Piyush Goyal to Visit Germany and Netherlands with 100 Indian Businesses and Startups to Strengthen Trade and Investment

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal will undertake an official visit to Germany from October 22 to 24, 2026, followed by the Netherlands from October 24 to 27, 2026. The visit aims to strengthen India’s economic partnerships with two major European economies, expand bilateral trade and investment, and create new opportunities for industrial and technological cooperation.

Around 100 Indian businesses and startups will accompany the Minister, reflecting India’s growing emphasis on connecting domestic enterprises with international markets, advanced manufacturing ecosystems and global supply chains. The delegation will explore opportunities across automotive manufacturing, artificial intelligence, clean energy, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, logistics and emerging technologies.

India to Strengthen Economic and Industrial Cooperation with Germany

During his visit to Berlin, Piyush Goyal will participate in the Berlin Global Dialogue, an international platform bringing together policymakers, industry leaders and economic experts. The Minister will highlight India’s macroeconomic stability, expanding manufacturing capabilities and growing importance in building resilient global supply chains.

Goyal will also hold bilateral discussions with Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy and the Economic and Financial Policy Advisor and G7/G20 Sherpa at the Federal Chancellery. These engagements will focus on strengthening trade and investment relationships while identifying new avenues for collaboration in advanced engineering, green mobility and clean technologies.

The discussions will also examine market access and investment opportunities associated with the ongoing India–European Union Free Trade Agreement negotiations. Deeper industrial cooperation with Germany could support India’s efforts to strengthen domestic manufacturing, encourage technology partnerships and expand its participation in European supply chains.

Indian Companies and Startups to Engage with German Industry Leaders

The Indian business delegation will participate in a parallel programme of sector-specific roundtables involving German chief executives, business representatives and Indian industry leaders. The discussions will cover automotive manufacturing, advanced engineering, infrastructure, energy, information technology, artificial intelligence, agriculture, consumer goods, textiles, healthcare and pharmaceuticals.

An India–Germany Investment Roundtable, organised with Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI), will provide Indian enterprises with opportunities to understand the German investment environment and explore establishing operations in the country. The programme will also facilitate interactions with German research institutions, innovation organisations and policy think tanks.

Special attention will be given to industrial transformation, deep technology, microelectronics and skills development. These engagements are expected to encourage cooperation between Indian startups, established industrial enterprises and Germany’s advanced research and manufacturing ecosystem.

Netherlands Visit to Focus on Trade, Green Energy and Logistics

Following his engagements in Germany, Piyush Goyal will travel to the Netherlands for government-to-government discussions aimed at expanding economic cooperation and strengthening bilateral trade channels.

In The Hague, the Minister will meet the Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate and the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation. The discussions will explore opportunities in trade, investment and green transition initiatives, including industrial sustainability and renewable energy technologies.

Goyal will also engage with the King’s Commissioner of North Holland and members of Dutch parliamentary committees dealing with foreign trade and European affairs. These meetings will provide additional opportunities to strengthen institutional cooperation and expand India’s economic engagement with the Netherlands.

Indian Delegation to Visit Port of Rotterdam

A major component of the Netherlands programme will be the Indian business delegation’s visit to the Port of Rotterdam on October 25, 2026. The visit will offer Indian enterprises an opportunity to examine the port’s logistics infrastructure, cargo-handling systems and integrated supply chain operations.

Rotterdam is Europe’s largest seaport and a major gateway for international trade. Its extensive connectivity with European industrial and consumer markets makes it particularly relevant to Indian companies seeking to expand exports, improve logistics efficiency and establish stronger distribution networks across Europe.

The visit will also support discussions on modern port infrastructure, supply chain connectivity and logistics technologies that can contribute to India’s expanding international trade.

India–Netherlands Business Forum to Promote Sectoral Partnerships

On October 26, Piyush Goyal will address the India–Netherlands Business Forum in The Hague alongside the Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation. The forum will bring together businesses from both countries to explore investment partnerships, industrial cooperation and new commercial opportunities.

The event will feature six parallel sectoral roundtables covering agri-food and food processing, high technology and innovation, sustainability and renewable energy, logistics and supply chain connectivity, manufacturing and engineering, and services. Pharmaceuticals and textiles will also feature prominently in the discussions.

Business-to-business networking sessions will enable Indian and Dutch companies to establish direct contacts, identify prospective partners and explore opportunities for technology cooperation, investment and market expansion.

Expanding India’s Industrial and Technological Partnerships with Europe

The participation of around 100 businesses and startups gives the visit a strong industry-oriented dimension. By combining ministerial engagements with sectoral discussions, investment roundtables and direct business interactions, India aims to translate its expanding economic relationships with Germany and the Netherlands into practical commercial opportunities.

Germany’s strengths in advanced manufacturing, automotive engineering and industrial research complement India’s expanding production capabilities and technology sector. Similarly, the Netherlands offers opportunities for cooperation in logistics, agricultural technology, semiconductor-related industries, renewable energy and international trade infrastructure.

The four-day engagements in Germany and subsequent Netherlands programme will strengthen India’s outreach to European industry and investment institutions. The initiative also reinforces India’s broader efforts to diversify export markets, attract advanced technologies and position Indian enterprises as competitive partners in international manufacturing and supply chains.

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References

Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal to Visit Germany and the Netherlands to Strengthen Trade, Investment and Industrial Cooperation.

Published: 21 October 2026, 5:38 PM IST.

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