Interview with Mike D. Batra, Managing Director of India Consulting Dr. Wamser + Batra GmbH and foreign representative of Thüringen International in India, published on June 17.06.2016, XNUMX in the Thüringen International newsletter: [Extra edition foreign representative]

Mr. Batra, please briefly introduce yourself and the service you offer to Thuringian companies.

“As managing director, I, together with my partner Dr. Johannes Wamser has been Dr. since 2007. Wamser + Batra GmbH, a consulting and management company specializing in India with locations in Germany (Bochum), the Netherlands, Switzerland and India (Delhi, Bangalore, Pune). With around 55 employees, we primarily support SMEs in the planning, implementation, control and optimization of business activities and projects in India. Our strength is based, on the one hand, on many years of experience that we have gained in over 250 projects, and on the other hand on the fact that we work within our 4 specialist areas - WB market solutions®, WB human resources®, WB finance & compliance®, WB turnaround management ® – develop an individual solution tailored to each customer.”

Does your offer involve costs for Thuringian companies?

“Some services, such as an initial market check for India for Thuringian companies’ products, are available to companies free of charge. In addition, if necessary, there are further options for support for Thuringian companies with reduced fees.”

Are you also active for companies in other federal states?

“Yes, our customers are located in all parts of Germany as well as in Switzerland and occasionally in other European countries. Even though a particular focus is on SMEs in the Ruhr area, we maintain good customer relationships with a number of companies in Baden-Württemberg and northern Germany, for example.”

India's economy has recently recovered and gained momentum. Economic growth was 2014 percent in the 2015/7,4 financial year. Despite structural deficiencies, India remains one of the most rapidly expanding economies in the world. In your opinion, how can Thuringian companies benefit from this development?

“In addition to good sales opportunities for machines and systems, the Indian market has high potential in sectors such as medical technology, lasers and optics - areas in which leading Thuringian technology companies have made a name for themselves over generations and thus have an advantage. If there is careful preparation for market entry that is tailored to the respective product, Thuringian companies can participate in the growth of the Indian market.”

For which sectors is it worth investing in the Indian market in the medium term?

“In addition to the sectors mentioned above – mechanical and plant engineering, medical technology, lasers and optics – areas such as the automotive industry and the energy industry have good opportunities in the Indian market. Ultimately, it is not just these large industries for which a commitment to India is worthwhile: the commitment can also pay off for a niche provider if they can identify potential in the Indian market and know how to adapt and position their product accordingly.”

You have been working for us as a foreign representative since May of this year. Do you already have contacts with the Thuringian economy?

“In the past few years we have already had contact with around 30 Thuringian companies and have already worked for some of them in India, especially for companies in the laser and optics industry.”

What do Thuringian companies have to pay attention to if they want to develop the Indian sales market?

“Generally speaking, we repeatedly observe the following three obstacles that companies encounter when working on the Indian market: a lack of market intelligence such as an incorrect assessment of the market size, no systematic market cultivation and a lack of transparency in local activities. It is also essential for Thuringian companies to counteract these pitfalls through a realistic, fact-based market assessment and a carefully prepared market entry.”