ERFURT – It was a journey to the third-largest economy in the Arab world and to a region that serves as a hub for significant trade flows: From January 21 to 26, a 24-member business delegation from Thuringia, led by Dr. Arnulf Wulff, authorized signatory of LEG and Head of Acquisition, Thuringia International and Cluster Management, visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The LEG Thuringia International team organized the trip. "The numerous Contact and discussions confirmed that this region offers lucrative opportunities for business and cooperation for our Thuringian companies," says Andreas Krey, Managing Director of LEG. "The focus of the trip was on technologies for sustainability and health. Companies from the Free State of Thuringia possess a wealth of expertise in these areas, which is attractive to companies and research institutes in the Emirates. At the same time, these are topics that are being intensively addressed locally – business and cooperation partners from Germany, and especially from Thuringia, are very welcome!"
The UAE is Thuringia's third most important trading partner in the Arab world. Thuringia's export volume to the UAE has remained stable at around €50 million since 2014. Exports consist primarily of machinery and equipment, as well as medical technology and pharmaceutical products. The Emirates, which are increasingly opening up to the West and focusing on modern technologies, have recently expanded their collaborations with other regions on various continents. Furthermore, the region is currently hosting significant events: the EXPO 2020 World Expo is taking place in Dubai until the end of March; the Arab Health medical technology trade fair opened its doors from January 24 to 27. The Thuringian delegation visited both events: In the German Pavilion, the Thuringian technology initiative "smood – smart neighbourhood" is presenting itself; it is showcasing – with funding from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research – a model of a combined technology for the generation, storage, and conversion of energy in an urban district. Following this, LEG and the Thuringian Renewable Energy Network (ThEEN) organized a workshop in Dubai on "Energy Efficiency in Residential Areas and Technologies for Sustainability from Thuringia," which introduced Thuringian expertise to partners from the Gulf region. Arab Health, in turn, is the largest industry platform for innovative medical technology solutions in the Middle East and North Africa – an excellent opportunity for the Thuringian delegation members to establish or expand Contact with international partners. Thuringia has been represented at Arab Health for over ten years under the leadership of "Thuringia International," and this year's number of exhibitors at the joint stand set a new record with 12.
Further program highlights included meetings and visits aimed at establishing and strengthening Contact with various partners in the Gulf region. These included a briefing by the German-Emirati Chamber of Industry and Commerce, a business roundtable with representatives of the Emirate of Ras al Khaimah, and visits to the Emirates Green Building Council, the real estate and construction company Majid Al Futtaim, RAK Cement Co., and the Sustainable City project, Diamond Developers. Given the high value of personal Contact , the delegation was pleased that, while adhering to all pandemic safety regulations, they were once again able to take advantage of the opportunity for direct discussions and encounters.
More information at www.thueringen-international.de
