Germany: Top Exporter, Pioneering Role in the Energy Revolution, Open to Investors

Entrepreneur trip and investor event held by Germany Trade & Invest in Toronto and Chicago

BERLIN, Oct. 22, 2012 /CNW/ - German exports rose unexpectedly in August - in a positive sense. Exports jumped 2.4 percent, far outperforming expectations for a drop of 0.5 percent. Domestically, government and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are embracing more collaborative ways of working together. With the newly announced "SME energy revolution initiative," the Federal Ministry for the Environment, the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) and the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH) have agreed to intensify their dialogue with one other in order to increase the pace of clean energy growth. The German economy is sound and an effective and proactive dialogue exists between the government and the economy. These are perfect conditions for foreign companies wishing to invest in Germany. Germany Trade & Invest will promote Germany on October 23 in Toronto and on October 25 in Chicago. Above all, the new German federal states are particularly attractive.

"A current example of the efficiency and speed of business and management in the new federal states is the recently completed photovoltaic project in Brandenburg Neuhardenberg. In just five weeks, it became the home of Germany's largest photovoltaic plant. 145 megawatts of electricity will be generated in the future; enough to supply 48,000 households. Taking this project from idea to completion took only half a year," said Dr. Jürgen Friedrich, Chief Executive of Germany Trade & Invest.

However, the system must still be connected to the grid, which will probably take until the end of this year. The success of the photovoltaic system is therefore the same as for the energy revolution in general: while much is going well, there are still problems. From the challenge of integrating offshore wind farms within the electric grid system, which limits its expansion, to the increase in energy efficiency within the economy up to how one can reduce the overall energy consumption are just a few of the questions that remain open.

"This is not surprising, for Germany is continuing to play a pioneering role. Therefore, investing in this country has become all the more interesting. In Germany, technologies of the future are just being developed, but expertise from abroad will be urgently needed. And good business will indeed deliver both points," continued Dr. Jürgen Friedrich

Germany Trade & Invest is the foreign trade and inward investment agency of the Federal Republic of Germany. The organization advises foreign companies seeking to expand into the German market. It supports German companies that seek to enter foreign markets, with foreign trade information.

SOURCE: Germany Trade and Invest

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