The market impact of the corona pandemic and the opportunities offered by digital products and processes were the focus of the 2021 Foreign Trade Day on April 20 for around 300 participants from politics, business and diplomatic representatives.

Under the motto “(Post-) Corona Weltspiegel: The new normal”, target countries such as Brazil, China, France, Russia, the USA and the United Arab Emirates were the focus of various discussion panels.

China – Virtual World Mirror of the GHA-German Health Alliance

Innovation activity, growth of China’s healthcare sector and China’s self-sufficiency ambitions offer opportunities and challenges

The virtual world mirror ‘China’, which was hosted by the GHA with proven China experts, met with very great interest with over 80 participants. It showed which seemingly unconventional networks can open doors for companies abroad.

Live from Beijing, participants got an first-hand look at the current situation in China. China was able to contain the corona pandemic relatively quickly and was one of the few countries to achieve positive growth of 2.3% in 2020. 77% of the more than 5,000 German companies in China see the development in 2021 positively and 72% want to invest further. In a politically not easy environment, opportunities and improvements were seen in the healthcare sector due to the rapid growth of the healthcare sector and the – negotiated but not yet ratified – EU investment agreement with China and the associated abolition of the joint venture constraint. Risks could lie in China’s goal of increasing the market share of Chinese suppliers in the high-tech medical technology sector to 60%.

Direct from Nanjing, the participants learned about the support opportunities offered by Baden-Württemberg International. The BWI Nanjing office supports small and medium-sized companies with know-how, intercultural competence and many years of experience in the controlled and efficient development of their business in China.

Innovation, speed, presence and market knowledge were seen as the most important criteria for companies entering the Chinese market. China’s ambition to build up its own manufacturing technologies in medical technology is currently very high and offers opportunities for German companies.

Representatives of two GHA members, both of which have been successful on the Chinese market for many years, reported from practical experience. Among other things, companies in China would have to adjust to growing competition and a significantly more innovative environment in China.

The positive survey feedback from the participants rounded off the exciting Foreign Trade Day. Among other things, the ‘genuine worldwide network of experts’ was mentioned and it was noted that ‘apparently everyone is ready and motivated to really step on the gas again when the restrictions fall’.

The Foreign Trade Day 2021 was a joint event of GHA – German Health Alliance, SPECTARIS – German Industry Association for Optics, Photonics, Analytical and Medical Technology, ZVEI – German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association, BAH – German Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and vfa – German Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies and was held with the participation of GTAI – Germany Trade and Invest and the Export Initiative Health Care Industry.