Newsletter July 2010

The German American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. New York held its summer board meeting at the DIN Institute in Berlin on June 23, 2010. After the board meeting the Director of DIN, the German Institute for Standardization, Dr. Torsten Bahke hosted a dinner for the GACC board and other distinguished guests. The highlight of the evening was a panel discussion about German American economic relations with the German Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Klaus Scharioth, the Deputy Chief of the U.S. Mission in Berlin, Mr. Greg Delawie, State Secrectary Dr. Bernd Pfaffenbach of the Federal Minstry of Economics and Technology, and Prof. Dr. Bruno Braun, Chairman of TUV Rheinland, Berlin Brandenburg and Rheinland Pfalz. The discussion was moderated by Caroll H. Neubauer, Chairman of the GACC New York. In a lively discussion the numerous facets of the economy were touched and it became clear that the issues of concern are not so different on both sides of the Atlantic.

The German American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. in cooperation with its members Kuypers Branding and Duravit USA Inc. invites you to an evening about

Cross Culture Branding
The challenge of establishing German brands in the US market

Thursday, July 15, 2010

6 PM - 8 PM
 at Duravit NYC

Germany receives top marks as an investment location in the eyes of international managers. This is the result of a new study on the attractiveness of European markets published by Ernst & Young. According to the survey, Germany reaffirmed its position as the most attractive investment location in Europe and improved in the global rankings to become one of the top five locations worldwide. This year's Ernst & Young study surveyed 814 international decision-makers on the attractiveness of the European economic area. An additional 205 foreign companies were asked questions specific to Germany as a business location. 38 percent of those surveyed indicated an increase in Germany's attractiveness in 2009, despite the effects of the economic downturn. At the same time, 54 percent expect Germany to continue to increase in attractiveness over the next three years. This marks a jump from 37 percent in the previous year's study.

>>> Please click here to continue reading.

The Obama administration plans to expand incremental reductions in the thresholds of fuel consumption of light automobiles to other vehicles. The change is slated to take effect between 2012 and 2016. The original regulation, scheduled for 2016 at the latest, specified that cars consuming 1 gallon (3.7 liters) of gasoline or diesel fuel were to deliver a minimum of 35.5 miles (57.12 km). In addition, for the first time fuel consumption will be coupled to upper limits of CO2 emissions. Even though the forthcoming cap is to be applied to still more types of vehicles and necessitates higher investments by automotive producers, the industry supports the move in the face of a potential threat whereby California would proceed in lowering fuel consumption standards on its own. Usurping federal regulation by a state would unleash an unstoppable flood of legislation by other U.S. states and lead to deviation of standards throughout the country. Alternatively, new federal regulations would have to be oriented to the California law. In effect the federal government would have lost its ability to deal with this issue autonomously. >>> Read the full article in the July/August German American Trade issue on page 10-12.

European American Solar Deployment Conference

PV Rollout

Omni Parker House, Boston, USA
February 10th/11th, 2011 Deadline for submissions of abstracts:
September 4th, 2010 Please upload your abstract to our review system at:
http://review.otti.eu Papers will be presented either orally or in poster sessions. The
abstract, one page in English, should include: full title, author’s full
name, affi liation, address, phone/fax/e-mail, name and affi liation of
co-authors, topic, kind of presentation (oral or poster), a brief summary
including the purpose, methods, approach, results and conclusions of
the presented work. You will receive an e-mail with the result of the
evaluation by mid-October. Please contact gabriele-struthoff-mueller@otti.de
Phone: +49 941 29688-29, Fax: +49 941 29688-54

The TerraTec is the only environmental trade fair taking place in Germany in 2011 with a broad offering of environmental technologies and services.

Focal Points in 2011:

• Decentralized wastewater technology / water supply
• Waste management and recycling
• Process measurement, control and analysis technologies
• Soil conservation

TerraTec is the place for meeting market leaders as well as small to medium-size enterprises. The enertec, which has become one of the most comprehensive energy trade fairs in Europe, will be taking place at the same time.

For further information about the TerraTec or enertec please contact Ms. Nicole Klug, the U.S. representative of Leipzig Trade Shows.