State Secretary Rapp for talks in Paris

dr. Patrick Rapp, State Secretary in the Ministry of Economics, Labor and Tourism, met on April 28, 2023 with high-ranking representatives of the French central government and the Franco-German economy in Paris. In particular, the cross-border cooperation between Baden-Württemberg and France was discussed in the talks in the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "The cross-border cooperation on the Oberrhein symbolically stands for the strong Franco-German friendship. The French central state is an important player, so I am happy about the openness with which we were able to discuss in Paris about joint questions for the Oberrhein region," emphasized the State Secretary.

Even in the 30th year of its existence, there are still obstacles in the European internal market that come to light in particular in the border regions: cross -border management and work is still associated with bureaucratic hurdles for companies and employees. These should continue to be reduced in the sense of the four basic freedoms (freedom of personal, goods, service and service and capital traffic.

Removing the obstacles to cross -border cooperation

In this context, State Secretary Dr. Patrick Rapp, among other things, on the implementation of the European disposal directive for cross -border services or on mobile work in border regions such as the Upper Rhine. Dr. Patrick Rapp said: "Corona pandemic has particularly challenged the European border regions. Now, together with our French friends and at the European level, existing obstacles to cross-border cooperation applies, for example, to reduce cross-border service provision or in mobile work in border regions. In particular, the European idea must prove itself along the Rhine."

On April 27, 2023, State Secretary Dr. Patrick Rapp The composite-fabric fair "JEC World 2023" Visited at the Parisian exhibition center in Villepinte: 23 exhibitors from Baden-Württemberg presented themselves there for three days at the company community stand of Baden-Württemberg International (bw_i) . In addition, Baden-Württemberg companies with their own stands were represented at the international leading trade fair in the industry.

France very important economic partner

The Ministry of Economics, Labor and Tourism Baden-Württemberg is represented in several committees of cross-border cooperation, for example the chair in the working group "Wirtschaft und Work" in the Oberrhein conference Inne.

For Baden-Württemberg, France is a very important business partner. In 2022, France was fourth in the exports from Baden-Württemberg with a share of 7.1 percent of total exports (volume: 18.5 billion euros). Regarding imports to Baden-Württemberg, France is in seventh place with a 5.2 percent share of total imports (volume: 13.5 billion euros).

The most important export goods from Baden -Württemberg to France are motor vehicles and parts as well as machines. The most important import goods from France to Baden-Württemberg are chemical products as well as motor vehicles and parts (all numbers for 2022, preliminary data from the State Statistical Office of Baden-Württemberg).