KOTRA and DKW at the Hannover Messe

The Hannover Messe is the largest trade fair for industry in the world. From 20 to 24 April 2009, a total of 13 specialist exhibitions were held under the roof of the Hannover Messe. The sectors automation, drive technology, energy, surface engineering and micro-systems technology were represented especially well at the Hannover Messe.

As one of the most innovative states in Asia, Korea was this year's partner country of the Hannover Messe. Under the motto "Make it Work", Korea showcased its top technological products for the European market - a market, in which Korean firms intend to establish an even stronger position in the near future. With approximately 210 Korean exhibitors taking part in the Hannover Messe, this was Korea's largest representation at a trade fair outside its own borders.

As part of the Hannover Messe, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) - a partner organisation of the DKW - hosted the "Business Opportunities in Korea Forum 2009" on 20 and 21 April 2009. A distinguished team of experts hosted the Forum. Interested attendees were provided with the opportunity for a lively exchange of information: Presentations, seminars and meetings provided details about the economic situation in Korea, business opportunities for renewable energies and automation as well as economic incentives for investment in Korea. One part of the forum was dedicated solely to renewable energies, an area in which Korea wants to make an even stronger mark in the future - not least because of the country's comprehensive "Green New Deal" economic stimulus package.

Distinguished personalities participated in the Forum - among them the Korean Minister of Knowledge and Economy Dr. Youn-Hoo Lee, the President of KOTRA Hwan-Eik Cho, the Secretary General of the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul Jürgen Wöhler, the Head of New and Renewable Energy Research Division of the Korea Institution of Energy Research Dr. Yong-Heack Kang and Prof. Dr. Hong-Seok Park from the School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering of the University of Ulsan. Further more, outstanding business representatives like Dr. Byoung-June Kim (Samsung Electronics), Dr. Jin-Hyung Park (Samsung Heavy Industries), Günther Klopsch (Siemens), Jörg Walberer (SolarWorld), Kyo-Sun Oh (LS Industrial Systems), Dr. Dee-Kern Kang (KUKA Robotics Korea) as well as Anders Søe-Jensen and Kund Bjarne Hansen (both from VESTAS) document the intense interest, which the Korean and German economies took in the forum.
 

Distinguished guests at the KOTRA Forum (from left to right): Korean Minister for Knowledge and Economy Dr. Youn-Hoo Lee, European President of KOTRA Kyungsun Min, President of KOTRA Hwan-Eik Cho, Vice-President Business Development Asia-Pacific/Middle East of Siemens AG (Industry Sector) Günther Klopsch, General Manager of the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul Jürgen Wöhler, General Manager of DKW Dr. Bernhard Schraut.



At the end of the first day of the event, which was attended by 300 participants, KOTRA and DKW invited their guests to a dinner. Dr. Bernhard Schraut (General Manager of DKW as well as Tax Partner and Market Leader Korea at KPMG in Frankfurt a. M.) was representing the DKW together with Jürgen Wöhler (Board Member of DKW as well as General Manager of the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul).

Approximately 200 guests were welcomed in speeches by Dr. Youn-Hoo Lee (Korean Minister of Knowledge and Economy), Hwan-Eik Cho (President of KOTRA) and Dr. Bernhard Schraut (General Manager of DKW). In his speech, Dr. Schraut emphasised the compatibility of green technology and economic growth, referring to the opportunities of technological cooperation between Korean and German business communities.
 

Dr. Bernhard Schraut expresses his view that environmental protection, green technology and economic growth are not contrary to each other. 



After the speeches, the dinner gave the guests the chance to get to know one another and exchange personal experiences in a relaxed atmosphere. It was a pleasant end of the first day of the trade fair for many of the guests.

The following articles about the Hannover Messe and its partner country Korea have been published in German newspapers. They include statements of Jürgen Wöhler and Dr. Bernhard Schraut:

• Südkorea fühlt sich Deutschland eng verbunden,
  Source: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung dated 20 April 2009

• Südkorea startet die grüne Welle,
  Source: Handelsblatt dated 17/18/19 April 2009