The fourth transport logistic China takes place from 8 to 10 June 2010. This international trade fair has established itself as the most important industry meeting place for logistics, telematics and transport in Asia. Ahead of the fair, Germany´s Minister for Transport, Building and Urban Affairs, Dr Peter Ramsauer, underlines the need for closer cooperation with China, in particular for targeted marketing of the logistics location of Germany, and for joint efforts in the sustainable development of mobility.

China and Germany are the worlds leading exporting nations. What joint projects are the two countries planning in the area of transport and logistics?
Ramsauer: Transport and logistics are very central themes in both these leading export nations. In China the demand for logistics services is exceptionally strong. And in the coming years it will increase still further. Germany´s logistics and transport sector leads the world. All this is generating many opportunities for joint projects.
I am therefore very much in favour of further expanding the exchange between government authorities, companies, universities and regional initiatives. Among the most important themes are intelligent mobility management, electromobility and the expansion of transport infrastructure. In these areas China is developing at enormous speed. And this is where German technology, experience and investment is in demand. As the world economic situation stabilises further, progress should be made on faster transport connections by rail between China and Germany. That would strengthen the partnership between the two industrial nations.
 
China is regarded at present at the world´s number one economic driver. How can Germany, above all the transport and logistics sector, benefit from this and how active are companies there already?
Ramsauer: Constant economic growth, China´s giant internal market and its almost boundless export strength have in recent years attracted the interest of German logistics companies. Outside Europe, China is the second most important market for Germany. And for China, Germany is by far the largest European trading partner. For this reason many German logistics companies have now founded independently run subsidiary companies in China or have entered into cooperations with local partners. What is clear is that there is great demand for high-quality logistics services. Chinese industrial and trading companies are well aware of the value of German services all along the delivery chain. And in this the expertise of German suppliers makes them stand out from the competition.
 
Between 8 and 10 June Messe München is holding transport logistic China in Shanghai, a city that has now become the most important platform for transport and logistics in Asia. The Logistics Council Germany will also be putting on a presentation there, on behalf of the German government, to promote Germany as a logistics location. What hopes do you have for this presentation?
Ramsauer: It is true – this fair is an important gathering place for the international logistics sector. It offers exhibitors and visitors a platform for making contacts on the Chinese market. Representatives from industry, trade, the logistics sector and science and research will be going there to find potential partners, customers and service providers. The Logistics Council Germany will further integrate the logistics sectors of both countries. Its stand will operate as a contacts forum for German and Chinese companies. The Logistics Council Germany will be informing and supporting Chinese exporters and service companies who are orienting themselves towards Europe.
As an independent mediator the Logistics Council Germany will pass on – free of charge – inquiries from Chinese companies to suitable contact partners in Germany. In this way small and medium-sized companies will have the chance to forge international contacts, even if they themselves are unable to take part in the fair. Chinese companies and exporters can find out, again free of charge and from one source, at the exhibition stand of the Logistics Council Germany about qualified German suppliers and about the advantages of the logistics location Germany. Thanks to an outstanding infrastructure and a central location within Europe, Germany is very well suited for European-wide and international business. The activities of the Logistics Council Germany will be supported by my Parliamentary State Secretary, Dr Andreas Scheuer. He will be travelling to Shanghai to attend transport logistic.
 
This year the world exposition Expo 2010 is taking place in Shanghai. At the German stands electromobility will be one of the key themes. Germany is aiming to become the leading market for electromobility, but China, too, is striving for leadership in this field. How can both countries benefit from each other in this?
Ramsauer: I am very pleased that China is putting in such a great effort in this area. More and more Chinese people are now managing to afford their own car. For this reason we support our Chinese partners in the sustainable development of mobility. We are in constant contact with the Chinese Ministry of Science. There are already joint projects in the field of hydrogen and fuel-cell technology. A new focus in our cooperation is the theme of electromobility, with hybrid and battery-driven vehicles. As regards the technology, we are moving in some areas beyond the field of basic research, to a situation where it is about securing market positions in the international competition.
I am also very pleased, too, that soon there will be an agreement between one of our eight model regions for electromobility and a Chinese model city from the '10 Cities – 1000 Vehicles' programme, on the exchange of information and experience on electromobility.

When and on what occasion will you be able to visit China, to see for yourself what is happening?
Ramsauer: When I took up office, I made foreign trade relations a focus of the work in the Ministry. China is a particularly interesting market here. As current plans stand, I shall be visiting China in autumn, to talk to ministerial colleagues there. During this I would like to explore the possibility of further joint activities.
 
Substitutional für federal minister Ramsauer the Parliamentary State Secretary, Dr. Andreas Scheuer, will travel to China for the opening ceremony of transport logistic China 2010.