GlobalConnect Conferences

Time: 10:30 - 13:00 
Location: Room C6.1

Like no other crisis before, the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine also threatens our coexistence in Europe. Only if the countries of Europe work together, the challenges of these times can be mastered. The countries of Eastern and South-Eastern Europe are playing a key role for the European economy.

At the Eastern Europe Forum, experts from the fields of business, administration and politics will come together to discuss topics that are on everyone's minds, such as new market potential, opportunities for nearshoring, energy security and resilient supply chains.

Following the panel discussion, the networking event with small catering will offer additional opportunities to exchange ideas, deepen existing contacts and establish new ones.

10:00 a.m. Welcome

• Johannes Jung, Head of the Department of Strategy, Law, Foreign Trade and Europe in the Ministry of Economics, Labour and Tourism Baden-Württemberg
   

10:05 a.m. Introduction

What are the challenges of a new beginning after the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine? A report from the middleof the "Zeitenwende".

• Dmytro Shevchenko, Consul at the Consulate General of Ukraine in Munich
   

10:10 a.m. Impulse

How can Baden-Württemberg's economy be a good partner for Eastern Europe?

• Prof. Dr. Rainer Lindner, Chairman of the Executive Board of the Heine+Beisswenger Group
   

10:20 a.m. Panel: "Supply chains and value chains"

How can Eastern, South Eastern Europe and Baden-Württemberg benefit from each other?

• Philipp Haußmann, Spokesman of the Board of Ernst Klett Aktiengesellschaft and Member of the Board of the Ost-Ausschuss
• Dr. Ewa Łabno-Falęcka, Head of Corporate Communication & External Affairs, Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Poland
• Prof. Dr. Rainer Lindner, Chairman of the Executive Board of the Heine+Beisswenger Group
• Olga Trofymova, PhD, President of CMC-Ukraine, Director of Internationalisation of Ukrainian Cluster Alliance
• Dr. Gerd Meier zu Köcker, RegioClusterAgency for Innovation and Transformation in Baden-Württemberg
   

11:00 a.m. Coffee break

11:15 a.m. Impulse

Case study Bulgaria - How is an Eastern European country adjusting to the current crisis?

• Dragomir Dimitrov, Consul General of the Republic of Bulgaria in Munich
   

11:25 a.m. Panel: "Energy Security and Energy Dependence"

Prospects for Future Cooperation with Eastern and South-Eastern Europe

• Philipp Haußmann, Spokesman of the Board of Ernst Klett Aktiengesellschaft and Member of the Board of the Ost-Ausschuss
• Dr. Ewa Łabno-Falęcka, Head of Corporate Communication & External Affairs, Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Poland
• Prof. Dr. Rainer Lindner, Chairman of the Executive Board of the Heine+Beisswenger Group
• Olga Trofymova, PhD, President of CMC-Ukraine, Director of Internationalisation of Ukrainian Cluster Alliance
• Johannes Jung, Head of the Department of Strategy, Law, Foreign Trade and Europe in the Ministry of Economics, Labour and Tourism Baden-Württemberg
   

12:00 p.m. Pitch Sessions

With the Eastern and South-Eastern European countries represented with a stand at GlobalConnect

12:10 p.m Networking and catering

1:00 p.m. End

Target market: Eastern and South-Eastern Europe
Organiser: Ministry of Economics, Labour and Tourism Baden-Württemberg

Moderation: Dr. Andrea Despot, CEO Chair of the Board of Directors Foundation Remembrance, Responsibility and Future

Time: 09:30 - 17:00
Location: Room 7.2/3

Baden-Württemberg Customs Forum*
There are events during the year which export and import managers cannot afford to miss in the interest of their company and their own career development. The annual "Baden-Württemberg" Customs Forum is one such event since it is highly suitable for updating one's knowledge. There is hardly any need to provide managers involved in foreign trade with up-to-date and assured knowledge in international business. In operational reality, however, time pressure and workload make continuous and systematic advanced training more difficult.

Target markets: Export and import managers, specialist and managerial staff in international sales
Organiser: IHK-Exportakademie GmbH

*Participation subject to a charge

Time: 10:00 - 13:00 
Location: Room C5.2+3

USA Business Conference*
This three-hour Conference will focus on the current economic developments in the USA and the challenges for German companies. 

This year's focal points will be the following topics: "Biden's billions - opportunities for German industry", "Business culture in the USA", "Legal aspects of sales in the USA", and "Choice of location in the USA". 

The speakers will give reports from the field during talks and the podium discussion. The speakers hold management positions in Germany and the USA, and will provide valuable tips for successful marketing in economically turbulent times. 

