Event reports
The first German-Latin-American conference of young entrepreneurs in the energy sector has been focussing on the exchange about the future of the German-Latin-American collaboration in the energy sector. As a consequence of the strong economic growth of Latin America as well as of the need to adapt to the climatic changes, the Latin-American countries encounter enormous challenges. A substantial demand for investments and technology transfer exists.
In the light of the “Energiewende” and given the worldwide leading position of German companies in the renewable energies sector, various opportunities for the German economy arise. But also fossil fuels continue to play a central role in Germany as well as in Latin America. At the same time, the German high-tech industry depends on a reliable supply of raw materials. Both sides are required to build sustainable and socially viable bi-regional economical relationships. An open dialogue about the current political and economical environment is an important prerequisite for their creation.
15 entrepreneurs and company representatives from Latin-America (Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela) as well as 15 German representatives from politics, the public sector and the (development) banking sector discussed the perspectives of an intensified cooperation in the energy sector. In this context, they explored the options of cooperation and spoke about already more specific projects of cooperation.
The conference constitutes a first attempt towards the creation of a growing bi-regional network which fosters the sustainable and long-term cooperation between Germany and Latin America. Further conferences are supposed to follow.
