Stuttgart, 26.06.2008: This year, Baden-Württemberg International (bw-i) will be represented at InnoTrans in Berlin for the first time in the form of a joint booth. In conjunction with innovative companies from the state such as ASK Kugellagerfabrik, Autronic, Borries, Engeser, Georg Schlegel, Jetter, Rotec, Sphinx and Spohn & Burkhardt, bw-i will be using the joint booth (Stand 124) in Hall 8.2 to demonstrate the state's leading position in the area of railway transportation systems, railway infrastructure development and rail-bound transportation.

In the last few years, railway transportation systems have experienced an enormous growth in importance. This trend can also be observed in Germany. Rising fuel prices and more stringent regulations regarding emissions are forcing companies and consumers to rethink their positions. Rail transportation is therefore becoming more and more important as an alternative method of transporting people and goods. The number of people using regional rail services has been rising yearly by 1 to 3 per cent since 2005. For the transportation of goods by rail, very much higher growth rates are expected. The Wirtschaftsrat (industry council) is thus forecasting that the amount of goods transported by rail will double by 2020. This development will entail a greater demand for the products of the railway transportation industry as well as of related branches of industry such as track and tunnel construction. 

Baden-Württemberg occupies a leading position in this growth sector. With innovative high-tech solutions, the manufacturers of trains, tracks and other technical railway products have achieved an outstanding position on the market. In the south-west, good infrastructural conditions in the rail transport sector are combined with highly qualified engineers who are pushing ahead the development and design of innovative rail solutions. "In view of the cutting-edge developments currently to be observed in the transportation sector, railway transportation is clearly one of the growth industries today. At InnoTrans in Berlin, experts from Baden-Württemberg International will be providing advice to companies from Germany and abroad regarding the possibilities of investment and cooperation and will be showing that companies from the transportation systems area will find excellent conditions for business in our federal state", said Dr. Michael Hagenmeyer, CEO of bw-i.

Baden-Württemberg International offers the possibility of taking part in the following international trade fairs: Lasys, CeBIT, Hannover Messe, IFAT, Achema, Intersolar, TopClinica, InnoTrans, Motek, Expo Real, K, electronica / productronica and Medica. If you are interested in taking part in any of these, please contact:

Baden-Württemberg International
Birgit Seese
Tel.: 0711-22787-32
Fax: 0711-22787-22
birgit.seese@bw-i.de