Germany holds 'Make in India' fortnight before Modi visit

A "Make in India" fortnight was held near here, concluding on Friday, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Germany next month, the Indian consulate said in a statement here.

The event was held in cooperation with the city authorities of Cologne, about 190 km from here, and concluded with a grand road show on Friday, the statement added.

Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will jointly inaugurate the Hannover Messe 2015 fair, where India is a partner country, on April 12.

In his address, Consul General Raveesh Kumar emphasised on the importance of this campaign and highlighted the positive developments that are being undertaken by the Indian government to make India a manufacturing hub and a preferred investment destination, the statement said.

The Lord Mayor of Cologne Juergen Roters, while lauding the initiative of the Indian government, highlighted the special relationship that the city shares with India and invited Indian companies to invest in Cologne.

The "Make in India" initiative was launched by the Indian Consulate in Frankfurt jointly with HCL on March 11 with an event in the city of Ludwigshafen that had a special emphasis on data security.

According to the ministry of external affairs, bilateral trade during 2013 was valued at 16.08 billion euros ($17.51 billion). During January-October 2014, it was worth 13.44 billion euros. Germany is the eighth largest foreign direct investor in India. German FDI in India during the period 1991-2014 was valued at $7.57 billion.

Over 100 chief executives of Indian industry and more than 450 Indian companies are expected to participate, making it the largest Indian representation ever at the Hannover fair.

Modi on Saturday said his upcoming visit to France, Germany and Canada was aimed at boosting India's economy and creating jobs.

"My France, Germany & Canada visit is centred around supporting India's economic agenda & creating jobs for our youth," he tweeted, ahead of his three-nation tour from April 9 to 16.