Germany.info : Business & Technology: What's New?

Germany.info Home: Business & Technology

Business & Technology

Global player at the heart of Europe - Germany has the world's third largest economy.

Latest News

ESA Astronaut Schlegel: "We Can’t Take Borders With Us Into Space"

The German astronaut spoke with Germany.info about his experience helping to deliver and install the European Columbus laboratory to the International Space Station in February. From space, “you don’t see any borders; you don’t see any religions, races,” Schlegel said.

Hundreds Meet the Astronauts at Air and Space Musuem

A standing-room-only crowd gathered at the National Air and Space Museum to hear three astronauts—Hans Schlegel of Germany, Léopold Eyharts of France, and Carl Walz of the United States—recount their experiences aboard the International Space Station and the Space Shuttle.

Climate Package II Banks on Energy Efficiency, More Use of Renewables

The German government is putting its faith in intelligent energy regulation and incentives to save energy, adopting a second package of measures as part of the Integrated Energy and Climate Program. For example, "intelligent meters" will help consumers choose efficiency and savings.

Meet the Astronauts at Air & Space Museum, June 24

German ESA astronaut Hans Schlegel, French ESA astronaut Léopold Eyharts and NASA astronaut Carl Walz will talk about their experiences aboard the International Space Station in this special event presented by the German Embassy, the French Embassy, the National Air and Space Museum, ESA and the German Aerospace Center and NASA.

Atlantis Astronauts Share Impressions of Earth with Chancellor Merkel

The crew of NASA space shuttle Atlantis, including Germany's Hans Schlegel, visited Chancellor Merkel in Berlin to report on their mission to deliver Europe's Columbus lab to the International Space Station and to share their impressions of planet earth viewed from space.

Bonn Meeting: Convention on Biodiversity at a Crossroads

Germany is hosting a two-week global conference on biodiversity, the largest environmental conference to ever be held in Germany. The UN Convention on Biological Diversity from May 19 to 30 in Bonn brings together a broad spectrum of some 5,000 international delegates

German Business Confidence Reports Third Monthly Increase

German business confidence rose for the third consecutive month in March, a key survey released Wednesday (March 26) showed, adding to hopes that Europe's biggest economy will be able to withstand the fallout from slowing global growth.

Renewable Energies Grow Strongly Again in 2007

Germany is well on the way to meeting its ambitious targets for the expansion of renewable energies. This is demonstrated by the most recent data on the development of renewable energies in 2007, which were published on March 14 by the German Federal Environment Ministry.

German Beech Forests considered for UNESCO Natural World Heritage Status

One year after the nomination of German beech forests as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site officially started, the activities organized at the federal and /Länder /(state) levels are entering into a new phase.

CeBIT 2008 to Join Discussion of Green Solutions

“Green IT” will be the buzzword at CeBIT 2008, the world’s largest computer and information technology fair. The Hanover fair will place special emphasis on environmental issues with a lecture program and in a marketplace of environmentally sound IT solutions.

Germany at Washington International Renewable Energy Conference

Germany will take part in WIREC 2008, the Washington International Renewable Energy Conference, hosted by the US Government, from March 4 to 6, with a high-ranking government delegation and a German Pavilion at the trade show.

Columbus Laboratory Module Commissioned as Part of ISS

Chancellor Angela Merkel placed an earth-to-space call to the ISS on February 14, praising the work of ESA astronauts and ISS crew as Europe’s Columbus laboratory module was commissioned as part of the International Space Station.

Germany Again World’s Export Champion; Trade Surplus Grows

German exporters achieved record sales in 2007 for the fifth year in a row, with exports rising 8.5 percent over the previous year, according to the Federal Statistical Office. In 2007, German companies sold goods worth 969.1 billion euros abroad

European Columbus Lab on its Way to International Space Station

With the lauch of space shuttle Atlantis from Kennedy Space Center on Thursday, ESA's Columbus labratory has begun the final leg of its journey to the International Space Station. German ESA astronaut Hans Schlegel will help attach the lab to the ISS in two space walks.

Germany to Press Forward with Ambitious Climate Goals

In the wake of the "excellent basis" achieved in Bali for negotiations on a post-2012 international agreement on climate change, Germany and Europe remain trailblazers with ambitious goals for cutting greenhouse gas emissions, Environment Minister Gabriel said.

Drop in Energy Use Coincides with Economic Growth in 2007

Germany’s energy use fell in 2007 to its lowest level since 1990, according to the Economics Ministry and based on a report by an energy industry consortium. This is especially gratifying as it coincides with robust economic growth, Economics Minister Glos said.

Employment Reaches Record Level in 2007

With an average of 39.7 million people working in Germany in 2007, the average number of people working reached the highest level since reunification, according to the Federal Statistical Office. Reforms boosted the labor market upswing, Chancellor Merkel said.

Germany’s Exports Up in October Despite Strong Euro

While a strong Euro has put Germany’s export sector under pressure, effective cost cutting and productivity boosting by German firms helped exports in October surge 6.3 percent ahead of last October.

Germany Helps Migrants Send Money Home Affordably

Last year, migrants in the European Union sent 27 billion euros ($39.5 billion) home. However, high banking fees meant financial institutions kept a large part of the remittances. A new German government Web site aims to help.

European Space Laboratory Columbus to Accelerate the Pace of Space Exploration

The orbiting laboratory is Europe’s most important contribution to the International Space Station, and it represents a high water mark in international cooperation on space research. Research in a zero gravity environment will help scientists plan longer space missions.

Merkel on the Bali conference: "Everyone must do their bit”

On the first day of the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali (Dec. 3), Chancellor Merkel called on all countries to do their bit to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. Speaking from Germany, she assured the conference that Germany would be leading the way.

Merkel: People are Starting to Benefit from Economic Upturn

The coalition government has done a good job in its first two years in office but should not rest on its laurels, Chancellor Merkel said during the Bundestag debate on the 2008 budget. "We must boost the economic base so that more people get the chance they deserve."

High-Tech Strategy Attracts Billions in Investment

The first year of the strategy has brought many new research and innovation policy initiatives. Industry research and development has received a three-billion-euro boost just from the initiation of strategic alliances between research and industry.

Study Proves: Climate Protection Pays; 5 Billion by 2020

The German government’s climate protection program will save private households and industry 5 billion euros by 2020, even factoring in the investments needed to achieve CO2 savings, according to findings by the Federal Environment Agency.