Featured Country: Germany

Like all European economies, Germany did not escape the international economic crisis. Its economy contracted 5.3% (according to IMF estimates) in 2009, one of the most serious recessions in Europe. The German government rescue plan to bolster the banking system (around 500 billion euro) has restored confidence. A small positive economic growth rate of 0.3% is expected for 2010.

With its 82 millions inhabitants, Germany is the biggest market in the European Community. The country has a long history of industrial development and offers opportunities for potential subcontractors in the automotive industries, machinery and equipment, chemistry, information technologies, etc.

The German American Chambers of Commerce, based in New York with branches in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia ! and San Francisco offer a broad range of services to their member companies and their websites offer good resources for doing business with Germany. For further details also visit their joint web portal.

Germany is also the location of many of the largest trade shows in the world. The largest of all is the Hannover Messe, this year to be held April 19-23 in Hannover. In 2010 the spotlight of the Messe will be industrial automation, energy, technology, industrial subcontracting and cutting-edge technologies. U.S. companies should consider exhibiting at the fair in the U.S. Commercial Service’s American Business Center, co-sponsored by FEDEX and Hannover Fairs USA.

To find business partners and sources for German goods take a look at the Federal German Ministry of Economics and Technology’s eTrade Center, a database of most German companies that are looking for trade opportunities. For Visa, Education and Business Travel, look at the Website of the German Missions in the United States. And for other general purpose and more useful links, visit Deutschland.de , the German Information Portal. If you are needing international health and life insurance, then visit http://www.globalcitizeninsurance.com/ or http://www.worldwidemedical.com./ don't forget also the website of the U.S. Commercial Service in Germany. The site gives extensive information about the markets and business culture there.

If that's not enough, you'll also find plenty of good research at the German Mini Portal, a feature of the FITA Web site. The German Mini Portal has an overview of Germany, with facts about the language, currency, climate, etc., plus more specific information about the economy, markets, taxes, labor market indicators and tips on doing business in Germany.