India, Germany sign MoU for developing auto, fuel sector

New Delhi, Sep 9 (UNI) India today signed an MoU with Germany for further development in the automobile and fuel sector in both the countries.

The MoU was signed between Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and German Association of the Automobile Industry (VDA) here.

Talking to reporters, Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Sontosh Mohan Dev said, ''We already have a double production agreement with Germany and India aims to double the bilateral trade to 10 billion crore from the current 5 billion crore by 2010.'' Mr Dev said both countries, with the partnership, will work together for better fuel efficiency and pollution norms. ''I will talk to the oil ministry on the issue of bio-diesel so as to use German technologies for more purification of diesel for better fuel efficiency.'' ''Indo-German co-operation will mark an innovation and this will not only give export opportunity but also employment opportunities for people in India,'' he added.

He was speaking at the Indo-German Symposium on 'Strategies for alternative drives and fuels'.

The German side was headed by Mr Ulrich Kasparick, Parliamentary State Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs.

''If both the countries can cooperate with each other then we can grow in both fuel as well as automobiles,'' Mr Kasparick said.

The government had taken an ambitious step for national automotive testing and R and D infrastructure project (NATRIP) by 2006-16 to accelerate the growth of auto sectors in India for fuel efficient engines, Mr Dev said.

He said steps are being taken to reduce pollution through engine emmissions by European technologies and the government is putting up a roadmap for pollution norms.

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