Framework Programme – November 20^th 2012

9.00 a.m.	Historic Tour of Potsdam
12.15 p.m.	Reception in the Federal State Government of Brandenburg including Lunch and Opportunities for B2B-Exchange Welcome Speech: – Henning Heidemanns, State Secretary, the Brandenburg Ministry of Economics and European Affairs – H.E. Farid Mogawar, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Republic of Yemen Short Presentation of Brandenburg’s Economy: – Dr. Stefan von Senger und Etterlin, Director International Business, ZukunftsAgentur Brandenburg GmbH
1.30 p.m.	Vision of the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport (under construction)
4.00 p.m.	End of Framework Programme

H.E. Egyptian Ambassador Mohamed Higazy: “Germany is a strong and reliable partner”

The premiere of the “1st EMA Forum for the Mashriq and Gulf Region” initiated by the German-Arab organisation EMA together with the Federal Foreign Office was ill-fated: the crisis in the Middle East between Israel and Palestine is about to escalate while the end of confrontations in Syria is nowhere in sight. Due to these circumstances, Dr. Guido Westerwelle, the patron of this event, decided to travel to the Middle East on the conference’ opening day. Therefore Viktor Elbling, the Director General of Economic Affairs and Sustainable Development of the Federal Foreign Office, thanked the EMA all the more for its great dedication. Furthermore, his colleague Boris Ruge, the Head of the Middle East Department, pointed out that in this politically insecure time lots of entrepreneurs and businessmen are hesitant to invest in the Mashriq and Gulf Region. Nevertheless, the EMA succeeded in bringing together 200 German, Turkish and Arabic representatives of the business, political, science and civil society sector on November 19^th and 20^th 2012 in order to further intensify Germany’s external economic relations: German exports in the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council alone amounted to nearly 18 thousand million Euro. The current project volume of German companies in these countries accounts for 1.8 billion US-Dollar.

In addition to relevant topics for successful foreign trade, the highranking German and Arabic representatives also analyzed key industries for sustainable development in eight workshops: water management, environment and renewable energies; infrastructure, urban planning and (green) logistics as well as health care and life sciences. Experiences were exchanged, current projects presented and goal-oriented concepts for increased networking between German entrepreneurs with Arabic partners were discussed. Particularly the important role of Egypt as political mediator became apparent during the Forum. Although the country itself is currently at a turning point, at the same time it offers also new opportunities for German-Arab relations: “Germany is a strong and reliable partner. I invite German business leaders to consider investing in Egypt. When investing in Egypt you support democracy and you also consolidate stability in the Mediterranean”, said H.E. Dr. Mohamed Higazy, the Egyptian ambassador.

Furthermore, this year’s framework programme allowed the participants to gain an insight in the business location Brandenburg: in addition to a historic tour of Potsdam, the reception at the Federal State Government of Brandenburg offered lots of possibilities for B2B talks. The viewing of the airport Berlin-Brandenburg gave reason to review best practice and future-oriented infrastructure for a better Arab-German connection. The exclusive gala dinner in the delegates’ restaurant in the German Federal Parliament found great favour with the guests. The keynote speech was given by Klaus Brandner, a member of the German Federal Parliament and chairman of the German-Egyptian Group of Parliamentarians. On the whole, the “1st EMA-Forum for the Mashriq and Gulf Region” received lots of positive feedback: “The EMA has by far organized its best event. Particularly in these turbulent times a small miracle!”, according to a participant.

Press Reports

• “German Investments in Egypt”
  | Deutsche Welle TV, November 22^nd 2012 (only in Arabic)

• “Start of the first EMA Forum for the countries of the Mashriq and the Gulf in Berlin”
  | Deutsche Welle TV, November 19^th 2012 (only in Arabic)

• “EMA Conference in Berlin”
  | Deutsche Welle TV, November 19^th 2012

• “Economy and Human Rights at the Heart of the Forum”
  | Deutsche Welle, November 14^th 2012 (only in Arabic)

Press Releases
Press release | November 26^th 2012
Succesful Launch of the “1^st EMA Forum for the Mashriq and Gulf Region”, hosted at the Federal Foreign Service Office …more

Press release | November 19^th 2012
The German-Arab Organization EMA opens its first “Forum for the Mashriq and Gulf Region” in the Federal Foreign Office today …more

Press release | November 13^th 2012
High-ranking representatives from the Mashriq and Gulf Region attend the EMA Forum in the Federal Foreign Office, 19^th and 20^th November 2012 …more