Departments

Economic and Science Department

As the world's second largest export country and the third largest importer of German goods and services in 2004, the United States is one of Germany's most important trading partners. In science and technology, the United States is Germany's most important partner outside Europe. Accordingly, the Economic and Science Department consists of more than 20 staff members, who strive to cultivate this close relationship and serve Germany's economic interests in the United States. The officers themselves represent six different ministries of the German government.

The functions of the Economic and Science Department are broad. First and foremost, the department follows U.S. politics and maintains contacts with U.S. policymakers, administration officials, lobbyists, and think tanks in order to gain a comprehensive picture of the economic situation and regulatory climate in the U.S. and to keep the German government informed about current developments in the host country. Furthermore, the department places a strong emphasis on the dialogue with its partners within the U.S. government as well as with American business, industry, and other institutions as a means to promote German interests and explain German views. To this end, the department prepares and organizes – often in cooperation with other departments of the Embassy – the visits of German delegations, consisting of politicians, government officials, or industry executives. Last but not least, the Economic and Science Department serves as a point of contact for German companies and associations doing business in the United States. In cooperation with organizations such as the German American Chambers of Commerce , the Representative of German Industry and Trade , Invest in Germany , the Industrial Investment Council , or the German American Business Council , the Economic and Science Department provides information and facilitates initial contacts for German businesses in the United States.

The Economic and Science Department is broken down into individual sections, which cover various subjects. The Economic and Commercial Policy Section deals with core economic questions ranging from transatlantic economic cooperation and export and investment promotion to trade and economic development issues. The energy and telecommunications sector is also handled by this section.

The Financial Policy Section follows U.S. macroeconomic policy, in particular budgetary and monetary policy, tax policy and legislation, and regulations pertaining to the financial sector. The section's other key activities include the analysis of U.S. anti money laundering policies as well as close cooperation with the Washington-based international financial institutions, mainly the World Bank and the IMF.

The Food, Agricultural and Consumer Affairs Section deals with, among other topics, agricultural trade issues, biotech crops and food, international food policy, and regulatory standards that affect consumers.

The Transportation Section covers policy issues relating to the various modes of transportation, such as aviation, and security issues as well as maritime affairs. Urban development and housing issues are also handled by the Transportation Section.

The Science, Technology, and Environment Section reports on policy issues concerning German-U.S. scientific and technical cooperation, energy research, technology, innovation, and climate change. It also acts as a point of contact for German scientists and scientific organizations in the United States, often in cooperation with the Washington office of the German Research Foundation (DFG) .

Finally, the customs liaison officer is affiliated with the Economic and Science Department. His office facilitates U.S.-German cooperation in the investigation of customs cases and covers political issues within that context.

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Economic and Science Department



Egon Kochanke

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Economic and Science Department
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