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www.glasgowchamberofcommerce.com INTERNATIONAL
GLASGOW MAKES BUSINESS CONNECTION WITH BAVARIA
Words by: G
lasgow businesses must seriously consider how they can increase their exporting opportunities in
the powerhouse regions of Germany, believes Glasgow Chamber’s Chief Executive, Stuart Patrick. Mr Patrick recently returned from his exploratory business mission to chambers of commerce in both Nuremberg in Bavaria and Berlin in Northern Germany with a clearer insight into the work required. He says the Scottish Government’s
recent signing of a memorandum of understanding with Bavaria in Southern Germany has certainly helped to raise the profile of Scotland in these substantial trading areas, while the joint hosting of the European Championships in Berlin and Glasgow next August means that doors are definitely open. However, while Mr Patrick found German business leaders are well aware that Scotland voted to remain in the European Union when the rest of the UK voted to leave, the consequences of Brexit are not vexing for most Germans. “We are under no illusions. It is not an
easy matter for Glasgow firms with no pedigree just to push out into Europe and expect to trade with Germany. It takes time to build key relationships. We need to work together to pinpoint which industries and indeed Glasgow companies that can work with their counterparts in Germany,” he said. Following the unification of Germany, the Nuremberg Metropolitan region became the gateway to East and Southeast Europe. With a population similar to Greater Glasgow of 1.7 million, and over 140,000 firms, the region’s export GDP is €55 billion. There is a
major striking difference between the UK and Germany, in that all businesses are required by law to be members of their regional chambers of commerce. In the case of IHK Nuremberg, this means they have more than 100,000 members, which gives the Chamber substantial influence and political clout and regional decision-making in Bavaria. Throughout much of Germany, Chambers ensure the fulfilment and the certification of over 900 apprenticeship and vocational training boards. In Nuremberg alone, more than 5,500 entrepreneurs, experts and executives volunteer to work as examiners. The IHK Nuremberg Chamber of
Christian Hartmann, International Trade, Nuremberg Chamber of Commerce (IHK); Stuart Patrick, Chief Executive, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and David Scrimgeour MBE, DS Consulting at the Energie Campus, Nuremberg
It is not an easy matter for
Glasgow firms with no pedigree just to push into Europe and expect to trade with Germany”
Commerce and Industry’s new offices, costing €40 million, were delayed as a result of an archaeological survey which found a fragment of pottery which suggested the city’s origins were indeed 200 years earlier than previously thought. One facet of German business life has been annual trade exhibitions which promote various groups. “We were interested to hear that the Nuremberg toy fair is one of the world’s biggest and the city hosts up to 20 major recurring exhibitions each year, while in Glasgow, apart from the likes of All-Energy, we tend to have peripatetic academic symposiums and conferences,” said Mr Patrick. In Berlin, Mr Patrick and a Glasgow
official met Chamber CEO Jan Eder, who talked about joint opportunities to promote both cities. The German capital has had to resurrect its business base since the reunification of Germany and is now concentrating on the creative industries and media, medical and healthcare, transport and logistics.
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