Speaking in Hannover, the Deutsche Messe’s Board chairman Dr. Wolfram von Fritsch emphasized: “With France as the Partner Country, Hannover Messe will benefit from a strong partnership next year. The industrial nation France represents one of the most important target markets for exhibitors at Hannover Messe.”

France will present itself as a major European industrial nation, offering innovative ideas and technology for new and sustainable growth across Europe. “We are confident that the Partner Country presentation will consolidate and extend the already strong business and economic ties that exist between France and Germany”, said von Fritsch.

As the Partner Country to Hannover Messe 2011, France is joining Italy (2010), Korea (2009), Japan (2008), Turkey (2007), India (2006) and Russia (2005). In the past, the companies involved in Partner Country presentations at Hannover Messe have invariably reported that their participation generated full order books and business worth billions, according to Deutsche Messe AG.

In 2009, German exports to France were valued at 81.9 billion euros. Data published in May 2010 by Germany Trade & Invest, Gesellschaft für Außenwirtschaft und Standortmarketing mbH, Cologne, showed that German products account for an 18.3% share of the French market, making it the country’s biggest foreign supplier. According to the same study, 16 percent of all French exports go to Germany, which is thus the biggest international market for French products and services.

The Partner Country presentation in 2011 is being organized by Ubifrance, the French agency for international business and trade development. For many years Ubifrance has had an excellent track record promoting French business and supporting French exhibitors at events such as Hannover Messe.

Hannover Messe 2009 saw 6,297 exhibitors from 62 countries showcasing their products on a total net display area of 234,755 square meters. In 2009 France was represented by 115 exhibitors.

This globally top-ranking technology event will take place from 4 until 8 April 2010 at Hannover. Hannover Messe combines 13 leading trade fairs in one place: Industrial Automation, Energy, Power Plant Technology, Wind, MobiliTec, Motion, Drive & Automation, Digital Factory, Industrial Supply, CoilTechnica, MicroNanoTec, Research & Technology, SurfaceTechnology and ComVac.

Figure: Impressions of Hannover Messe 2010 from the field of Industrial Supply – Leading Trade Fair for Subcontracting and Leightweight Construction (photo: Deutsche Messe AG)