The evening before the General Assembly we kindly invite you to the Welcome reception „Together in Berlin“.

Shape with us in an informal atmosphere our Motto “Connect for success“.

Welcoming speech by Michael Müller, the Governing Mayor of Berlin (invited).

Foreign trade is essential in order to maintain wealth levels in Germany and Europe. This is particularly the case for the mechanical and plant engineering sector, whose export industry means that it relies on open markets. Both policy makers and companies need to work to ensure that free trade is possible
worldwide.

It is the responsibility of policy makers to create the right framework for a free exchange of goods. That is why Germany – a particularly large exporter – needs to champion the most extensive liberalization possible, both bilaterally and multilaterally.

The negotiations for the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) have given rise to a debate on the advantages and disadvantages of free trade. People in some parts of Europe, especially Germany, are concerned about the planned agreement with the USA. It will fall to both domestic and European policy makers to demonstrate the effects of free trade in detail and to communicate them in open dialog – and companies need to develop strategies to adapt to the constantly-changing market environment.

So what can policy makers and the mechanical engineering sector do if the free exchange of goods is made more difficult or entire markets break away? What room do they have to maneuver? What specific measures do companies expect policy makers to take?

Furthermore, the Working Group I “Securing Free Trade – What are the Options for Policy Makers and Mechanical Engineers?” critically addresses the question of whether the traditional trade goods is still appropriate or if it has already become obsolete. What will trade look like in the future? What effect do digital processes have on streams of commerce?

Inspirational presentations and discussions between representatives of European policy makers, business and science will examine the question of how free trade can be secured for the future. In addition, the audience will also be asked to share their opinions in order to obtain current feedback from the participants of the working group.

Innovative solutions in the mechanical and plant engineering sector provide the technological backbone for a successful energy transition. Working Group II “Exporting Energy Transition” will highlight the development of energy technologies in the target markets of Europe, China and Indonesia at this year‘s general assembly. The objective is to point out export opportunities for the mechanical and plant engineering sector under various market conditions.

Experts show the way to a practical market entry. In working groups, each consisting of an initiator from mechanical engineering and an expert from an external organization, such as the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWI), you will discuss issues related to each of the three target markets. They will introduce you to lighthouse projects for each market and provide practical tips on the appropriate aligning of the product strategy. By sharing perspectives with them and the other participants, you will assess the market entry opportunities for energy technologies in the selected target markets.

Sample markets cover typical cases. Europe stands for strongly regulated markets in which topics such as system integration and a comprehensive restructuring of the electricity, heating and traffic sector play a significant role. China is a typical example of an autocratically regulated market, which must first focus on advancing the current energy system to state-of-the-art standards. Indonesia is an excellent example of a market on the threshold of becoming a growth market. Being an island nation, its energy
system benefits from decentralized solutions and efficiency measures.

The industry‘s high export figures clearly show that the technologies are valued all around the world. Focusing on the development of energy technologies in the target markets of Europe, China and Indonesia, the speakers provide practical tips on export opportunities under various market conditions.