The German Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade (BWA) officially opened its Shanghai representative office at the Sinar Mas Plaza in the North Bund.
The inauguration ceremony featured notable attendees, including Norbert Riedel, Consul General of Germany in Shanghai; Shi Mingde, former Chinese Ambassador to Germany and President of the China-Germany Friendship Association; Professor Hermann Simon, known as the "father of hidden champions"; Fu Jihong, Vice President of the Shanghai People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries; and Wu Weiping, a member of the district standing committee and Deputy Director.
During the ceremony, BWA signed agreements with several Chinese organizations, including the China International Cooperation Association for Small and Medium Enterprises, the China Society of Automotive Engineers, the China Electronic Commerce Association, and the Shanghai Industrial Internet Association.
BWA President Michael Schumann and Chief Representative for China Zuo Jun delivered speeches highlighting the association's mission.
Founded in 2003, BWA is an industry association established by leading German enterprises, aimed at fostering economic development and international cooperation.
With its headquarters in Berlin, the association has influence in over 70 countries and represents more than 10,000 companies across various sectors, including education, chemicals, energy, construction, automotive, machinery, and aviation.
Hongkou District has become a hub for several multinational corporations from Germany in sectors such as shipping, technology, and business services, fueling the area's economic growth.
The opening of BWA’s Shanghai office marks a new bridge for Sino-German economic and trade exchanges. This office is the first of its kind in China, officially registered in February 2024, and will manage affairs for the Greater China region while focusing on enhancing cooperation between China and Germany.
Moving forward, the BWA Shanghai office is set to facilitate "bringing in" and "going out" initiatives, promoting increased bilateral engagement between Chinese and German enterprises.