Promoting foreign trade

Export business represents one way out of the economic crisis – Rhineland Palatinate and WFG can help companies exploit international markets.

Experienced exporters usually assert that "contacts, contacts and more contacts" are the secret to success when conducting business on an international level. And with good reason too: business partners play an important role as "door openers" to the international target market.

Only those entrepreneurs and companies that get to know the right partners and are able to establish suitable contacts will succeed in the long-term in an international business environment. The biggest problem in the whole process is reaching customers in the "unknown" market. The Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Economics has therefore published a service package that aims to help SMEs enter foreign markets.

Rhineland-Palatinate has been able to continuously increase its exports from EUR 31.7 billion in 2004 to EUR 45 billion in 2008. Foreign trade is essential for the province, as reflected in a foreign trade volume of around EUR 72 billion and an export ratio of almost 50%.

In order to develop this excellent global position further, the province of Rhineland-Palatinate can offer foreign trade-oriented companies multifaceted support, even – or more precisely, especially – during these difficult times. As part of its programme of events entitled "Wir öffnen Märkte 2010" (We are opening up markets 2010), there are a total of 13 trade fairs, 11 business tours, and eight symposia and informational events (forum on foreign trade for tradespeople and for industry, commerce and services) in Europe, Asia, America and Africa. Geographically speaking, the focus of these events is on the growth regions of Central and Eastern Europe, South and East Asia, the Arab and North African regions, as well as North America and Latin America.

Areas such as environmental technology, renewable energies, energy efficiency and healthcare management, in which companies located in Rhineland-Palatinate excel, will be a particular focus of attention.

Comprehensive advice, support and guidance will be provided to those participating in trade fairs and in organising collective stands under the brand name of Rhineland Palatinate. The business tours will include the organisation and execution of guided tours, company visits and expert symposia with an individual cooperation partner search.

In addition, organising business conferences with speakers from the target markets in advance of such trips is also part of the foreign trade promotional package. These steps should enable and simplify the entry of companies from Rhineland-Palatinate into lucrative foreign markets. The IHK (Chamber of Industry and Commerce) – with its 120 chambers of foreign trade, which act as bridge-heads in 80 countries around the world – provides support in all areas of market development, and can provide suitable discussion partners for every company.

Links und Download

Website of the "Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Verkehr, Landwirtschaft und Weinbau" (Ministry of Economics, Transport, Agriculture and Viticulture)

Website of the Mittel- und Osteuropazentrum (MOEZ) Rheinland-Pfalz GmbH
ISB trade fair support programme

Contact person
Hans-Peter Schomisch
Tel. (+49) 0261/108-282
Fax (+49) 0261/108-8282
eMail