Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal conducted a series of high-level economic engagements in Berlin on October 22nd to strengthen India-Germany trade and investment ties. The engagements were part of ongoing efforts to deepen the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, particularly in trade, investment, technology, and industrial cooperation.
During a bilateral meeting with German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Ms. Katherina Reiche, the ministers discussed opportunities for closer industrial collaboration and the potential of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to expand bilateral trade and investment. The two ministers jointly inaugurated the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP)'s India Centre in Berlin, which is intended to promote policy research and dialogue on India-Germany relations.
The Union Ministers co-chaired an India-Germany Business Roundtable organized with DGAP and the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business (APA), with participation from German CEOs and business leaders. In their keynote addresses, Shri Goyal addressed accelerating growth and forging a new trade era, while Ms. Reiche spoke on transforming the FTA into industrial reality. The subsequent interaction focused on translating the prospective India-EU FTA into concrete trade and investment opportunities.
At the Berlin Global Dialogue, Shri Piyush Goyal participated in a panel discussion titled "New Era, New Alliances: The Third Path?" alongside Personal Representative of the German Chancellor for Investment Mr. Martin Blessing; Singapore's Minister for Manpower and Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology Dr. Tan See Leng; and Chairwoman and CEO of Marcegaglia Steel Ms. Emma Marcegaglia. The session was moderated by Prof. Dr. Lars-Hendrik Röller. Shri Goyal highlighted the importance of trust, complementary economic strengths, and resilient supply chains in international partnerships.
Shri Goyal also held individual meetings with Member of the Board of Management of Bayer AG Mr. Stefan Oelrich (President of its Pharmaceuticals Division); Mr. Murat Akyildiz, Managing Partner of Knauf Group; and CEO of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA Mr. Michael Sen to explore opportunities for business and investment cooperation. The Minister was accompanied by a delegation of approximately 100 Indian businesses and startups during his visit to Germany and the Netherlands.