A trade mission from the German Federal State of Brandenburg, one of the 16 Länder (states) of the Federal Republic of Germany, arrived in New Hampshire yesterday (May 1). Led by Brandenburg’s Minister-President Matthias Platzeck, the mission includes a trade delegation of Brandenburg and Berlin-based companies who are here to explore potential business opportunities and partnerships in New Hampshire.
Hosts for the event are the Strategic Security Alliance, an organization formed to increase the global visibility of its member firms that provide security services and products; the National Infrastructure Institute, which seeks to improve the utilization, efficiency, and operations and maintenance of the nation’s public infrastructure; and the NH Division of Economic Development’s International Trade Resource Center.
According to Dawn Wivell, Director of the International Trade Resource Center, “Germany is New Hampshire’s fourth most important trading partner, with $223 million in exports in 2010, which is why this trade mission is so important. Like New Hampshire, Brandenburg is especially proud of its leadership role in technology development, academic research excellence and economic stability and growth.”
Brandenburg, whose capitol is Potsdam, has a population of 2.6 million (about twice that of New Hampshire).
The three-day mission began in Portsmouth with a Monday morning orientation meeting; then the two dozen-plus small and medium-sized businesses represented in the Brandenburg trade delegation are scheduled to meet Monday afternoon and Tuesday with approximately 25 New Hampshire companies. These companies are active in a wide variety business segments ranging from security to medical devices to aerospace manufacturing.
“In addition to providing companies on both sides of the Atlantic with the chance to meet and explore prospective partnerships and business opportunities, Mr. Platzeck’s visit will also help strengthen trans-Atlantic partnerships for academic research, technology development and intergovernmental cooperation,” continued Wivell.
Governor Lynch will meet with Minister-President Platzeck and the officials accompanying the delegation, along with Commissioner George Bald of the NH Dept. of Resources and Economic Development.
The visit will also include a reception at the Harbor Events Center on Tuesday evening, May 3, beginning at 7 p.m. Sponsors for the reception include Dachser Intelligent Logistics, Smuttynose Brewing Co., Hilton Garden Inn Portsmouth Downtown, Portsmouth Harbor Events & Conference Center, Centrix Bank, and Strategic Security Alliance.
At the conclusion of their visit to New Hampshire, the Brendenburg delegation will travel to Montreal, Canada, where they will continue their mission through May 7th, before returning to Germany.
These identified industry sectors are growing exponentially despite the global economic downturn and top markets include India, Japan, Canada, the UK, Germany, UAE, China, France and Brazil. The U.S. is the preeminent supplier of technologically advanced aerospace, defense, safety and security products to the world.