The Consul General of Federal Republic of Germany, Hans B Sauerteig said that some of the German industrial majors like BMW, Siemens and Mercedez Benz is planning to invest in Tamil Nadu in another ten years. He was speaking at the inaugural of an extension building at Auroville Institute of Applied Technology. “Germany has taken the lead in becoming the number one trade partner with India in the European Union. Small-scale industries have an indispensable role in the industrial development of India. The industries produce a range of 7,500 products which are 40 per cent of the total production and 35 per cent of the total exports of India,” said the Counsul General. The Consul General stressed the importance of imparting vocational education to the upcoming labour force to find themselves employable amidst the developments in industrial sector.