The 101-year-old German Asia Pacific Business Association, known by its German acronym OAV, has set aside tradition in inviting Mr Sinha as the First Asian Guest of honour, at the 81st `Ostasiatisches Liebesmahl' (festive dinner) in the North German Port city of Hamburg this Friday.

Mr Sinha, who will be on his third visit to Germany in the last 15 months, will join the ranks of Germany's Chancellors, Presidents, Economists and Foreign Ministers and top industrialists to deliver the keynote address at the meeting.

Mr Sinha's presence at the five-hour meeting, that usually goes upto midnight, will give him the first opportunity to interact with foreign investors after the presentation of the 2001-02 Budget, which has already been widely welcomed as "Forward looking" by the German businesses and industry. Progressive reduction in import tariffs, planned labour reforms and raising the limit of the foreign equity stake to 49 per cent in the Indian public sector companies, have been specifically mentioned as areas, where the Budget had addressed some of the concerns of the German investors.

Germany is India's fifth biggest foreign investor. "We are anxious to hear Mr Sinha comment on the perspectives for the Indian economy and the German-Indian relationship in the wake of the new Budget," an OAV official said.

(PTI)