Collaboration Between ZEW and Chinese Institutions Intensifies

Last week, ZEW's Director of Business and Administration, Thomas Kohl, joined a delegation of 120 representatives from the fields of politics, business and academia to China, following an invitation by the State of Baden-Württemberg. He undertook a packed programme of meetings and visits in Beijing, Shenyang, Nanjing, Shanghai, and the Eastern Chinese city of Taicang, where around 230 businesses from Baden-Württemberg have established local branches. During the delegation's visit to China, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW), a member of the Leibniz Association, and the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE) in Beijing.

Kohl has been left with a positive impression following his week-long visit to China. His stay in China gave him an opportunity to exchange ideas and experience with German companies located there, as well as with Chinese experts from the fields of business and science. He was therefore able to gain first-hand insights into issues which are of current, mid- or long-term relevance to China's national economy. "These opportunities allow us to make personal contacts," said Kohl, "which serve as a valuable basis for further collaboration between ZEW and research partners in China. Informing Chinese and German partners located in China about the work of our research institute may also pave the way for possible cooperation in the future."

A high point of Kohl's visit to China was the signing of a cooperation agreement with the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE) in Beijing. The signing of the agreement, in the presence of the Minister-President of Baden-Württemberg, Winfried Kretschmann, as well as the Minister of Finance and Economics, Dr. Nils Schmid, and Minister of Science, Research and the Arts, Theresia Bauer, marked the beginning of the development of a study programme on automotive industry topics. The Nürtingen-Geislingen University of Applied Sciences (HfWU) in Baden-Württemberg is also involved in this project. "The signing of this agreement will further intensify the cooperation of ZEW with Chinese partners", explains Thomas Kohl. The research institute has been collaborating with renowned universities in China on research projects for many years.

For more information please contact

Thomas Kohl, Phone:+49(0)621/1235-111, E-mail kohl@zew.de