On February 18^th 2011 the first German-Indian Round Table took place in Pune. The head of the new GIRT Pune chapter is Ajay Mehta from Crossover Advisors. This interview was given to Indien Aktuell shortly after the inauguration of the GIRT Pune.

Indien Aktuell (IA): How did get in contact with the organisation of German-Indian Round Table (GIRT)?

Ajay Mehta (AM): Dr Andreas Waldraff Chairman GIRT from GIRT Berlin met with me and explained the ethos and structure of GIRT as well as what service the organisation aims to provide for its members

IA: Why does Pune need a GIRT?

AM: Pune is India's largest base for German companies and businesses with over 197 German companies have subsidiaries and/or JV's and also a larger number of German-Indian business alliances. There are a large number of new German companies looking at opportunities to set up bases in Pune, especially with opportunities in engineering, auto components, mechatronics, biotechnology and many other sectors. Pune is also one of the largest German language speaking base with the Goethe Institute ( Max Mueller Bhavan) and others and also one of the largest base for German music, art, theater, education and other fields. GIRT Pune can help in furthering these ties.

IA: What can GIRT do for Indian and German companies in Pune?

AM: GIRT can and should provide the right 'people to people' linkages between German leaders and Pune (Indian) leaders connecting them in a confidential, unbiased manner for peer to peer learning and exploring business and social/cultural opportunities. Its is only with these personalized linkages that trust and respect can be built. Business and economic ties can only then be more successful and effective. Most mid size businesses can be best developed among 'friends' and GIRT should aim to build such friendships

IA: What do you expect from the GIRT in Germany for the particapants of the Pune chapter?

AM: GIRT in Germany should support its 'newest baby' GIRT Pune at least in the following manner:

a) Whenever GIRT Germany members visit Pune, they should spare an evening to meet with GIRT Pune members and communicate opportunities and learnings on how to do business with German organisation. GIRT Pune can help in how to do business in India.

b) Create a positive image for Pune and GIRT Pune in Germany.

c) Create hosting/visit opportunities for Indian/Pune businesmen visiting Germany.

d) Create 'learning events' and 'social/cultural events' jointly in Germany and Pune for business leaders from both sides.

IA: Pune hosts already branch offices of the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce and the Max-Mueller Bhavan. Why does it need a GIRT? Does GIRT compeet or complement with them?

AM: GIRT aims to predominantly be a person to person organisation of the leaders of mid size businesses. GIRT may or may not specifically address a specific assignment or opportunity directly but may deal more on the how's and why's, when's and where's - more strategic issues of a broader generalized nature, without any committed results or expectation.

When specific opportunities are crystallized, Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, GTZ, DEG, KfW, NRW Invest, ISB (the Investment and Economic Development Bank of Rheinland-Pfalz), FrankfurtRheinMain GmbH, BW -Invest, (to name a few) and other such organisations can and do play an exemplary role and on an 'Institution to Institution' basis. All these organizations have made their good presence felt in Pune. Goethe-Institut/ Max Mueller has played a social, cultural and language development role in Pune since a long time and has been a strong integral part of Pune society.

So GIRT members as individuals who lead their businesses, will always work in tandem with and GIRT would in fact complement the role of IGCC, other institutions and other Regional development organization of the Governments.

IA: What are your future expectations about Indo-German Business in Pune and for India and Germany in general?

AM: I believe India and Germany have huge potential of opportunities. Although the processes are different, Germans and Indian in many ways think similar and work towards long term developments and gains and are willing to invest in developing relationships and not just in businesses. India offers huge growing markets and skilled/qualified human resources along with western style of business processes and language ease. Germany on the other hand offers technology, global markets, capital and special skills that India needs. It can be a great win-win for both countries. GIRT can and should aim to foster these opportunities by building people to people linkages between those who can make the difference in an atmosphere of trust and respect.

About German-Indian Round Table:
The German-Indian Round Table (GIRT), initiated in 2001 by Rudolf Weiler, is an association of individuals with a strong business and personal interest in India. The objective of the GIRT is to spread information about India and the facilitation of Indo-German business ties. Apart from this, cultural and social activities relating to India are being supported by the participants of the Indo-German ‘Stammtisch’-meetings.

GIRT ‚Stammtisch’-meetings are regularly held at the cities of Aachen, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hannover, Karlsruhe, Leipzig, Munich, Nuremberg, Stuttgart, Delhi and Pune.

Additional ‚Stammtisch’-meetings both in India and Germany are in the course of formation. The information radius of the GIRT is covering about 3000 individuals of the Indo-German business scene today.

Heads and speaker of the GIRT all work in an honorary capacity. Since February 2010, Dr. Andreas Waldraff from Berlin, is the chairman of the GIRT.