On 4th August 2008, Walter Stechel will complete 2 years in India as Consul General og the Federal Republic of Germany in Mumbai. Incidentally, this has been his first posting in Asia. Mr. Stechel’s office in Mumbai covers jurisdiction which encompasses Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujrat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra and has an approximate population of over 250 million people. Here, he shares his views not only on education, tourism and trade opportunities in Germany but also his impressions of emerging India.

What is the role of your office in areas of trade, investment and tourism between Germany and India?
We have more of a coordinating role than actually doing everything on our own. For example, the Indo-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce is a pillar for economic relations between the two nations. They are supported by the German government and they deal primarily with trade and investment issues. The Max-Mueller Bhavan is our centre for cultural relations. The German National Tourist Office (GNTO) in Delhi covers the tourism aspect. Our office tries to utilize these organizations to their utmost and coordinate their activities throughout my jurisdiction.

How does your office promote exchange between the two countries in terms of research and education?
Research and education are main focus areas of our institution. When Chancellor Angela Merkel visited India last year, she flagged off the Science Express that came to Mumbai recently. She also initiated the Indo-German Science Centre that will be launched in Delhi. She is trying to further strengthen the existing Indo-German cooperation. We provide scholarships through the German Academic Exchange Service which aids Indian students interested in studying in Germany. In addition we maintain a strong network of scholars who have worked in their respective fields in Germany. These are the networks through which we are channelling our cooperation. We are also assisting in setting up partnerships between Universities in India and in Germany.

Is it mandatory for students who want to study in Germany to have some knowledge of German before they leave or are the education programmes conducted also in English?
There are some programmes in English but it is definitely easier if they have some knowledge of German before they arrive in Germany. Most Universities conduct their lessons in German so I would suggest that prospective students use the good services of Max-Mueller Bhavan. It is a good institute to get a working knowledge of German.


What is the investment relationship between India and Germany? What are the significant areas of investment between the two countries?
I feel this was one of the big developments over the last few years where we not only had substantial German investment in India but also an increase in Indian investment in Germany. German investment in India is definitely growing. Big companies like VW, Daimler, BMW and SAP are setting up plants and investing heavily in cities like Chennai, Bangalore and Pune. Many small and medium-sized companies are setting up subsidiaries in India. To a large extent the investments are in the fields of automobiles, pharmaceuticals and specialized machinery. Prospects from the service fields such as insurance and banking are numerous as well. Allianz is teaming up with Bajaj. Deutsche Bank has a presence in India. More and more banks are setting up representative offices to service German interests in the Indian market and accompany their clients to India.

There is also a surge of Indian companies investing in Germany. Reliance has bought Trevira. Dr. Reddy's has bought Betapharm. Mahindra & Mahindra has bought Jeco and Schoeneweiss. Germany is located in the heart of Europe and a variety of companies are looking to Germany for access to the European market. There are opportunities in Continental Europe, from Germany to Scandinavia and onwards to Eastern Europe. I think these are exciting times for investment and trade in both directions. We should not forget that Indo-German trade has doubled over the last few years. We now have 12 billion Euros of bilateral trade. In 2005, it was 5 billion Euros. The growth has been tremendous.

Germany is generally perceived to be an excellent destination for trade and technology, but tourism has always taken a backseat. What are the initiatives taken by your office to ensure that there is growth in tourism traffic to Germany?
I think that impression of Germany is slowly changing because more and more Indians are discovering the beauty of continental Europe. We see it in Berlin and the Black Forest where you have a large number of tourists coming from India. I feel that we are achieving good results. We cooperate with Lufthansa which is flying more and more frequently between Germany and India. From May, they also fly to Munich and from July onwards they are flying from Pune directly to Frankfurt. We are cooperating closely with the German National Tourist Office in promoting tourism to Germany. I feel that no tour of Europe is complete without visiting Germany.

