(DES MOINES) - Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds will promote economic opportunities in Germany during a mission beginning September 23, 2012. She will meet with the German Vice Chancellor and other economic affairs leaders to discuss trade, transportation, energy, health care and education.
"Germany is the largest economy in Europe and the world's fifth largest national economy," said Reynolds. "With a population of 82-million, many consider Germany the largest and most important market in Europe. This mission will result in valuable contacts and visibility across Germany for the state and its business opportunities." Time magazine writes Germany has forged the most competitive industrial sector of any advanced economy. And, the New York Times writes, "The German economy has been one of the wonders of the world over the last couple of years."
Reynolds will meet with German Vice Chancellor Dr. Philipp Rosler, U.S. Ambassador to Germany Philip Murphy, a federal minister to the Chancellor, a leader of the Saxon state legislature, the Saxon Minister of Economic Affairs and Transportation, and with energy researchers, university and high school teachers and administrators, business owners, and a hospital medical director. Meetings take place in Dresden, Lommatzsch, Leipzig, and Berlin.
"We will have several discussions with business owners regarding business conditions and the German apprenticeship program," said Reynolds. "At one of Germany's largest universities, we will be briefed on renewable energy projects and hear about how German universities and elected officials are working to address education funding gaps."
Reynolds will tour the largest hospital in Dresden and have opportunities to discuss comparative health care and financing with the medical chair of that hospital and with the German Deputy Minister for Health. She will be introduced to German approaches to immigration and other urban affairs and then visit a village of 5,000 people to hear about rural challenges and opportunities.
"I will get an underground tour of the "Big Dig" rail tunnel project in Leipzig, currently one of Europe's largest transportation infrastructure projects," said Reynolds. The project is considered one of the most challenging geotechnical construction projects of its time and, when complete in 2013, will create a long awaited connection to Europe's largest rail terminal (Leipzig) resulting in greatly enhanced transportation and rail efficiency across that region of Europe.
"Lieutenant governors will also be featured at a public forum discussing the U.S. Presidential elections," said National Lieutenant Governors Association Director Julia Hurst. "The electoral event will be moderated by an editor of Germany's largest business daily newspaper."
Organized by the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA), the 7-day mission includes five U.S. lieutenant governors and is hosted by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation.
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