Berlin  - The former chief of the German building giant Hochtief AG, Hans Peter Keitel, is to become the new president of the nation's influential federation of industry (BDI), the association announced Thursday.

Keitel is expected to be confirmed in the post at the BDI's annual general meeting in November.

He takes over from the present president Juergen Thumann, who has held the post since January 2005.

Keitel who is a BDI vice president, is also currently the president of the German Building Industry Federation. He was Hochtief chief from 1992 until March 2007. (dpa)