India
Information about the partnership
Partner country since 2009
Participants in the programme to date: 1304 executives
Political partner for the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) of the Republic of India
India’s economic development offers diverse opportunities for German companies. In particular, German SMEs looking for business partners and aiming to build strong business networks can benefit from the growing Indo-German cooperation landscape. India’s development and the growing demand for modern technologies create an attractive environment for international business cooperation. Partnering in Business with Germany supports German SMEs in entering the Indian market by connecting them with executives from various industries seeking international expansion.
Focus Areas and Cooperation Potentials of India
Since mid-2023, India has been the world’s most populous nation. Forecasts suggest that India’s economic output will surpass that of Germany and Japan by the end of this decade. Following years of increasing infrastructure spending, experts are now registering growing investments in cement production and the steel industry. Construction machinery manufacturers and the automotive sector are experiencing a rise in demand.
India is one of the world’s largest food producers and can feed its population almost without food imports. This opens up considerable potential for cooperation on modern equipment and digital solutions for the agricultural sector.
Business in India – Opportunities for German Companies
As the country diversifies its foreign trade, more and more German companies are looking to do business with India. Important aspects here include the country’s western-oriented legal system, competitive wages and especially its sizable market. The young, consumption-oriented population, the modernization of infrastructure, and the shift in global supply chains are making the country increasingly attractive. Additionally, local companies show strong interest in international business partnerships and knowledge transfer.
Agriculture is a central pillar of the Indian economy. Accordingly, there is high demand for robust, user-friendly smart farming technologies. Significant potential is also emerging in the energy sector. India is increasingly focusing on expanding renewable energy to make its energy mix greener, support decarbonization efforts, and promote long-term sustainability. In addition, the production of green hydrogen is set to be expanded.
Industry Focus and Participant Profiles
Partnering in Business with Germany is open to executives from all sectors. Most of the Indian participants in the programme come from family-owned Indian companies, mainly from the manufacturing sector. Key manufacturing sectors include mechanical and plant engineering, electronics, the automotive industry, pharmaceuticals and medical technology. Many executives are looking for opportunities to sell their own products in Germany, others are interested in new technologies. The Indian government has been funding environmentally friendly and energy-efficient industries in recent years. The number of executives working in the circular economy and energy efficiency sector is growing.
The Indo-German Business Development Association (IGBDA) is providing opportunities for dialogue between former programme participants. Annual networking events and a wide range of smaller regional and virtual workshops for alumni help develop closer contacts with the German business community.
Indo-German partnership strengthens Industry 4.0 in India
An Indo-German cooperation project aims to boost digitalisation in Indian companies. By using software from the Hessian startup Framence, companies can replicate their plants online. Some Indian companies are already implementing their projects, which shows the high demand for digitalisation in the rapidly growing Indian economy.
