Partha Roy, Kolkata: Indian young well trained quality human resources are going to play significantly important role in boosting trade as well as facililate economic collaboration between Germany and India in short, medium as well as long term.

Consul General of Germany in Kolkata Mrs. Barbara Voss said after successful hosting of G2O summit by India, multi-dimensional cooperation between India and Germany is being pushed to attain Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ). Consul General mentioned as there is only one Earth to live, efforts are on to tackle climate change as well as global warming issues. Also, Technological collaboration are need of the hour to reduce dependency on fossil fuels.

Mrs. Barbara Voss highlighted Germany is facing retirement wave challenges. Consul General of Germany mentioned Germany is going to change policies to make it easier for Indian Students to go to Germany to study as well as work in Germany after completion of study. Currently, approximately 45000 Indian students are studying in Germany which is largest foreign students group in that country.

Consul General of Germany Mrs. Barbara Voss was speaking at the special session on “Furthering Trade Ties Between India and Germany” organised by Calcutta Chamber of Commerce on 22nd February 2024 in Kolkata. Mrs. Barbara Voss is representing Germany in 11 States in Eastern India.

Regional Director of Indo German Chamber of Commerce (IGCC) in Kolkata Mr. Tom Reiner mentioned quality of human capital of India is appreciated by Germany. Reiner mentioned one of the major challenge faced by Indian skilled workers is language of communication. While German is primary language of communication in Germany, most of skilled workers from Indian institutions use English for communication. Indian skilled workers need training in German language to work in Germany.

Tom Reiner mentioned quality of education and training offered by Indian institutions like IIT’s and many others are of very high quality. Tom Reiner briefed on scope and opportunity of Indian companies setting up their offices in Germany. IGCC has 6000 members approximately. IGCC is promoting B2B trade between Germany and India. Tom Reiner highlighted “Senior Experten Service ( SES )” of IGCC. Under SES, retired German professionals come to India to train Indian workers to make them suitable to work in Germany as well as in German companies in India.

Welcoming the august gathering Shri Hari Shankar Halwasiya President of Calcutta Chamber of Commerce stressed the need for enhancement of meetings and Cooperation at three levels : government to government, business to business ,and people to people to increase mutual understanding as well as to reach full potential of political and economic cooperation between Germany and India.

Shri Anant Saharia Senior Vice President of Calcutta Chamber of Commerce (CCC) moderated the session. While delivering vote of thanks, Shri Amit Sharma Vice President of CCC expressed optimism that Germany India bilateral trade and economic cooperation will scale new heights in time ahead.