3/4/2008

Bavaria’s Economics Minister leaves for Southern China and Vietnam with a delegation / Trip by Transrapid in Shanghai / Opening of the Representation in Vietnam

Müller: “China and Vietnam are important markets of the future for Bavarian firms”

MUNICH  The Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs, Emilia Müller, has departed on a six-day trade mission to Southern China and Vietnam. “China and Vietnam are recording impressive, dynamic growth rates. Many opportunities are being offered for Bavarian companies in these important and attractive markets of the future. During my trip I intend to explore ways of further intensifying business relations and opening the doors wider to these booming countries for our companies,” Müller commented. The aim was to further step up exports from Bavaria to China and Vietnam. There was still enormous potential here especially for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The roughly 50-strong trade delegation accompanying the Minister consists mainly of companies operating in the fields of infrastructure, environmental technology, mechanical and industrial engineering as well as information and communications technology. Müller: “In these sectors in particular, efficient and innovative companies from Bavaria can offer China and Vietnam a great deal of know-how and competence. I am sure that the meetings and contacts established during my trip will give rise to many new openings for cooperation.”

The itinerary of the trip includes a visit to Shanghai with a trip on the Transrapid and an exchange of information with Shanghai Maglev Transportation Development GmbH, which operates the Transrapid in Shanghai. In addition, a visit to the Shanghai New International Expo Centre is also planned. Economics Minister Müller will then pay a visit to the Bavarian partner province of Guandong in the South of China.

Also on the agenda are political talks with the Government of the Province and a visit to the communal Bavarian booth at the "Water China" environmental trade show in Guangzhou. The companies in the delegation will be offered the chance to explore cooperation with Chinese companies at a cooperation event organized in Guangzhou.

In Vietnam, Müller will open the new Bavarian foreign representation in Ho Chi Minh City. As a contact address for locally based Bavarian companies, the representative office offers competent advice especially about opening up markets and establishing business contacts. The itinerary also includes visits to firms and a meeting of companies in Ho Chi Minh City.

Up to the third quarter of 2007, Bavaria’s volume of trade with China came to € 11.6 billion (+21% compared with the same period of the previous year). Over the same period, bilateral trade with Vietnam totaled € 372.1 million (36.5% up on the previous year). The State of Bavaria has already had a representative office in the Bavarian partner province of Shandong in China for over 10 years.

Source: Invest in Bavaria