Germany 2007 – A Global Trade Tour Brings Together Business Leaders from Georgia, Saxony

Business leaders and legislators from Georgia returned home from Germany last week after a 10-day trade mission to the booming cities of Leipzig and Dresden in Saxony, and Nuremburg in Bavaria. The 29 delegates made vital business contacts and learned more about the growing former East Germany region. The goal of the economic development mission was to raise Georgia’s international business profile and to encourage economic development between the Southeast and Germany, Europe’s largest economy.

“In Germany we met with government officials and top business leaders who are already investing in Georgia and are seeking new opportunities to work with international partners,” said Wayne Reece, president of Reece & Associates, the organizer of Germany 2007 – A Global Trade Tour. “In a competitive global economy it is critical to establish and develop business relationships throughout the world.”

Delegates from Georgia included entrepreneurs and executives from Porsche Cars North America, InterContinental Hotels, Georgia Power, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the Georgia legislature, and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.

Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin joined the group in Leipzig and Nuremberg to underscore Georgia’s active and growing trade relationship with Germany, which is already one of the state’s leading trade partners.

“Germans make up the largest European community in Georgia, and more than 300 German companies have a presence here,” said Mayor Franklin. “Germany is our state’s sixth largest trade partner and we want to see that relationship grow on both sides of the Atlantic.”

In Leipzig, Saxony’s largest city, Mayor Franklin and the trade mission delegation met with Porsche executives and toured their innovative Diamond plant, where they produce the technologically advanced Cayenne SUV. Ten years ago, Porsche relocated its North American headquarters to Atlanta.

Throughout the trip, delegates met with German business executives and elected officials to foster new trade and investment in the Southeastern U.S. and in Germany. Participants met with top-level representatives at Porsche, Qimonda, DHL’s European hub at Leipzig-Halle Airport, and Bio City, a technology incubator anchored by the University of Leipzig. The group also visited the Saxon Parliament, Volkswagen’s “glass factory,” Zwinger Palace, and Moritzburg Castle in Dresden, and the Gewandhaus concert hall in Leipzig.

Since Germany’s reunification in 1990, the state of Saxony now claims the fastest growth in the country, and its robust economy craves international investment and ideas. German delegates from Saxony visited Georgia in 2006 and early 2007 to explore market expansion opportunities in the U.S.

Imports and exports between Georgia and Germany include motor vehicles, airplane parts, electronics, chemicals, medicine, and paper. The tourism and hospitality sector is also generating increasing interest for its growth potential.

Joining Wayne Reece, president of Reece & Associates, for the Germany 2007 trade mission (Sept. 22 – Oct.1) were Jorge Fernandez, vice president of global commerce for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce; Vicki Gordon, senior vice president of InterContinental Hotels; Robin Spratlin, Georgia Power’s general manager of economic development; Georgia Representatives Mike Coan and Ron Stephens; Antje Abshoff with the Georgia Department of Economic Development European office, on behalf of Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue; and Andie Killick with the State of Saxony, on behalf of Economic Affairs Minister Thomas Jurk, who greeted the delegation shortly after their arrival in Germany.

About Reece

Reece & Associates offers personalized services in international business strategies and public affairs, strategic planning, custom communications, promotions, and corporate image building for clients in the United States and abroad. Reece listens to its clients and works to turn their goals and aspirations into reality.

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