Karnataka and Bavaria sign MoU in Aerospace, ICT

Bangalore, Apr 2: Bavaria Minister-President Dr Edmund Stoiber today said that after IT and engineering industry, his State was keen in forging partnerships with Karnataka in the fields of Aerospace and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

"Particular attention will be paid for building cooperation and partnership in the fields of Aerospace and ICT", he added.

Speaking after signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between German state of Bavaria and Karnataka here, he said the new understanding had opened a new chapter for friendship between India and Bavaria. Another area Bavaria was keen to establish ties with Karnataka for exchange of college teachers and students between the two States.

He said that Bavaria was open to all and "through this MoU we want to remain a bridge for political and economic exchanges between the two States. The MoU is a new milestone in Indo-German relationship".

Referring to another MoU signed earlier between Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and University of Munich, he said that "the exchange between the two universities under MoU would further strengthen the cooperation between the two nations".

Offering Fellowship for students from Karnataka for higher studies in Bavaria, he said that he was also ready to send students for internship in Bangalore.

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, in his address, appealed to the Bavarian entrepreneurs to invest in Karnataka as it provided ample opportunity in many fields. He said that the trade relationship between India and Bavaria was in existence for the last 500 years and the volume of trade between Bavaria and India amounted close to 1.1 billion Euros, making Bavaria one of India's most important trading partners. In 2006, Indian imports from Bavaria increased by nearly 45 per cent, while the Indian Exports has also shown a healthy growth of more than 32 per cent.

Stating that Karnataka was the most preferred destination in India, he said that 12 Bavarian companies had already chosen Bangalore as their business location. "We hope that this number would increase further in the coming days", he added.

Mr Kumaraswamy called upon Bavarian companies to invest in tier two cities of Karnataka like Mangalore, Mysore, Hassan, Belgaum, Hubli-Dharwad, Gulbarga and Raichur, stating that sincere efforts were made to provide international class infrastructure in these locations.

The MoU signed by Dr Stoiber and Mr Kumarasawamy aimed at building up collaborations between the two States in undertaking projects, to build partnership for mutual benefit, promote and participate in activities which further cultural exchanges, encourage activities which further the development of education sector at school and university level in each state.

Under the MoU the two States would establish a Steering Committee/Working Group in Munich and Bangalore respectively.

Minister for Large and Medium Industries Katta Subramanyam Naidu, in his address said that of the total 780 Indo-German collaborations in India, 115 were in Karnataka. This included MICO, BHEL, GOETZ India Ltd, Robert Bosch, Siemens Ltd, Fritz Werner Writgen India and ABB.

He said the MoU should become an alliance for future innovative plans of cooperation and development between the two States.

UNI