As you just mentioned, any tour of Europe is incomplete without visiting Germany. What according to you are destinations and routes for specific types of visitors; for instance, families?
There is a whole range of theme parks in Germany that are attractive to families from Europa Park in the south to FANTASIALAND near Cologne. Children are also fond of the sea so the North Sea or the slightly milder Baltic Sea are attractive destinations. We ourselves travel with our children to these beaches. They are a bit rougher than Indian beaches. The water is not always as warm and the days are not always as sunny, but it is very invigorating and refreshing to go there. The Black Forest may be nice for smaller children to experience the natural beauty of Germany. You can also take holidays on farms where you live in comfortable apartments and have the experience of interacting with farm animals and even riding on a tractor. That is always very fascinating for children.

Can you shed light on some of the very innovative routes that Germany has; for example, Toy Road, Castle Road and Romantic Road?
There are endless routes in Germany which bring together locations under a particular theme. For example, there are the fairy-tale routes that visit locations known from the Grimm Brothers fairy-tales. And as you have mentioned, the romantic route covers picturesque and beautiful cities in the south of Germany like Rothenburg. There are also routes for bicycling on demarcated bicycle trails along the Rhine, Danube and Elbe rivers which is a beautiful way to discover a country. You can ride your bicycle leisurely along the river and stop whenever you feel comfortable and experience Germany away from the crowds and the big cities.

There is a trend where people go to France to learn French or go to Italy to learn Italian. What are the possible areas of special interest tourism in Germany? Are there similar trends for special interest opportunities like religious or sports tours?
Yes, most definitely. There are numerous opportunities for learning German in Germany. There is something for every interest. The health conscious visitor can go to the German spas where they can experience the healing waters and excellent spa facilities. There are many pilgrimage sites throughout Germany for religious travellers. For the adventurers, we offer bicycle and hiking tours which are extremely well-organized and the routes are very well-prepared so that you do not get lost in the deep forest. If you are more culturally-minded, you can experience operas and museums in our cultural centres like Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Munich and Stuttgart. We also offer specialised courses for particular interests such as sailing or football.

Tell us about the Christmas Markets in Germany.
All over Germany, cities take pride in their Christmas Markets. They can be seen in many places throughout Europe but the original Markets are still in Nordberg and Dresden. Cologne as well has a beautiful Christmas Market. It is a highlight during the gloomy winter period where you can see the lights and the Christmas decorations. You can also experience something we call Gemutlichkeit.

I have read that Gemutlichkeit has been incorporated into the English dictionary. Can you elaborate on this term?
Gemutlichkeit is basically the feeling of being completely relaxed and comfortable with your friends in a hospitable environment. It is about sitting in a beautiful German guesthouse with a glass of wine and having a nice chat with your friends. The furniture is comfortable and you feel like at home. You have that same feeling when you go to a Christmas Market even though it is outside. It has this combination of light, environment and warmth. In spite of the winter, there is still a very hospitable feeling. The same environment exists in the smaller hotels of Germany. They make you feel at home and very welcome. It is basically a feeling of home away from home.

Indians perceive tourism in Germany to exist in only two areas: the Black Forest and Munich or the Bavarian region. What are the other areas that may be of interest, especially in Eastern Germany?
I think if you only experience the Black Forest area and Munich, it would be a pity. Germany offers so much more than the Black Forest and Bavaria. The Rhine Valley is traditionally very popular. It is also very beautiful which is why it is a World Heritage Site. When you take a boat from Mainz to Cologne it is simply an amazing experience with the castles dotting the mountainsides. Dresden and the Saxony region also offer so much to the visitor. Dresden itself is a beautiful city, and it is also surrounded by breathtaking landscapes from the sandstone mountains to the Elbe river. The lake areas of northern Germany are wonderful for cycling. The North Sea and the island of Sylt are attractive locations for those who love beaches and the sea. Of course you cannot forget the other great cities such as Hamburg and our capital city, Berlin.

Which is your preferred tourist destination in Germany during the summer and the winter?
During the summer, we always go to the North Sea. That is a tradition. I also enjoy visiting the mountains during autumn where I can go hiking which I very much enjoy. During the winter, my choice would be to go skiing in the Alps of Bavaria. That is simply the best.

In August, you will have been in India for two years. What has been your overall experience so far?
India is an absolutely fascinating country. It has something for all the senses. The diversity of people, religion and culture is amazing. As an economist, it is fascinating for me to see a country developing at such a rapid pace and having such a great influence on the world market. I am very fortunate to be personally experiencing such a great feat. I am amazed and fascinated by the spirit and dynamics of Mumbai as well as at its versatility, spices and flavour.

