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The Japan Times
WORLD EYE REPORTS
LOWER SAXONY |
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©THE JAPAN TIMES
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Thursday, January 24, 2002
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Global innovation starts right here
Lower Saxony's capital, Hanover, is home to the world's biggest trade fairs, including CEBIT, the largest technology showcase in the world. Every year at CEBIT, the very latest in world innovation is seen here first, and a city of only 500,000 people stands at the center of the technological world. Five out of the 10 biggest trade fairs in the world are held in the sprawling exhibition halls of Deutsche Messe - the largest single exhibition ground in the world. Little known to most people, the German state of Lower Saxony is a place where the world's prime innovation is not only exhibited, but also created.
The most important industry in the state is automotive production. One-seventh of Germany's population works in the automotive industry and, of these, one-third lives in the city of Wolfsburg -- home of Europe's largest carmaker, Volkswagen.
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Hanover Fairs - The federal state capital has gained a reputation for being the world's 'tradeshow city.' In fact, Hanover was the site of EXPO 2000 and annually hosts CeBIT, the largest information technology trade show in the world. The Web site contains a comprehensive listing of all trade fairs in the state for the entire year.
www.messe.de
Lower Saxony Home Page -This official Web site serves as a highly useful launch pad for learning nearly everything about the prosperous northwestern German state. Touting itself as the ideal investment destination, the government boasts of having lured global giants, including some of the largest Japanese companies.
www.niedersachsen.de
Hanover Online - Water sports, equestrian rides, eco-tourism, cultural events, and festivals. Book your hotel, city tours, and event tickets without leaving home. The site provides a wealth of information and services for the business traveler and tourist alike. www.hannover.de
eBox
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 The Deutsche Messe exhibition halls in Hanover, the state capital, showcase the world's best technology - much of it home - grown. |
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In that city, technologies from the world's major auto part suppliers converge to turn out vehicles shipped to all corners of the globe. Volkswagen is the world's fourth largest car maker with the state of Lower Saxony as the biggest single shareholder. VW is also the state's largest employer and the automotive industry (with international automotive suppliers surrounding Volkswagen) makes it the biggest industry in Lower Saxony. FULL STORY
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Unique at the top of the European automotive industry
It is possible that only a few people have heard of a place called Wolfsburg in Germany, but many more know the heart that pumps life to this city: the Volkswagen Group. Volkswagen stands atop Europe as its largest automotive manufacturer and the fourth largest automobile producer in the world.
Starting with its flagship brand Volkswagen, the group has dominated the world market with its multi-brand strategy that covers every market segment with names such as Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, Seat, Skoda, and Volkswagen commercial vehicles.
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 Dr. Robert Büchelhofer stresses the Volkswagen Group's focus on an innovative, dynamic and youthful outlook. |
"Those prestigious brands play a very important role in the Volkswagen group setup. They have specific roles to play, and they add image points to the whole group," stated Dr. Robert Büchelhofer, member of the management board of Volkswagen AG. FULL STORY
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Lower Saxony
Area: 47,8000 sq km.
Population: 7.89 million
Main centers: Hanover (capital), Braunschweig, Gottingen, Hildesheim, Luneburg, Oldenburg, Osnabruck, Salzgitter, Wilhelmshaven, Wolfsburg
Currency: euro
Average exchange rate: $1=1.11
Unemployment rate: 9.2 percent
Inflation rate: 2.1 percent
Total GDP: $151.27 billion (2000)
GDP growth: 2.4 percent (2000)
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Gross Value Added by sector (2000):
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing: $1.05 billion
Manufacturing: $10.36 billion
Construction: $2.28 billion
Commerce and Transport: $ 8.59 billion
Financial, Renting, and Business activities: $ 12.60 billion
Private and Public Services: $ 9.81 billion
Total imports: $ 37.34 billion (2000)
Total exports: $ 40.85 billion (2000)
Major import markets: Norway, U.S., Netherlands, Britain, France
Major export markets: Netherlands, France, Britain, |
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U.S., Italy
Leading Industrial sectors: car manufacturing, foodstuffs, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, plastic goods, chemicals
 Source: Investment Promotion Agency |
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