1st German American Energy Conference: Growing Ties in Renewable Energies Market

Berlin (ots) - The sustainable energy supply is a key issue at the
forefront of the German-American trade partnership. Despite the
global recession, the renewable energies industry continues to
project growth. The 1st German American Energy Conference will be
held from March 30 to April 2, 2009 in Berlin to discuss the
prospects of expanding the transatlantic sustainable energy
partnership.

Germany, driven by the eastern federal states, is a global leader
in renewable energies production, including photovoltaic, wind, and
biofuels, while the United States is the world's largest energy
consumer and has seen a dramatic growth of its renewable energies
industry in recent years. Currently, President Obama's dedication to
sustainable energy sources promises an even higher profile for the
sector. Cooperation between these two industry giants has strong
implications for the renewable energies industry worldwide.

To underscore the increasing cooperation, the 1st German American
Energy Conference is the opening conference in a planned series of
biennial meetings that will be held in rotation between the United
States and Germany. The theme of this year's conference is "Renewable
Energy Boom USA." Organized under the umbrella of the Transatlantic
Climate Bridge project of the German Federal Foreign Office, partners
include the Federation of German Industries (BDI) and Germany Trade
and Invest, as well as the German Energy Agency (DENA) and the German
American Chambers of Commerce (GACC). Parliamentary State Secretary
Ulrich Kasparick of the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and
Urban Affairs will be presenting on economic development through
renewable energies, in which he will highlight the success story of
eastern Germany.

Upward trends in this industry are expected to continue, as can be
seen by the ongoing policy commitment in Germany, particularly in the
renewable energy powerhouse region of eastern Germany. Renewable
energies account for over EUR 30 billion in sales and 280,000 jobs in
Germany, including 13,459 workers in photovoltaic in eastern Germany
alone. The industry expects further investments in this sector to
continue, despite the economic downturn.

The transatlantic partnership in this industry is expected to
flourish. In a recent survey by the American Chamber of Commerce
(AmCham), Germany was the most attractive location in Europe for
American investors. One of the primary reasons listed was Germany's
ability to better withstand the global recession than other nations.
The heavy investment in growth sectors like renewable energies is a
major factor, as this industry continues to grow as others scale
back.

Germany Trade and Invest will have industry experts present to
answer questions and discuss opportunities to invest in Germany's
renewable energies and resources industry as well as opportunities
for German companies in the US. The conference, held at the
Ludwig-Erhard-Haus in Berlin, hopes to further expand cooperation in
this sector, with conference topics including the direction of the
industry in both countries, business partnerships, and the future of
the transatlantic energy dialogue.

Germany Trade & Invest is the foreign trade and inward investment
promotion agency of the Federal Republic of Germany. The organization
advises and supports foreign companies seeking to expand into the
German market and assists companies established in Germany looking to
enter foreign markets. All inquiries are treated confidentially.

Originaltext: Germany Trade and Invest
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