The Rising Rajasthan delegation led by Bhajan Lal Sharma wrapped up its Germany leg of investor outreach today after theTourist Meet to attract investment in the tourism sector of the state.
The delegation also held discussions with officials of key Germany-based firms from the mobility, engineering, consulting, automotive and health sectors.
Chief Minister Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma and other members of the Government of Rajasthan delegation visited the headquarters of Germany's travel-tech company FlixBus in Munich, Germany and interacted with its global leadership team, including Mr. André Schwämmlein, Co-Founder & CEO and Mr. Max Zeumer, Chief Operating Officer.
During the meeting, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed with the German company, under which Flix Bus will be making a significant investment in Rajasthan and expand its operations further within the state, which will lead to both direct and indirect job creation.
Flixbus is a prominent player in the transportation industry with an established presence in Rajasthan and the collaboration with them aims to enhance connectivity, improve transportation services, and contribute to the state's economic growth.
The meeting emphasised the importance of strengthening transportation networks across the state, with Flixbus playing a key role in making Rajasthan more accessible for both residents and tourists. The government assured full support for Flixbus' growth in the region, envisioning a modern and efficient transportation system for the future.
Besides this, the Government of Rajasthan delegation held discussions with several leading German firms and participated in the ‘Rising Rajasthan' Tourist Meet yesterday evening. This includes holding meetings with the representatives of Veauli Techniks GmbH, Knauf Engineering GmbH, Horizon Industries GmbH, Roedl & Partner, Fackelmann GmBH, and Partex NV.
During the meeting with Veauli Techniks GmbH, a manufacturer of automotive components, talks were held on investment opportunities available in the sector in Rajasthan. The company, which already has a unit in Maharashtra, has also signed an MoU with the state government for establishing their second automotive parts manufacturing facility in Rajasthan during the investor roadshow held in Munich yesterday.
In discussion with Partex NV, the world's first digital pharma platform and leading AI-powered Drug Assets Manager, the delegation highlighted the government's ambitious vision to make Rajasthan a prominent pharma hub and invited the company to invest in the state.
On similar lines, the delegation held one-on-one interactions with Knauf Engineering GmbH (construction), Horizon Industries GmbH (consulting), Roedl & Partner (consulting), GmbH + Co. KG and shared the new investment opportunities in the state. The officials of these firms also told the delegation that Rajasthan will figure prominently in their future expansion plans in India.
Rajasthan ready for luxury tourism
During the special ‘Rising Rajasthan' Tourism Meet held late last evening in Munich, the CM-led delegation invited German investors from the hospitality and real estate sectors to explore opportunities in Rajasthan.
Speaking at the Tourism Meet, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said, “New realms of tourism are waiting to be explored in the state in addition to the forts and palaces that the state is famous for. The tourism sector in the state has immense opportunities in the area of luxury resorts, eco-friendly resorts, wellness tourism and adventure tourism. The vibrant culture of Rajasthan that encompasses festivals such as Teej and Pushkar Mela, is iconic and must be experienced by everyone. The government is committed to ensure that all sectors of tourism pick-up robust growth.”
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari said, “The Tourism sector is one of the most important pillars of Rajasthan's economy. Ranging from the historic forts and enchanting palaces to the sprawling tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries, the multitude of experiences that a tourist undergoes in the state is truly exceptional. I take this opportunity to invite you all to be a part of the ‘Rising Rajasthan' Global Investment Summit 2024 and experience what Rajasthan truly has to offer.”
Delegation now heads to London
With these meetings, the Chief Minister-led delegation has wrapped up its Germany visit and has now departed for London (United Kingdom), where it is scheduled to participate in an investor roadshow, hold one-on-one meetings with the UK-based corporates and interact with the Indian diaspora. The delegation will be in the United Kingdom from October 16th to October 19th.
Prakash Bhandari is a veteran journalist with over 50 years of experience. He has worked with The Times of India for 30 years and contributed to leading publications as well as international news agency AFP.