speeches
American Chamber of Commerce
Ambassador William R. Timken, Jr.
Munich
November 15, 2005
Chairperson Jürgen Gromer, AmCham Members, Ladies and Gentleman:
I’m delighted to be here in Munich to participate at this AmCham event in honor of Governor Jeb Bush and the Enterprise Florida trade delegation. This impressive gathering further emphasizes the very successful business relationship that already exists between Florida and this region of Germany. The more than 100 Florida business representatives that are in this delegation are building on a relationship that has produced significant trade and major investments on both sides of the Atlantic.
Before I introduce Governor Bush, who will have much more to say about the aims of the Enterprise Florida mission, let me take this opportunity to say “thank you” to the people of Munich and Bavaria for their support and generosity in helping those affected by Hurricane Katrina. Just to note a few examples -- jazz and blues benefit concerts are being held this month and next to help New Orleans musicians in Würzburg. Youngsters from an elementary school in Erding, a city near the Munich airport, collected $600 that they will forward to a hard-hit New Orleans elementary school. Munich University has opened its school to three students from Xavier University and University of New Orleans who will continue their studies under scholarship. As Governor Bush knows all too well, such expressions of support, whether across State lines or across the Atlantic, are true bonds of friendship.
America appreciates what Germany has done for the victims of Katrina, yet we face another humanitarian crisis on the other side of the globe in Pakistan. The U.S. Government has just increased its pledge to over $100 million in relief aid and is calling on other countries to expand their assistance and generosity during that country’s time of dire need. I don’t need to recount the tragic situation that we are witnessing on television, but there is a clear urgency with the Himalayan winter approaching. I urge all of you to support such efforts to the greatest extent you can.
Let me return to the topic at hand in taking advantage of the excellent business opportunities presented here today. These entrepreneurs represent a wide spectrum of industries, from medical products to energy, yet they share in common the willingness to learn about this market.
As a businessman for some years, I know of no better way to enter a new market than to listen to the voices of experience. So I encourage all AmCham members here to share your views and advice with the Florida delegates – it is certainly a great way to increase AmCham membership here.
Let me state an evident fact to trigger your discussions -- we face significant economic and commercial challenges in areas such as the environment, energy, and manufacturing. Yet I am convinced that in drawing two great dynamic economies together, be it Bavaria and Florida or the U.S. and Germany, we will produce technology and talent that is unmatched anywhere in the world.
One significant trade challenge we face over the next weeks is to seek common ground and mutual understanding at the next Doha round. We have clear opportunities in the agricultural sector but it will take bold and decisive action. At stake is the expansion of world trade and the promotion of economic growth. According to the World Bank, the elimination of trade barriers especially for agricultural products would benefit the world’s economy by nearly $300 billion over the next ten years. Two-thirds of such income gains would go to middle and low-income countries. Through the elimination of trade distorting and expensive agricultural subsidies, countries such as Germany and the great trading States such as Bavaria will benefit through the stimulation of worldwide demand and rising standards of living. Thus both developed and developing countries would gain. However, it will take German leadership to pave the way within the EU for lower tariff barriers for farm goods. Equally, German leadership, in partnership with the United States, will be essential to a successful agreement on agriculture at the next Doha round discussions. Addressing this key component of our trading system will go a long way to restoring Germany to its proper role as a driver of regional and global economic growth.
As you are all aware, my responsibility, assigned to me by the Governor’s brother, is to further advance the bilateral relationship between our two great countries. All that you are doing today and on behalf of that relationship is very important and I thank all of you, including our visitors.
I wish the Florida delegation productive and fruitful discussions, and AmCham continued success.
It is now my honor and pleasure to introduce the Governor of the State of Florida, Jeb Bush.
