its consent to be the 'Partner Country' at the five-day engineering fair in Germany to be held from April 12, 2015. "By accepting the invitation of German Chancellor Angela Merkel for India to be the Partner Country at Hannover Messe 2015, the government has sent strong signals to the industry about strengthening global trade and inviting investment into

India.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to be present at the world renowned engineering and technology fair," the Commerce and Industry Ministry statement said. The Department of Commerce has mandated Engineering Export Promotion Council India and India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF) along with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) as the lead agencies for Indian participation in the

fair.

About 300 Indian companies including public sector giants would be participating in the fair, seeking technology collaborations, business tie-ups and showcasing India's capabilities in global trade.

The Government is seeing the participation in the fair as an opportunity to increase its global presence in commodities and services, apart from utilizing the event for attracting investments into India as part of the 'Make in India' campaign of the Prime Minister.

The Department of Commerce is in touch with key departments and leaders of Indian businesses, seeking their participation in the fair. With $21 billion bilateral trade, Germany is India's sixth largest trading partner. The areas and sectors of cooperation include mechanical engineering, automobiles, chemicals, services, nuclear reactors and construction.

Textile, chemical, leather goods, iron, steel, electronics, electrical components, pharmaceutical and auto components are major items of exports to Germany. India's main imports from Germany include electrical generation equipment, auto products, bearings, gear equipment, measurement and control equipment, chemicals, synthetic material, machine tools, aircrafts and iron and steel sheets.