Angela Merkel to visit Bengaluru on Oct 6

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Sep 15, 2015, dhns: German Chancellor Angela Merkel will visit India’s technology capital Bengaluru on October 6.

Merkel’s visit is viewed as a feather in the cap of the growing clout of Brand Bengaluru, famous for its software services companies and the presence of research and development (R&D) centres of Fortune 500 multinationals.

According to sources, German authorities had initially identified eight companies, and finally zeroed in on three as part of Merkel’s Bengaluru itinerary. It is learnt that Bosch India, part of the €48.9-billion German automotive technology giant Robert Bosch, will play host.

Sources said she will spend two hours at the Bosch campus and its research team would familiarise her with innovations happening out of India.

German Consul-General Jörn Rohde told Deccan Herald that the programme is yet to be finalised. “We can’t reveal anything right now and we are discussing with government bodies. Right now I can’t even say when she will come,” he said.

When contacted, Mehul Lanvers-Shah, managing director of Hannover Milano Fairs India, said while the Merkel visit is confirmed, he doesn’t have any official confirmation of her discussion agenda.

“But she will carry forward the discussion we had during the Hannover Milano Fair, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi also participated. Discussions on Make in India initiatives will be continued here also. I have a strong feeling that Smart City projects, along with Clean India and Skill India initiatives, will get primacy during the discussion,” he said.

According to Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry president Tallam R Dwarakanath and senior vice-president M C Dinesh, the high-profile visit is viewed as a boost to Karnataka’s efforts to flaunt its technological prowess.

“Merkel’s visit will have far reaching impact on Bengaluru’s image. It will give primacy to skilling efforts, technology upgradation and efforts by corporates to achieve global standards,” said Dinesh.