Economy, Technology & Environment

Enlarge image Business and Technology in Germany
Germany lies at the centre of Europe and offers excellent access not just to a prosperous domestic market of 82 million inhabitants, but also to the Common Market of the European Union with its 27 Member States and 500 Million people. Germany is Europe’s powerhouse, and globally it is the fourth largest economy. Gross National Prduct (GDP) in 2010 stood at 2,476 Billion Euro (30,350 Euro GDP per capita).
Germany is a fully developed, service centred economy; 71 percent of economic activity happen in the services sector. At the sime time, production and industry continue to be of prime importance and form the basis for Germany’s excellent reputation as an outstanding export nation: Anually, Germany exports products valuing approximately 1 trillion Euro, among them in particular technologically advanced items such as vehicles and parts, machinery and chemical products.
More than 10,000 foreign companies operate in Germany, with more than 2 million employees and an annual turnover of more than 750 billion Euros. Foreign investors and entrepreneurs see Germany as a prime location in terms of infrastructure, logistics, research and development as well as design. Especially when it comes to the the framework and the conditions for R&D, Germany scores high marks, which underscores the country’s high competitiveness with regards to future technologies.
The Federal Government in its latest estimates expects real GDP-growth to be at 2.9 percent in 2011, slowing to 1 percent in 2012, relying largely on growing domestic consumption. The unemployment rate is around 7 percent this year, and inflation in check at 2%.

Technology „Made in Germany“

Airbags, Aspirin, gummy bears, jet engines, light bulbs, maglev train, mp3, the pill, spark plugs, the theory of relativity, toothpaste and X-ray technology: The list of German inventions that changed everyone’s lives is long – and is still getting longer. Almost 20 percent of (international) applications at the European Patent Office are from Germany.

Technology „Made in Germany“

Climate, Environment and Energy

International climate policies, questions of energy security, cross-border environment preservation activities - these and other related issues have become core elements of foreign policy over the last years. Climate change is one of the key challenges of the 21st century. The role of foreign policy consists in following and supporting climate change negotiations to get closer to the goal of a binding global agreement.

Climate, Environment and Energy

The Australian Economy

Australia’s economy is dominated by the services sector, which makes up almost 80 percent of GDP. Financial services, real estate and corporate services are of particular importance. While agriculture and resources account for only 10 percent of GDP, both sectors provide around 70 percent of Australias exports. Future fields such as ICT, e-commerce, bio-, nano-, and health-technologies are playing an increasingly important role. It is in these fields that there are excellent synergies with the current export initiatives of the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology.

The Australian Economy

Etat 2010 steht - 80,2 Milliarden neue Schulden

Supporting mutual trade, investment and economic exchange

More than a quarter of Germany’s national income is earned in exports, and every fifth job in the country depends on our trade with other nations. The export of goods and services is a key driver of the German economy. The process of globalisation further enhances Germany’s dependence on unfettered interaction with global markets.

Supporting mutual trade, investment and economic exchange