Dear Ambassador Fanghänel,
Minister Sütterlin-Waack,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Welcome to this reception hosted by the German Embassy and the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg.
It is a great pleasure to meet so many partners and friends of Hamburg at a location more than 10,000 kilometers away.
Singapore is a true city-state, a sovereign country with an independent government, a strong economy and a high quality of life for its citizens.
We look at this with great respect, because in the history of Hamburg, it has always been the dream of its citizens to be as free and independent as possible and to be able to shape their own destiny.
That is why Hamburg has never accepted an emperor or king.
Hamburg has always been independent and still calls itself a "Free" and Hanseatic City that today has the status of a state in the Federal Republic of Germany with its own constitution and all the responsibilities and tasks of a city and a state in one hand.
Centuries of experience have also shown, that prosperity, independence, and strength are best secured and maintained with good and strong partners in the world, …
… with whom one can cooperate on an equal footing, in a spirit of trust, and to the mutual benefit of both parties.
This is the reason for our trip to Singapore.
I am accompanied by a large delegation representing science and research in our city, the start-up scene and the entire spectrum of our economy.
I would like to introduce to our guests from Singapore
- the President of the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, Mr Norbert Aust,
- and the President of the Hamburg Industry Association, Mr Andreas Pfannenberg.
Science and research are represented by
- the President of the University of Hamburg, Prof. Hauke Heekeren,
- the President of the University of Technology, Prof. Andreas Timm-Giel,
- the President of the University of Applied Sciences, Prof. Ute Lohrentz,
- and the President of Kühne Logistics University, Prof. Andreas Kaplan.
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
Singapore and Hamburg have much in common.
Both are port cities with a long tradition of international trade, global connections and cosmopolitan citizens who embrace innovation, digitalization and new technologies.
With a population of six million and the world's second-largest port, Singapore is setting standards – in shipping and logistics, in digital innovation, green technologies and public transport.
Singapore is Europe's most important trading partner in South-East Asia and the Port of Hamburg's third largest partner in seaborne container traffic.
With more than 800 years of port history, Hamburg is today Germany's largest port with liner services to more than 1,000 destinations around the world.
Statistically, five ships carrying containers from Singapore arrive at the Port of Hamburg every day. It could be even more when the port of Tuas is completed.
Around 400 companies from Hamburg do business with Singapore. Almost 150 of them have offices, joint ventures or a branch here.
As smart cities, Hamburg and Singapore have many things in common that go beyond business and trade.
Public transport is an important point: Hamburg's new U5 metro line runs autonomously.
Singapore's MRT was a model for us.
Our cities set standards in modern urban development.
In Singapore, people from all over the world admire the “Gardens by the Bay” as a green island of recreation.
In Hamburg, the almost completed Harbour City and the new Science City project can inspire other cities in Europe and the world.
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
As the geopolitical situation changes, Singapore, the ASEAN region and Europe are becoming increasingly important partners for each other.
Hamburg looks forward to fostering our relations: in government and administration, in business, in academia and many other areas.
The University of Hamburg and Nanyang Technological University today signed a MoU to promote contact and cooperation between their institutions.
The Digital Hub Logistics from Hamburg and PIER71 will cooperate in the maritime sector and related industries with a focus on start-ups.
We look forward to working together in the future.
Dear Ambassador Fanghänel,
On behalf of the Hamburg Senate and our delegation, I would like to thank you and your team at the German Embassy for hosting this event.
I would also like to thank our Hamburg Ambassador Ralf Schmidt, for the preparation of the program of the visit here in Singapore.
His excellent work and commitment to Hamburg contribute greatly to the cooperation between both cities.
Dear Mr Schmidt,
You are based here in Singapore and only come home to Hamburg from time to time.
As a small gesture of appreciation, I would like to invite you to the Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg's most famous concert hall.
Thank you for your work.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I wish you an inspiring evening, many new contacts and ideas for our cooperation:
- in trade and business,
- maritime logistics and port technologies,
- urban development, science and culture.
Inspiring ideas for the future of Hamburg and Singapore.
Thank you very much.
