State, Bavaria focus on ties

BANGALORE: Karnataka, along with the State of Bavaria of Germany, is going to participate in the regional leaders conference meet slated to be held at Sao Paulo (Brazil) in April, Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said on Thursday. Speaking at an interactive session with the 22-member Bavarian Parliamentary Delegation, the chief minister said both Karnataka and Bavaria have great potential to carry forward, deepen and strengthen the already forged relationship and focus on industry and commerce, film and media, science, research and environment sectors. “It is heartening to note that Germany in general and Bavaria in particular is a much sought after destination for vocational and skill training. Our aim is to have an army of skilled work force in order to ensure a fully developed state by 2020,” the chief minister said in his brief address.Sadananda Gowda said the State had commitments for investment to the tune of 87 million US dollars in the 2010 global investors meet and invited Bavarian industries to take part in a big way in the GIM 2012 slated to be held in June. “Though Bavaria is an agro-based economy, we will offer you opportunities in agro-based industries for investment,” the chief minister added. Echoing similar views, Dr Ursula Mannle, head of the Bavarian delegation said that the State of Bavaria will eagerly look forward for strengthening of ties between the two states and also expanding the scope of understanding. “Apart from the subjects that are stated in the MoU that was signed in 2007, we are looking for thrust on tourism, especially health tourism,” she added. Chief Secretary S V Ranganath’s presentation of Karnataka’s strengths and opportunities in the beginning paved the way for the interaction.