Which are your preferred places in India for taking a holiday?
It is unfair that you have asked this before I have seen the whole of India yet. We have however enjoyed going to Kerala, Rajasthan and of course, Agra. We enjoyed Fatehpur Sikri very much. Delhi is a fascinating city. I look forward to visiting the mountains, particularly of Shimla. There are quite a few places on our 'To Do' list such as Kolkata, Chennai and many others. I hope my time here is long enough to visit all these interesting places.

What is the awareness of India in Germany in terms of trade and tourism?
I feel that India has been more and more in the focus of Germany during the last 6-8 years. When reform was initiated in India in 1991, it took some time to come into effect and open up the economy. But since the early 2000s, India has definitely been a priority for German companies. We have an increasing number of German delegations visiting India. These include corporate and government officials. India is on the map as a viable business centre and trading partner.

Culturally, India is well recognized in Germany. You can find exclusive Bollywood sections at video stores throughout Germany. There is a channel that is regularly showing Bollywood films. Indian literature is also very renowned in Germany. Before I came here, I met Vikram Sheth when he was introducing his book, Two Lives. India was the partner country of the 2006 Book Fair in Frankfurt. The awareness of India in Germany is already very substantial and I expect it to increase in coming years.

What aspect of your role as Consul General do you find most interesting and most challenging?
The most interesting aspect is the possibility to accompany German companies who come to invest in India and be available as an advisor to Indian companies going to Germany. The most challenging aspect is that I have an area covering probably over 250 million people under my jurisdiction, all of which I have to administer from Mumbai. So at times I travel to places in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and so on. Dedicating my time equally to all issues and places becomes a challenge when Mumbai by itself is so active and dynamic. It is occasionally difficult to step aside and concentrate on the other areas throughout India.

In terms of the seriousness of the global environment, what role does Germany have regarding this and what are your personal opinions on handling this situation in places like India?
I think it is a common threat to all of us. We all have to face the consequences of global warming, but from different perspectives. Germany is a mature economy. It is using its technical and financial resources to reduce its emissions. India is an emerging economy that is increasing its use of fossil fuels and its emissions of CO2. The question is how we are all going to deal with this issue. I think India will increase its climate-changing emissions whereas Germany will reduce its emissions. But in total we must find ways to reduce the global emissions. That is a challenge we all have to face. This deals with the issues of energy efficiencies and alternative sources of energy where Germany is very strong. This is definitely a global pursuit.

Lastly, your message to the readers who plan to visit Germany in the near future.
You can expect a country that is very fascinating, hospitable and appealing. We have something for everyone; from the culturally-inclined to the adventurous to the people who just need to get away from their hectic routine and relax.

Berlin Modernism Housing Estates included in the World Heritage List
On 7 July 2008, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee decided at its 32nd session to inscribe the Berlin Modernism Housing Estates as the 33rd German site on the World Heritage List. The Committee stated that the six listed estates represented a new type of social housing which had a great impact on the further development of architecture and urban planning. Falkenberg Garden City, the Schillerpark estate, the Hufeisensiedlung in Britz, the Carl Legien estate, as well as the Weisse Stadt and Siemensstadt estates, were built between 1913 and 1934. The designs by architects such as Bruno Taut, Hans Scharoun and Walter Gropius with their light and airy flats, spacious gardens and modern sanitary installations were a welcome change from the tenement housing prevalent at the time. The clear forms of classic modernism left their mark on 20th century architecture.

UNESCO World Heritage Convention
The UNESCO World Heritage Convention has been protecting the world's cultural and natural heritage since 1976. The Convention is the most important international instrument for conserving cultural and natural sites "of outstanding universal value". Sites are only included in the World Heritage List if they fulfil the criteria uniqueness and authenticity in the case of cultural sites, integrity in the case of natural sites enshrined in the Convention and if a convincing management plan has been drawn up. The List currently comprises some 850 natural and cultural sites and the World Heritage Committee is deciding on a further 47 nominations at its annual session. Germany has been a State Party to the World Heritage Convention since 1976. By signing the Convention, a state undertakes to protect World Heritage Sites within its borders and to conserve them for future generations.

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