Škoda Group has celebrated participation in a set of two major business events in both India and Azerbaijan.
In India, company representatives took part in a series of business discussions focused on the modernisation of rail transport, development of industrial cooperation and opportunities for the application of advanced signalling technologies, including the European Train Control System (ETCS); and in Azerbaijan, the Group discussed opportunities related to metro modernisation, rolling stock maintenance and cooperation with local partners.
Indian Business
As one of Škoda’s key markets; India, according to the Group, is poised to offer ‘significant potential for long-term growth’. To aid this, the company participated in a business mission organised by the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic, accompanying Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlíček on his official visit to the country.
During this visit, the Škoda Group was represented on the delegation by its CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors , Petr Novotný. The mission programme itself included a number of business meetings with representatives of the Indian government, major industrial companies and potential business partners, including Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and BEML Limited. It also included meetings with India's Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, who previously served as Minister of Railways, with discussions focusing on the further development of India’s railway transport, opportunities for technological and industrial cooperation, and the potential for advanced train control and signalling systems, including ETCS.
Our ambition is to develop stable partnerships with major Indian companies that will be based on a combination of our technological expertise and knowledge of the local market.”]
Thus far, Škoda has begun developing a long-term strategy with TATA AutoComp Systems in the Indian market. This aims to envisage a gradual expansion of local industrial presence, the involvement of Indian partners and the transfer of technological know-how. This approach is also aligned with the Government of India’s Make in India initiative, which promotes domestic manufacturing and the development of industrial capabilities.
Azerbaijan
As well as its activities in India; Škoda also participated in a business mission to Azerbaijan. This visit was organised by the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic, with the participation of Minister of Transport Ivan Bednárik.
During the trip, the Group was represented by Tomáš Ignačák, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Škoda Group. Discussions focused primarily on opportunities for cooperation in modernising the local metro and railway transport systems, developing servicing and maintenance capabilities, and providing technical training, with the Group aiming to establish long-term partnerships with local companies, which could in the future also include the localisation of selected industrial activities, technology transfer and the creation of new employment opportunities.
Both missions form part of Škoda Group’s long-term strategy to strengthen its presence in a range of international markets, as well as develop new mobility solutions that combine modern rolling stock, digital technologies, signalling systems and services throughout the entire lifecycle of the vehicles.