10:00 Welcome 

• Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Stuttgart region
• Thatcher Scharpf, US Consul General

10:15 Keynote speech: Where will the journey lead to? Market opportunities under Biden for companies from Baden-Württemberg

• Robert Matschoss, Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI)

10:35 Panel: The USA - challenging market in turbulent times with great potential

• Dr. Christoph Schemionek, German-American Chambers of Commerce, Washington office
• Tilman Bender, TH Bender & Partner
• Ralph Heckmann, Team Technik GmbH
• Professor Gerhard Wegen, American Chamber of Commerce in Germany (AMCHAM)

11:20 Talk: Setting the sails correctly – how to successfully launch products on the American market

• Jürgen Ostertag, Tarter Krinsky New York

11:50 Workshop: Getting things done – the underestimated connection between success and culture

• Hagen Glatzle, Chatterbird

12:20 Talk: Where to in the States? Guide to the ideal production site 

• Matthias Beier, Transatlantic Business and Investment Council (TBIC), Berlin

12:50 Q&A session

Target market: USA
Organiser: Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Stuttgart region

*Participation subject to a charge

Time: 11:00 - 12:00
Location: Room C4.3

IFZA Free Zone Dubai is one of the most dynamic free zones in Dubai. It offers local and international companies and investors the ideal platform to take advantage of Dubai's benefits with a company incorporation and residency visas. These include: easy, fast and cost-effective company formation, customer-friendly service culture in multiple languages, Dubai's geographic location and infrastructure, unique and international lifestyle, and a tax-friendly environment. Entrepreneurs and employees at IFZA also benefit from flexible office solutions and other real estate products located in the new IFZA Business Park.

Target markets: German-European companies wishing to establish a company in the UAE, as well as law firms and consultancies offering support and various services regarding company establishment in the UAE.
Organiser: IFZA Free Zone Dubai

Time: 10:00 - 12:00 
Location: Room C5.1

The two foreign trade experts Julianna Straib-Lorenz and Birgit Susdorf will guide you through every export control step - for successful organisation and optimisation of processes in your company. The legal principles will be supplemented by examples and practical experiences of the two speakers regarding the 4 check steps: check against the sanctions list, embargo check, goods check and end use check.

Target group: Customs and export employees
Organiser: ZOLEX

Time: 14:00 - 17:00
Location: Room C6.1

Cybersecurity: Solutions made in Europe*
In the age of increasing digitalisation cyber security has become one of the most important tasks for companies of all sizes.
Cybercrime is becoming increasingly more professional and does not only affect individual large enterprises, but also small and medium-sized companies. There are numerous European cyber security suppliers and international networks which can offer companies prevention strategies, potential solutions and assistance in an emergency. 

14:00 Welcome

• Dorothee Minne, Team Leader International Industries, Foreign Trade and Services Department, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Stuttgart region 

14:10 Keynote speech Cyber solutions made in Austria 

• Bernhard Bachleitner. Director of ABA-Invest in Austria and 
• Daniel Chladek, Vienna Business Agency

14:30 Keynote speech

• Mirko Ross, CEO of asvin

14:50 Keynote speech European solutions

• Frank Karlitschek, Managing Director, Nextcloud GmbH

15:10 Keynote speech
15:30 Break
15:45 Cybertalk

• with the event speakers

Target market: Europe
Organiser: Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Stuttgart region 
Speakers: Mirko Ross (CEO, asvin GmbH), to be announced (Baden-Württemberg Cyber Security Agency)

*Participation subject to a charge

Time: 14:00 - 17:00
Location: Room C4.3

Goods exports to China and goods imports from China to Baden-Württemberg also increased again in 2021. At around €19.55 billion China occupied second place among the most important export countries and at around €18.4 billion second place among the most important import countries of our companies. Even though the above trade figures for 2021 are generally positive, the mood in the economy is deteriorating at present. The restrictive corona policy and immigration conditions in China coupled with the increasing isolation of China, current industrial policy, rising costs and the changing geopolitical situation are clear indications of the vulnerability of the hitherto good economic relations. Against this backdrop, a changed public discussion concerning the future relationship with China is currently taking place in Europe.
We will use these developments as an opportunity to discuss the current challenges facing German companies in China and possible competition strategies during the event entitled "The changing face of China".

The participants in the event will include 

• Dr. Christine D. Althauser (Ambassador (Skopje) / Retired Consul General (Shanghai)
• Mr. Henning Vogelsang (Baden-Württemberg's Business Representative in China)
• Dr.-Ing. Elmar Stumpf (Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Baden-Württemberg China Network) and 
• Mr. Gunter Fauth (Managing Director, Valegra GmbH).

The event will be chaired by Mr. Steffen Wurzel (SWR), creator of the ARD podcast Welt.Macht.China (World.Power.China) and the former ARD radio correspondent in Shanghai (2016-2022).