German-Indian Round Table (GIRT) Hamburg is one of the founding partners of the India Week in Hamburg. Since Feb. 2010 Rajnish Tiwari heads GIRT Hamburg in an honorary capacity and in this role he, and inter alia also TIM/TUHH, have the opportunity to make an even greater contribution to the India Week Hamburg. GIRT Hamburg, apart from being co-organizer of the India Week as a whole is also involved as host and/or partner of the following events this year:

• Current Trends Concerning Business With India
  (Monday, 17.10.2011, 09:30 – 15:45, Handelskammer Hamburg, Albert Schäfer Saal)

  The Indian economy is witnessing above average growth – and you too can be a part of this growth story! Numerous sectors in India are planning huge investments to extend their capacities. This development offers interesting opportunities for companies in Hamburg as well. However, the Indian market is quite challenging, and companies should prepare themselves carefully.The inaugural event of the India Week in Hamburg this year will be organized jointly by the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, the German Asia-Pacific Business Association (OAV), the German-Indian Round Table (GIRT) and the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce (IGCC). It will inform about recent developments in various sectors as well as about important changes in legal and taxation matters. The participants may expect valuable hints regarding market entry strategies, recruitment of qualified staff, cross-cultural aspects, and intellectual property regulations. Managers and practitioners from several renowned companies will share their experiences in diverse branches such as engineering, logistics and consumer goods.

• Europe’s Relations with India: New Impulses for the Cooperation of Democratic States
  (Tuesday, 18.10.2011, 18:00 – 20:00, Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Spiegelsaal)

  The EU and India already enjoy a close relationship based on shared values and mutual respect. Ever since the first summit of the EU and India in Lisbon in the year of 2000, India’s relations with the EU have steadily intensified on a political, geopolitical and economic level, as well as in respect to trade policy. So what are the challenges, chances and expectations the EU and India have with regard to a strategic partnership in the era of the 21st century?[ Event Flyer, PDF, 1.3 MB ] [ Direct link to Event Partner Europa Union ]

• Grassroot Innovations: New Opportunities für Indo-German Cooperation?
  (Thursday, 20.10.2011, 12:00 – 18:00, Handelskammer Hamburg – Plenarsaal)

  Many local users in rural areas come up with inventions that are not only innovative and useful but also less expensive than the usual solutions available in the market. Another important feature of grassroot innovations is that they are generally environment friendly and in sync with the given infrastructural conditions. Examples of such innovations include water-based cooling systems that do not require electricity. The idea of “grassroot innovations” has been popularized by untiring and inspiring efforts of Prof. Anil Gupta, called “Gandhi of Technology” by the reputed German magazine “Der Spiegel”. Grassroot innovations are being fostered by institutions like the National Innovation Foundation (NIF), SRISTI and the Honey Bee Network in India.The Institute of Technology and Innovation Management at Hamburg University of Technology, together with the Hamburg chapter of German-Indian Round Table (GIRT), will hold a symposium during the India Week Hamburg to explore and demonstrate the vast cooperation opportunities for German firms, especially small and medium-sized ones, to assist the inventors with technical and marketing know-how. Mutual benefit can be found, for instance, in the giant domestic Indian market as well as in international marketing of such products in other corresponding markets of Africa, Latin America and Asia. In some cases, e.g. herbal medicines, it might even be possible to introduce the products in Germany or other developed countries. Prof. Anil Gupta is scheduled to deliver the keynote address and to participate in a panel discussion. Other (cooperation-) partners of the event include the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, National Innovation Foundation of India, the Hamburg chapter of German-Indian Society, and Mahindra Satyam.

  [ Direct link to the event ]

• Dance with the Tiger – Intercultural Challenges Concerning Business with India
  (Thursday, 20.10.2011, 17:30 – 20:00, KWB Koordinierungsstelle Weiterbildung und Beschäftigung e.V., Haus der Wirtschaft, II. Stock)

  The Indian Tiger has awakened. Whoever wants to compete with him needs to sharpen his claws. For, as promising the predictions may be, progress reports of both German and Indian businessmen have shown: despite good preparation, several aspects between German-Indian cooperation often times turn out rather “differently” than expected… Together with various experts, businessmen and managers with the respective India-experience, carefully examine some success factors and stumbling blocks of German-Indian cooperation projects. Draw the necessary conclusions for entrepreneurial practice. Lecturers: Sujata Banerjee, Surja Bose, Surya Bose, Rudolf Weiler (requested) and more.

[Download India Week Flyer, PDF, approx. 4 MB]
[Download Program Booklet, PDF, apprx. 1.4 MB]