On the road for Saxony

Mr. Horn, today the industry meeting in Chemnitz, tomorrow the ground-breaking ceremony with the investor and the day after tomorrow the trade fair in Dubai - does that roughly describe the remit of Saxony's economic development agency?

Yes, that sums it up quite well. For over 30 years, we have been opening doors, building bridges and networking in Saxony, Germany and the world for Saxony as a business location and for Saxon companies. Whether it's relocations and investment projects, joint stands at international trade fairs, business trips or project workshops for a wide range of industries - the range is extremely extensive and diverse.

Keyword trade fairs: Where do you see potential for Saxon companies?

Of course, this varies greatly from sector to sector. But the export figures from recent years show that Europe is clearly the most important target region overall. In a country comparison, China, the USA, Poland, the Czech Republic and the UK are the largest sales markets. However, it is not only exports that are important, but also well-functioning supply chains. And our neighboring countries Poland and the Czech Republic in particular are the most important partners here. But of course the markets are constantly changing. Together with our partners from the Foreign Trade Initiative (AWIS), we try to reflect these market developments as well as industry and technology trends and the results of company surveys in our offerings such as business trips, information events and, of course, the annual trade fair program.

Where can companies present themselves as part of the state fair program and what are the benefits?

In addition to established events such as JEC in Paris and Arab Health in Dubai, this year's events include gamescom in Cologne and Semicon Japan in Tokyo. Participation in a joint stand has time and cost advantages for the companies and is associated with less preparation work, as the organization and marketing measures accompanying the trade fair are handled by WFS. Exhibitors also benefit from the greater reach and visibility of such a joint stand in an attractive location compared to exhibiting as an individual exhibitor, as well as from the "pulling power" of the co-exhibitors.

The distances to Poland and the Czech Republic are particularly short. What joint projects have emerged here?

This interview is not enough to list it all. Because cooperation with these countries is more intensive and diverse than anywhere else. A good example is the Polish-German-Czech Cooperation Forum, which takes place annually in November in the Krkonoše Mountains. This format has been in existence since 1994 and last year's 30th forum in Karpacz attracted over 500 participants from all three countries to this largest cooperation exchange in the border triangle.

Are there also new projects?

Our EU project "Glocalization: think globally, act locally" was launched this year. Our central partner here is the German-Czech Chamber of Commerce Abroad in Prague, with the Chemnitz Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the Dresden Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the Karlovy Vary Chamber of Commerce and the MAS Ceský Sever business association also involved. One of the aims of the project is for SMEs in the Saxon-Czech border region to develop and diversify their cross-border supply chains. The central measure of the project is a networking tool, which is intended as a digital platform to support companies in selling their products and services, in the search for new suppliers and cooperation partners and in making contact with R&D facilities.

The WFS regularly organizes business trips. Why should companies use this tool?

Because this is the best and easiest way to get to know new markets. Participants benefit from a technically and organizationally compactly prepared programme and our many years of expertise, which is complemented by experienced local partners. They meet the relevant industry and network partners directly and have the opportunity to make personal contacts. In the case of delegation trips with political accompaniment, this is often an effective door opener for discussions with important decision-makers who would otherwise not be readily available. Of course, not every trip results in an immediate business deal, but it is usually an important first building block on the way there, as participants repeatedly confirm. Another aspect that is rarely the focus, but also offers great added value, is networking with other Saxon participants.

Support for Saxon companies is also available as part of the sector work. How exactly does that work?

Our industry work focuses on Saxony's core sectors, such as mechanical engineering, microelectronics, automotive technology, life sciences and other innovative future technologies and applications, such as automation and robotics, AI and hydrogen. We try to support technology transfer in various formats and projects and promote networking between the various players from business and science to help them think outside the box. Cross-industry cooperation also plays a major role here. In our view, there is enormous potential here. Especially as more and more companies are recognizing the benefits of such partnerships in order to develop innovative solutions and open up new markets. One example of this is the use of robotics and automation in the healthcare sector or agriculture.

The WFS also works to attract investors to Saxony. The most prominent example last year was the Taiwanese chip manufacturer TSMC, which is building its first European factory in Dresden. The ground-breaking ceremony took place in August. How is the project going?

The Saxon state government, the relevant authorities, the city of Dresden and we as Saxony Economic Development Corporation are working closely with the investor to ensure that everything goes according to plan. The ground-breaking ceremony was the first major milestone. The fact that this took place in August - just over a year after the investment decision was announced - shows that we can realize such major projects on schedule here in Saxony.

What expectations and goals are associated with this settlement?

This project will have a major impact on the entire business location of Saxony, far beyond Dresden. That is why we are now working in parallel with the construction of the Fab together with a wide range of partners to strengthen and further develop the existing Saxon value chains here and to systematically expand them with other regional and international suppliers and service providers. The growth of the "Silicon Saxony" region is a huge opportunity for suppliers of all sizes and types - from materials, machines and equipment to software and services. Whether from Germany, Europe, the USA or Asia - the door is wide open for everyone. The WFS is available as a point of contact for corresponding inquiries. Together with the Saxon state government, we are also pursuing the goal of making Saxony the "Taiwan hub" for Taiwanese companies in Germany and Europe. We would be delighted if numerous Taiwanese companies from both the microelectronics and other sectors were to set up their new European base here.

The issue of skilled workers is playing an increasingly important role in all sectors. How does WFS contribute to this?

This issue is one of the greatest challenges for further successful economic development. In addition to leveraging all domestic potential, this can only be achieved with the targeted recruitment of skilled workers and employees from abroad. To this end, the Saxon state government has adopted a skilled labor strategy and the SMWA has commissioned us to contribute our many years of foreign trade expertise and experience to the recruitment of international skilled workers and employees. This is a very important task that will challenge us all in the coming years and in which we will of course also work closely with many other partners here in Saxony and abroad.

Do you already have initial experience and possible projects?

Initial projects in India in March and in Uzbekistan in May have shown the potential there and also the ways in which this can be advanced. In mid-August, we held a kick-off event to introduce the WFS team and its services as well as the opportunities for collaboration to representatives from industry networks and recruiters. Another pilot project was our appearance at the Pharmed & Healthcare trade fair in Vietnam in mid-September. In October, we want to hold initial talks in Mexico and in November, we are planning a one-week fall campus in western Saxony to get Uzbek pupils interested in training in Saxony. This project is the result of our trip to Uzbekistan in May this year, where we successfully established initial contacts with schools and training institutions.