China and India, the Dragon and the Tiger, are home to about 2.5bn people, more than a third of the world's total population. In the last few years, both countries have experienced dramatic economic growth. While Germany's economic performance declined by around 5 per cent last year in the wake of the global financial crisis, the Indian and Chinese economies posted gains of roughly 8 per cent. In addition, the recovery now under way worldwide is being driven primarily by emerging countries - above all, by India and China.

Both countries are benefiting from the presence of a relatively young and increasingly well-educated workforce as well as from major investments in infrastructure, science and research. Other countries are watching these developments with respect and admiration - and in some cases, perhaps, with unease. There is frequent talk of a shift in the centre of economic gravity, of a displacement of the global axes of power. Lurking not far below the surface here are fears about markets, access to raw materials, jobs and continued prosperity.

But these fears are unjustified. The booming economies of China and India harbour huge opportunities for established industrial countries like Germany. For despite the extraordinary progress that both countries have made over the last few years, each still has vast needs in many areas - ranging from road, rail and air networks to water and power supplies to healthcare infrastructure. For example, within the next 20 years, India alone will have to build more than 200 new airports.