In order to gain direct insight into German companies’ opportunities and challenges in the Chinese building and construction markets, Dr. Peter Ramsauer, Federal Minister of Transport, Building and Urban Development met with representatives of German companies active in China on Saturday, October 16th, in Shanghai.
Leading experts and spokespersons of their respective fields reported on their experiences on China’s green markets during the dinner hosted by econet china, the greentech platform of the German Chamber of Commerce Greater China. Professor Albert Speer of AS&P received common consent when stating that still, too many German companies’ marketing efforts were insufficient. “For Chinese customers, Germany represents quality. This would make it easier for German companies to gain competitive advantages through targeted marketing activities tailored to the Chinese market.”
Further challenges facing German companies are reported to be the need of an even tighter network towards local authorities and decision-makers, as well as the current lack of skilled labour within China. It has been emphasized that the need of professional training of Chinese construction workers will be of growing importance for German businesses and their success in the country.
An example of successful bundling of German strengths, in turn, is the German Zhangjiang Science & Culture Exchange Centre in Shanghai, a project initiated by econet china and, in the future, also under the patronage of the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development. Professor Fisch, whose engineering office energydesign Shanghai participates in the planning of the centre, introduced it as a beacon project of German technology and integrated planning according to German sustainability criteria. After completion, this office, conference and exhibition centre shall not only act as a model for sustainable building in China, promote German quality, planning competence and know-how, but also serve as a platform for Sino-German exchange.
The company representatives moreover took the opportunity to make numerous project suggestions to Federal Minister Ramsauer, unanimously agreeing that long-term German success on the Chinese market would depend on their realization.
