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Managing Director of VDMA receives Federal Cross of Merit

 Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Rajesh nathWhere the UK has its knighthood, and France its Legion of Honour, Germany rewards its loyal citizens and foreigners with the Federal Cross of Merit.

 

Germany has conferred the ‘Cross of the Order of Merit’, the highest  civilian honour awarded to individuals for their services to the country, to Mr. Rajesh Nath, Managing Director, VDMA India.

 

The award, also known as Bundesverdienstkreuz or Federal Cross of Merit was instituted in 1951. It is Germany’s only honour that is awarded to both Germans and foreigners in all fields of endeavour. It is the highest tribute paid to individuals for achievements in economic, social, political or intellectual realm.

 

The Cross of Merit along with the certificate signed by the President of the Federal Republic of Germany – Dr. Frank Walter Steinmeier, was handed over to Mr Nath by the Hon’ble Consul General of Germany in Kolkata – Dr. Michael Feiner at the German Consulate on October 6, 2017.

 

Mr. Nath is a Mechanical Engineer followed by International Business Program from IIM Kolkata. He has 27 years of experience in Indo – German trade working with several reputed German and Indian companies in various sectors. During this period the export of German machinery to India has increased almost 6 folds and the number of VDMA members in India now stands at around 550.

 

Since 1999 he has been working with the German Engineering Federation (VDMA) which he is heading as Managing Director. He has played a pivotal role in promoting and strengthening the business and economic ties between India and Germany.

 

RNWe are fortunate enough to have some valuable answers from Managing Director of VDMA India, Mr. Rajesh Nath, regarding his achievement and market strategies. Read On.
 
WPE: You have been an important contributor of VDMA’s success in India. You have also achieved the highest civilian honour award. Can you tell us about this great achievement in detail? Is there any specific contribution behind this accomplishment?

 

Rajesh Nath: Where the UK has its knighthood, and France its Legion of Honour, Germany rewards its loyal citizens and foreigners with the Federal Cross of Merit. Germany has conferred to me the ‘Cross of the Order of Merit’, the highest civilian honour awarded to individuals for their services to the country and I am highly honoured and grateful.

 

The award, also known as Bundesverdienstkreuz or Federal Cross of Merit was instituted in 1951. It is Germany’s only honour that is awarded to both Germans and foreigners in all fields of endeavour. It is the highest tribute paid to individuals for achievements in economic, social, political or intellectual realm.

 

The Cross of Merit comes along with the Certificate of Conferment signed by the President of the Federal Republic of Germany – Dr. Frank Walter Steinmeier. These were handed over by the Hon’ble Consul General of Germany in Kolkata – Dr. Michael Feiner at the German Consulate on 6th October 2017.

 

During my service with the German Engineering Federation (VDMA) since 1999, I have made contribution in promoting and strengthening the business and economic ties between India and Germany. During this period the export of German machinery to India has increased almost 6 folds and the number of VDMA members in India which has more than doubled, now stands at around 550.

 

WPE: Do you have any market strategy specifically for India? If yes, what are the strategies going forward?

 

Rajesh Nath: In 2016 the total import of machinery from Germany reached a volume of Euro 2.97 billion. This was an increase by 1.7% compared with the same period of time in the previous year. Among the machinery sectors, major demand of German equipment was for Power Transmission Engineering (10.8%), Textile Machinery (without dryers) (8%), Machine Tools (6.09%), Plastics and Rubber Machinery (6%) and Valves and Fittings (5.03%).

 

In order to become successful in India companies need to know the characteristics and peculiarities of the Indian market. Here, the VDMA offices in India support the company based on the needs of the members. These support activities include the provision of information on taxation and the Indian market, such as market entry barriers, future market developments or the current legal situation. In addition, the VDMA India office represents the interests of the members, including support for promotion actions, for example through participation in fairs and the organization of symposia, meetings or similar presentation platforms for companies. With four offices in India, VDMA is geared to cater to the needs of the members and acts as an important bridge-head between the German and Indian industry.

 

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