THE German Industry 4.0 initiative, a strategy adopted by Germany aimed at digitalizing its manufacturing industry, is paving a new era for in-depth cooperation between Bao’an and Germany.

As a traditional manufacturing hub in Shenzhen, Bao’an has enhanced collaboration and exchanges with Germany in recent years, ushering in a new round of industrial transformation and upgrading for its industries.

According to statistics, Bao’an’s foreign trade with Germany in 2017 amounted to US$1.50 billion, of which exports and imports accounted to US$1.056 billion and US$445 million, respectively.

More than 1,700 Bao’an-based firms have exported products to Germany. The main exports include micro motors, electric lamps and lighting devices, direct current motors, and other mechanical and electrical products. Meanwhile, more than 600 products, including aircraft and related parts and integrated circuits, were imported to Bao’an from Germany.

By the end of March this year, a total of 14 Bao’an firms have invested a total of US$72 million in Germany. Likewise, Germany has invested in 29 firms in Bao’an totaling US$258 million, according to official figures.

The cooperation between Bao’an and Germany is highly complementary and can be developed into a more extensive partnership, said an analyst. Bao’an has a strong demand for technological innovation while Germany is in need of exporting its technologies and products to a broader market.

Stefan Schroder, president of Logistics Alliance Germany also echoed this view in a recent visit to Bao’an. He proposed to strengthen the collaboration with Bao’an in sports, medical services and devices, logistics equipment and software.

Meanwhile, Bao’an’s district government is planning to build a cooperation zone for medium and small-sized enterprises to further take in German technologies and upgrade its traditional industries.

The cooperation zone will center on four areas, including intelligent equipment, environmental protection, exhibition and vocational education, emphasizing the integration with the German Industry 4.0 initiative and the training of workers.

In addition, the establishment of the China-German (Europe) Industrial Model Park has become another significant move undertaken by Bao’an to promote the connection between Bao’an-based firms and their German counterparts.

The Bao’an-German (Europe) Industrial Development Cooperation Alliance, supported by the Bao’an’s district government, was also established in November 2016. The alliance aims to expand exchanges with Germany in areas such as intelligent manufacturing, environmental protection and electronic information. (Zhang Yu)