• Unique collaboration to provide access to state-of-the-art packaging and financial support to rural farmers
• Initiative to boost packaging standards
• Bosch to also train farmers in Post Harvest Management

Bangalore, June 23, 2007: The Packaging Division of Bosch today announced the launch of Bosch Mobile Agro Pack, a unique initiative that will demonstrate, help and empower farmers in rural India adapt to state-of-the-art packaging solutions. The Bosch Mobile Agro Pack will travel to interior parts of India equipped with a vertical bagger machine which can pack the most common solid food items like grains, seeds, rice and spices. Trained personnel will demonstrate and train farmers in the use of the packaging equipment. Through a unique collaboration with leading Indian Banks, financial assistance will be provided to the farmers for purchase of the equipment. The Bosch Mobile Agro Pack was formally inaugurated by Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, father of the green revolution, M.S.
Swaminathan Research Foundation and Shri. Subodh Kant Sahai, Honourable Minister of State for Food Processing Industries, Govt. of India.

“We are still primarily an agricultural economy and with the estimated growth and development of the grocery retail industry, there are tremendous opportunities for Indian farmers to improve their livelihood through an investment in better processes and technologies,” said Mr. Thomas Buehler, Business Head for Bosch Packaging Technology in India. “By taking our technology to the farmer’s doorstep, we are helping him to improve the quality and standards of his packaging and become more competitive. Therefore, we are
glad to partner in the progress of India’s agrarian economy.”

This programme will also help farmers become more self sufficient and sell directly to agriretail sector, thereby reducing any losses in the supply chain, while ensuring a better price advantage for consumers. “This will benefit farmers and consumers as the food supply chain
will gain in cheaper products (by minimizing traders), higher quality products (as packed by producers) and fresher food supplies,” added Mr. Buehler. According to estimates, with 10-20% of food grains attacked by rodents and another 40% rotten due to poor storage and
transportation, this initiative will help minimize the losses.

The Bosch Mobile Agro Pack will train self help groups, NGOs and government training facilities who will be assisted financially to improve their income through training as well. Through its unique collaboration with Canara Bank, Andhra Bank, Indian Bank, Indian
Overseas bank, UCO Bank, SBI (Indore) and Syndicate Bank, the initiative will facilitate onthe-spot loans to farmers who need financial support to procure these equipments. With Bosch Packaging being world leaders in packaging technological solutions, the rural farmer
through educational training is empowered to learn and earn, and thereafter contributing to income generation. After its official flag off in Bangalore, the Bosch Mobile Agro Pack will travel to Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar
Pradesh, West Bengal and Assam.

The Indian Agriculture Industry is on the brink of a revolution that will modernize the entire food chain, as the total food production in India is likely to double in the next ten years. The Food & Groceries segment alone is roughly estimated to be about Rs 2,75,000 crores, out of which only 1% belongs to the organized branded market. This segment is a major contributor – about 75% to India’s fastest growing organized retail market.

Bosch’s support to farmers in the Post Harvest Management sector – packaging will help contribute to the GDP through value addition. This is at a time when the GDP growth from the agricultural sector is of prime concern for India.

About the Bosch Group
The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. In the areas of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology, some 260,000 associates generated sales of 43.7 billion euros in fiscal 2006. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 300 subsidiary and regional companies in over 50 countries. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and sales network are the foundation for further growth. Bosch spends more than three billion euros each year for research and development, and in 2006 applied for over 3,000 patents worldwide. The company was set up in Stuttgart in
1886 by Robert Bosch (1861-1942) as “Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering.”

The special ownership structure of Robert Bosch GmbH guarantees the entrepreneurial freedom of the Bosch Group, making it possible for the company to plan over the long term and to undertake significant up-front investments in the safeguarding of its future. Ninety-two percent of the share capital of Robert Bosch GmbH is held by Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH, a charitable foundation. The majority of voting rights are held by Robert Bosch Industrietreuhand KG, an industrial trust. The entrepreneurial ownership functions are carried out by the trust. The remaining shares are held by the Bosch family and by Robert Bosch GmbH.

Additional information can be accessed at www.bosch.com

About Motor Industries Company Limited
Motor Industries Company Limited (Mico) is the flagship of the Bosch Group subsidiaries in India. Founded in 1951, Mico has grown over the years to become the largest auto component manufacturer in the country.

The Bosch Group holds 60.55% stake in Mico and has planned a sizeable investment to introduce and manufacture new world class technology for the Indian market. It is headquartered in Bangalore with manufacturing facilities in Bangalore, Nashik, Naganathapura and Jaipur. All the 4 plants are TS 16949 and ISO 14001 certified.

With strength of over 10,000 associates, the company has its presence across three business sectors of automotive technology, industrial technology and consumer goods and building technology. It has a national network spanning across 1000 towns and cities in India with over 4,000 authorised representations which ensure widespread availability of both products and after-sales services.

Additional information can be accessed at www.boschindia.com