METZ – SAARBRUCKEN | WEBINAR

Metz-Saarbrücken, a region which is part of a quatropole with Luxemburg, Metz-Saarbrücken and Trier. Which has a current population of 11.3 million. In the region are currently 115.000 students because there are 6 universities, besides that the region gives the opportunity to develop in two or more countries at the same time for the young entrpreneurs.

In the presentation Ms. Stephanie Jüstel – Assistant Manager of WTC Metz Saarbrücken, Mr. Oliver Gröll, IHK Saarland (founding member of WTC Metz Saarbrücken)- Managing Director, Head of Foreign Trade and Ms. Danièle Behr, Inspire Metz, Business developer for cross-border activities and Director of BEHR Consulting gave a detailed description of promising sectors in combination with doing business in Metz-Saarbrücken, France and Germany.

Metz-Saarbrücken is one of the cities that World Trade Center Leeuwarden has been given the opportunity to present its city as a Promising City for International Business.

Saarland is known for the automotive industry. It provides 40.000 people with a job and in the region there are 200 suppliers. In Metz the automotive industry provides 35.000 jobs and there are 300 manufactures and suppliers. Other promising sectors are Transportation: Logistics & Warehousing, Retail & Consumer, Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering and R&D. The region is popular for start-ups in different industries for example digitality and science.

Danielle Behr – Director of BEHR Consulting, shares her experience about doing business in the region. One of the most important parts of doing business is the French language. If you really want to convince your potential business partner, do it in their own (French) language. The second cultural difference is don’t wait for a compromise, the French are looking for who is right, a win-win situation is not the case because that means that they lose.

Power distance is also a difference. In the Netherlands the hierarchy distance is very small, in France that is quite different because they do not want to waste money or time to people who are not able to make decisions. But when doing business, it is important not  to direct during the negotiations/conversations. And don’t be surprised if you encounter many women in high positions because more than 50% of women with children work full-time, while in the Netherlands that is only 15%.

Want to know more about doing business in Metz-Saarbrücken? Take a look at the webinar or contact us.

World Trade Center Leeuwarden supports companies with international ambitions and helps to professionalize export and import by offering knowledge and opening new markets by connecting with potential business partners through its global network.