Union Minister Piyush Goyal Leads Business Delegation to Germany and Netherlands for Trade Talks

Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal arrived in Berlin on Thursday for a two-day official visit to Germany. The tour forms part of a broader diplomatic and economic itinerary spanning Germany and the Netherlands from October 22 to 27.

Upon his arrival, Goyal was received by India's Ambassador to Germany, Ajit Gupte. According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the minister is leading a delegation of around 100 businesses and startups. The primary objectives of the delegation are to strengthen trade and investment ties, explore new business opportunities, and expand industrial and technological cooperation between India and European partners.

During his time in Germany from October 22 to 24, Goyal will participate in the Berlin Global Dialogue. At the event, he is scheduled to engage with international policymakers and global business leaders to discuss India's macroeconomic stability, manufacturing capabilities, and its role in building resilient global supply chains. Discussions will also explore opportunities arising from the proposed India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

On the sidelines of the dialogue, Goyal will hold high-level bilateral meetings with Germany's Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, as well as the Economic and Financial Policy Advisor and G7/G20 Sherpa at the Federal Chancellery. The talks will focus on expanding bilateral trade, strengthening investment partnerships, and exploring cooperation in advanced manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), green mobility, clean technology, renewable energy, and logistics.

As part of the visit, the Indian business delegation will take part in sectoral roundtables with German chief executive officers and Indian business representatives. These sessions will cover automotive, advanced manufacturing, infrastructure and energy, information technology, AI and services, agri-food, consumer goods, textiles, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and wellness.

Following the conclusion of the Germany leg, Goyal will travel to the Netherlands from October 24 to 27. In The Hague, he will hold bilateral ministerial meetings with the Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate, and the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation. These discussions will concentrate on expanding trade channels and exploring cooperation in green transition initiatives.

Goyal's schedule in the Netherlands also includes engagements with the King's Commissioner of North Holland and members of the Dutch Parliament's committees on foreign trade and European affairs. On October 25, the Indian business delegation will visit the Port of Rotterdam to examine its logistics and supply chain infrastructure.

On October 26, Goyal and the Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation will jointly address businesses from India and the Netherlands at the India-Netherlands Business Forum in The Hague. The forum will be followed by six parallel sectoral roundtables and business-to-business networking sessions. These sessions will focus on agri-food and food processing, high technology and innovation, sustainability and renewable energy, logistics and supply chain connectivity, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, textiles, engineering goods, and services.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry noted that the official visit is designed to deepen India's strategic economic partnerships with both nations and advance industrial and technological collaboration.

"The inclusion of around 100 businesses and startups in this official delegation highlights a concerted effort to build direct bridges between Indian enterprises and European markets. Engaging in high-level discussions around advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and artificial intelligence provides emerging companies with valuable exposure to global supply chains. For Indian startups and SMEs, participating in such international forums creates practical pathways for cross-border expansion, technological collaboration, and integration into the broader European economy." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes