BMWK delegation meets Indian partners in Bangalore and New Delhi

From 4 to 5 July 2022, the BMWK delegation travelled to Bangalore to exchange views with the German and Indian industry. The experts discussed current market trends and opportunities for cooperation within the framework of the Indo-German Working Group on Quality Infrastructure.

German companies report on opportunities and challenges in the Indian market

Together with the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce (IGCC), the BMWK delegation, which was led by Dr Ole Janssen (Deputy Director General for Innovation and Technology Policy), organised a roundtable discussion with German industry in Bangalore. The companies reported that the Indian market offers many opportunities for German companies. They also welcomed that the European Union (EU) and India have resumed their negotiations on a free trade agreement. The industry representatives underlined that cybersecurity and machinery safety are important cooperation topics for the bilateral QI dialogue.

Exchange with Indian industry on QI developments and current priorities

The BMWK delegation also met with representatives of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the associated CII Institute of Quality. They discussed developments in the field of QI and current priorities of the Indian industry. The participating Indian companies emphasised that product quality and safety are becoming increasingly relevant in India.  They emphasised that they appreciate the cooperation within the framework of the Working Group on QI.

Roundtable on machinery and plant engineering: Participants discuss digitalisation and smart agriculture

A roundtable discussion with the machinery and plant engineering industry focused on current issues in this industry. The BMWK delegation discussed current topics in the fields of digitalisation and smart agriculture with the participating companies. Standardisation in the fields of Industry 4.0 and Artificial Intelligence are two key areas in which the working group is already active. The event was jointly organised with the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA) in India.

Company visits to Siemens Healthineers and TÜV Rheinland

In Bangalore, the BMWK delegation also visited the company sites of Siemens Healthineers and TÜV Rheinland. During the meetings, an exchange took place on current topics of QI.

Bilateral meetings with Indian partners in New Delhi

The second part of the delegation visit took place in New Delhi from 6 to 8 July where the delegation met important partners of the working group. In New Delhi, the delegation was accompanied by German experts for standardisation (representative of DKE - German Commission for Electrotechnical, Electronic & Information Technologies in DIN and VDE) and market surveillance.

The BMWK delegation held bilateral meetings with representatives of the Indian Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (MoCAF&PD), the Indian Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to discuss current priorities for cooperation.

To deepen the technical dialogue, the BMWK delegation jointly organised a two-days expert event together with MoCAF&PD and BIS: the Indo-German QI-Days (QI-Days). It took place on 7 and 8 July in a hybrid format. More than 120 German and Indian experts exchanged views on current issues of market surveillance, technical regulation, standardisation and circular economy. The QI-Days highlighted key fields of action for joint activities within the framework of the Working Group on Quality Infrastructure.

BMKW delegation visit underlines dynamic Indo-German economic cooperation

The discussions and events during the delegation visit reaffirmed the trusting cooperation with the partners and stakeholders of the Indo-German Working Group on Quality Infrastructure. At the same time, it showed the vast potential for deepening this cooperation.