The 15 East German chambers of industry and commerce that make up the Heringsdorf Circle are calling on the German government to submit a bid for Expo 2035 in the Berlin-Brandenburg capital region to the International Expo Bureau (Bureau International des Expositions) in Paris. Expo 2035 can actively support structural change in Berlin and the eastern German federal states and provide sustainable support through innovation, investment and training.
A world exhibition is both an international think tank and a showcase for the national economy. The whole of Germany therefore benefits from the appeal of a world exhibition, according to the Chamber Association. The expected boost in innovation and investment will have a lasting positive effect on the eastern German states in particular, including the metropolitan region.
According to auditing firm PwC, additional GDP growth in the double-digit billion range is expected for Germany. Around two billion euros in direct turnover is possible in the hotel, catering and retail sectors, for example. A look at the Expo in Osaka, Japan, last year also shows the leverage effect of a world exhibition for private investment. The regional effect is a multiple of the pure investment sum, because orders, visitor flows and follow-up investments create added value far beyond the actual budget.
The signals from the Expo office in Paris for an Expo 2035 in Germany are positive. A concept for Expo 2035 is already available and the bid is supported by a broad alliance from business, science and society.
Time is pressing. In view of international competition and ongoing preparations by other candidate countries, Germany should not delay any longer.
This is why the 15 East German chambers of industry and commerce that make up the Heringsdorf Circle are appealing to the federal government to submit a bid for Expo 2035 in the Berlin-Brandenburg capital region.
