TECHNOGERMA Jakarta '99: Germany's best on offer
TECHNOGERMA Jakarta '99: Germany's best on offer
German technology will be on show in Indonesia during
TECHNOGERMA Jakarta '99 from March 1 to March 7 at the Jakarta
Convention Center.
TECHNOGERMA is an exhibition by German high-tech companies.
Some 200 German companies will be exhibiting a wide-range of
technologies and goods, including mechanical engineering and
plant construction; electrical engineering and electronics;
chemicals; precision engineering and optics; automotive
construction; environmental technology; service providers; and
institutional information.
The sheer number and diversity of exhibits ensures that there
will be something of interest or use for everyone, whether you
are just a curious person or a potential partner for a German
high-tech company.
TECHNOGERMA's history
Germany's participation in foreign trade fairs dates back to
1949. It did not take long for German companies to realize that
taking part in these fairs was an effective way to reintroduce
the world market to their products and goods.
The Federal Government of Germany also saw trade fairs as an
opportunity for Germany to reenter foreign markets. From the
beginning, the government has provided the financial support for
German companies to participate in foreign trade fairs.
From its modest beginning of gingerly bringing German
companies back into the world market, the foreign trade fair
program today covers more than 150 events a year.
Of these events, none is larger than the TECHNOGERMA
exhibition, a once every four years sensation of the best of
German high-tech.
TECHNOGERMA began in the 1950s as the German Industry
Exhibition. The idea behind these exhibitions was for German
industries, in cooperation with the Federal Government, to
present German technology in specific markets.
Its goal was to present the efficiency of German industries in
countries still in the initial stages of economic development and
which did not possess a trade fair industry.
The first of 14 such exhibitions took place in Mexico City in
1954. Since then, the exhibition has traveled the globe. From
Europe, Asia and Africa to South America, German industry has
presented itself around the world.
The exhibition came to Jakarta in 1979, under the name
INDOGERMA. This first German exhibition in Indonesia encouraged a
growing cooperation and collaboration between German and
Indonesian companies, demonstrating the kind of positive results
such an exhibition can achieve.
Twenty years later, German technology decided to return here
with TECHNOGERMA Jakarta '99.
The decision to hold TECHNOGERMA Jakarta '99 was made in May
1996. The Federal Ministry of Economics gave TECHNOGERMA Jakarta
'99 top priority among its foreign trade fair promotions by
allocating 10 percent of its trade fairs budget in 1999. And
Federal Minister of Economics Dr. Werner Mller has pledged his
personal support and will be in Jakarta for the opening of the
exhibition.
Organized by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology,
in cooperation with the Association of the German Trade Fair
Industry (AUMA) and the support of the German-Indonesian Chamber
of Commerce and Industry in Jakarta (EKONID), the event is
implemented by Internationaler Messe-und Ausstellungsdienst GmbH
(IMAG).
TECHNOGERMA Jakarta '99 is not only supplemented by specialist
symposia, but also by a cultural program.
TECHNOGERMA Jakarta's Goals
Despite the fact that TECHNOGERMA Jakarta '99 is sold out, a
clear sign of the support which the event has generated, there
has been some question about whether the exhibition would be held
in light of the economic crisis in Indonesia.
In June 1998, organizers discussed the situation with the
Indonesian government, and the decision was reached to continue
with the exhibition.
Potential is a popular word among exhibition organizers and
participants to describe the business climate in Indonesia.
German companies realize that while the present conditions are
bleak, the future is bright for the prospects of German
businesses in Indonesia.
Erich T. Geis, chief economist at Kreditanstalt fur
Wiederaufbau (KfW), a state-owned bank which is active in making
loans to Indonesian and its private sector, said that KfW would
not close down projects financed by the bank despite the unrest
in the country.
"We are a long-term investor and our commitment to the country
is always on a long-term basis."
KfW will take part in the exhibition in the services sector.
Thomas Brandt from the German-Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and
Industry said, "They (German companies) have had 20 to 30 good
years here, so they realize they may have to deal with one or two
bad ones. And finally, the market will not disappear in the
medium and long term."
He added that the current economic crisis here provided the
opportunity for German companies to focus on the business
relationships which they had already formed and to develop new
ones.
The consensus among all participants of TECHNOGERMA Jakarta
'99 is that now is the time to think about the potential which
Indonesia holds for German companies and businesses.
TECHNOGERMA Jakarta programs
The main attraction at TECHNOGERMA Jakarta '99 is, of course,
the exhibitions themselves. Offering something for everyone, no
matter what their business or interest, the exhibition is a
veritable feast of German industries.
If you want to check out the latest developments in electrical
engineering and electronics, there are a number of companies
showing their goods at the exhibition. You can see, for example,
the latest developments at L.J. Elektronik GmbH or RILE Roboter
und Anlagen-technik GmbH.
Maybe you are interested in constructing a new power plant or
improving the performance of your old plant. ABB Kraftwerke AG
will offer you some of the newest technologies and solutions for
any power plant project.
Sure to be a big draw at the exhibition are the companies
showing the latest technology in automotive construction.
Daimler-Benz AG, GKN Automotive AG and ZF Friedrichshafen AG,
among others, are sure to be popular among both those in the
industry and the public.
Another sector which should have a lot to offer is
environmental technology. Such companies as KKI Schmitt KG,
Taprogge GmbH, Loeffler Filter-Technik GmbH and Feuer Eastwerke
Wetro GmbH will show the latest technology in the industry. Such
information could prove very useful to Indonesian companies and
anyone interested in environmental issues.
With the services sector providing information and technology
in the banking, insurance and investment industries, among
others, and institutional information, TECHNOGERMA truly is a
feast which will whet the appetites of all gourmands.
Another aspect of TECHNOGERMA is its symposium schedule. These
specialist lectures will present expert speakers plumbing the
depths of a variety of topics and issues.
Topics as diverse as The Response of Rice to the Fertilization
of NPK, presented by BASF Aktiengesellschaft, Brand Naming in
Asia, a lecture given by BeWeTe Consulting, and Modern Aspects in
Cardiac Surgery, a lecture from Herz-und Diabeteszentrum
Nordrhein-Westfalen, will be covered.
If you are a technophobe, you may assume that TECHNOGERMA
Jakarta has nothing to offer you. However, this assumption is
entirely wrong because this exhibition is about more than just
technology, business and lectures, it is also about presenting a
complete picture of Germany. And an important part of this
picture is the German culture.
So, in order to provide a balanced view of all Germany has to
offer, both in technology and in the arts, TECHNOGERMA Jakarta
'99 offers a complete cultural program.
For all those lovers of the arts, or for those who are merely
interested in all aspects of Germany, the cultural program will
offer concerts, movies and photo exhibitions. You can hear German
musicians perform some of the works of Chopin, Bach and
Beethoven, see a screening of the classic German film Metropolis
or wander among a photo exhibition chronicling Germany since
1945. All of these events should provide insight and appreciation
into the rich cultural life of Germany.
TECHNOGERMA Jakarta '99 truly caters to all tastes and
desires. With the latest in German technology on display in a
dazzling number of industries and specialties, the exhibition
offers Indonesian industries the opportunity to explore new
technologies and methods which could eventually prove beneficial
to their businesses.
The event provides German and Indonesian business executives
the chance to form new ties or renew old acquaintances, a process
which is sure to benefit both sides in the long term. The
exhibition also gives ordinary Indonesians who may not care much
for technology the occasion to learn more about Germany.
TECHNOGERMA Jakarta '99 is, indeed, a grand event not to be
missed.