Globally Bonn Experts agree: Bonn is international

Bonn · A discussion about globalization zeros in on the role of the German economy, and Bonn’s standing on the international scene.

How important is Bonn in the big wide world? Economy and science experts met Thursday evening at the Bundeskunsthalle Art Museum for their 23 round of “Globally Bonn.” They discussed globalization, and the role of German companies, both large and middle-sized in the global economy. Experts were united in their view of Bonn as an international center. “When you measure the size and population of Bonn, it has achieved an enormous standard of internationalism,” said Jakob Ryhner, Vice-rector of the United Nations University. It is hoped that Bonn will be chosen by the United Nations (UN) to implement the Paris Climate Agreement, which would further strengthen Bonn’s role as a center of climate change work.

Michael Garvens, Chairman of the Management Board of the Cologne/Bonn airport pointed out the advantage of Germany’s many middle-sized firms. Because of their size, they can react with more agility on the international scene. While large corporations are somewhat like big tankers trying to steer around the global landscape, middle-sized companies can navigate more like speed boats. He said, “The wheels of globalization are turning faster and faster, and if you come too late, you’re penalized for life.”

Rhyner warned that smaller firms often don’t have the capacity to survive all the challenges of globalization and they have to seek out partners. Xuewu Gu, political scientist at the University of Bonn said Germany was highly regarded on the international scene, especially in Asia and Africa. “In China, German products are more highly valued than those coming from Japan, the U.S.A or France.” Amadou Diallo, CEO of DHL Freight, commented “In Germany, people are always very critical of themselves.”

Diallo took note that people here were not aware that Africa had one of the largest cell phone markets in the world, and that half of the world’s mobile banking takes place there. He also expressed that globalization is an ongoing process. It began 60,000 years ago when the first Africans moved to Europe and Asia.

Orig. text: Andreas Dyck

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