The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Austrian Ambassador in Chennai

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Friday, May 09, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Austrian Ambassador in Chennai

Sarah Hiddleston

CHENNAI: Austrian Ambassador Ferdinand Maultaschl was in Chennai on Thursday to call on the Chief Secretary and the Governor to boost cooperation between Austria and the State.

“Tamil Nadu is a State with a lot of weight,” Dr Maultaschl told The Hindu. He said he had taken note of expressions of interest from the government on energy, in particular solar power, infrastructure, mining and tourism. He also said Austria may be able to provide solutions to Chennai’s clogged waterways based on its experiences cleaning the River Danube, which originates in Germany and passes through Austria before flowing through several Eastern European countries towards the Black Sea.

19 joint ventures

Austria has 19 joint ventures with companies in the State including those in leather, brick, turbines and chemicals. Dr Maultaschl highlighted the leading water treatment plant, VA Tech Wabag, as an example of a successful venture. The Austrian company was acquired by Siemens in 2005 but bought over by VA Wabag Ltd (India), a subsidiary of the original, in November last year, reuniting markets in Europe and Asia.

The two-way trade between India and Austria has reached over $1billion. Areas for improved cooperation were identified last year at economic forums organised with FICCI in Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.

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