Mr. Stütz, together with the Thuringian Ministry of Economics and the Working Group of Thuringian Chambers of Industry and Commerce, LEG is organizing the 17th Thuringian Foreign Trade Day (AWT) on March 19 in Ilmenau. This year's motto is: “Thuringia in the World – Today. Tomorrow. Together“. What can participants from business and science look forward to?
Our AWT is the annual flagship event for Thuringia's foreign trade and the internationalization of the Free State's economy. It is the largest platform for entrepreneurs and researchers to comprehensively inform themselves on these topics and to gain new input for successful business abroad. Above all, it offers the opportunity for diverse Contacts. Colette Boos-John, our new Minister of Economic Affairs, is participating here in her new role in the first major event in the field of business development that the ministry is organizing with partners in the new legislative period. Participants also have the opportunity for Contacts with our six foreign representatives for China, India, Israel, Southern Africa, Vietnam, and Central Asia. Furthermore, 15 country and market experts are available for discussions; they come from countries such as Brazil, Malaysia, Morocco, and Serbia.
The AWT thus offers excellent opportunities for diverse exchange…
Yes, not least for this reason the term "Gemeinsam“ is in our this year's motto. I think this is very important: For success in foreign markets and for successful internationalisation all actors should network even better, talk with each other, exchange experiences, learn from each other and encourage each other, also in turbulent times – and we have them! – to drive the international business forward purposefully. And to encourage, we also show at the AWT many examples of how entrepreneurs can benefit from international markets and further expand their activities worldwide.
This is what the motto “Thuringia in the World“ stands for – meaning that the Free State can already boast a great deal in terms of internationalization, which should motivate entrepreneurs to continue writing this success story.
Exactly – it is not least about motivation for a powerful expansion of international business. That is why we have invited Franziska Schenk, a former world-class speed skater. She will give a "motivational impulse" and share her perspective on how to view challenges as opportunities and act courageously, especially in turbulent times. Franziska Schenk will also speak with Minister Boos-John in a "fireside chat" about a future vision for Thuringia. Thinking ahead is also the focus of a program item with four entrepreneurs who will present their personal success stories in moving images and with a short presentation, and discuss them.
The four represent only a small section of the accompanying exhibition featuring Thuringian success stories…
The exhibition brings together a wide range of examples from Thuringia showing how international business can succeed. It demonstrates that there are no limits to the innovative strength of our companies – from SPACEOPTICS GmbH with its highly precise metal optics and mirror systems in space, to MARTIN Membrane Systems AG, which has built sewage treatment plants at all polar stations worldwide, to MACON Meerescosmetic Produktions- und Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH, which operates beauty salons in Vietnam. All of this and much more can be discovered at AWT, and all participants are available for discussions.
It is a real encouragement when it is shown how strongly Thuringian entrepreneurs are already represented in international business – and courage is also needed at the moment, when one thinks of the global turbulence…
The challenges are currently very great, which is why we have also included a program item called "Horizon Opening" in which current geopolitical developments are discussed and classified. Among other things, this involves new perspectives on the USA, on China, and also on other markets. With the AWT, we really offer a comprehensive exchange and information platform – from instructive individual corporate strategies to a look at "big" geopolitics and the global economy. In terms of content, the conference covers almost all relevant areas for entrepreneurial activity – internationalization strategies, but also, for example, questions of skilled worker recruitment, the LEG settlement service, and support for start-ups that want to operate internationally. The advantage here is that we, as LEG, to which the "Thuringia International" team belongs, cover all these fields of activity with our diverse competencies. For example, at the AWT, our Invest division, which supports investors with a full service, as well as our Thuringian Agency For Skilled Worker Recruitment (ThAFF) and our German Professional School (GPS) are also on board.
