CeBIT 2016
Chancellor Angela Merkel has called for a swifter digitalisation of the economy. "Time is of the essence," she said during her traditional tour of CeBIT in Hannover. She was, nevertheless, impressed by the way Industry 4.0, the digitalisation of traditional industry, is being embraced in all sectors of the economy and in the lives of individuals.
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The Chancellor picked up a pen and tested a new colouring app
Photo: Bundesregierung/Güngör
The Chancellor had one main message when she visited CeBIT, the world’s largest showcase for the ICT sector, in Hannover. "I can only hope that German businesses, of whatever size, rapidly make use of the opportunities offered by the internet, also in customer relations, to ensure that they remain state of the art and do not fall behind." In this way Germany can underpin value creation for the coming years and decades, she explained.
Her tour of the exhibition clearly demonstrated how Industry 4.0, the digitalisation of traditional industry, is progressing in all sectors of the economy and in the lives of individuals, said Angela Merkel. She also noted that, "There is an enormous potential for efficiency gains."
Switzerland is CeBIT’s partner country
The Chancellor was particularly impressed by her visit to the stands of this year’s partner country, Switzerland. The Alpine state is represented at this year’s CeBIT by more than 70 established companies and start-ups, universities and colleges.
She found it particularly interesting that such an important part is played by the country’s universities, especially the ETH Zürich, a leading university for technology and natural sciences. This is also true with respect to spin-off companies and the chance of moving straight from research into start-ups. "I think this is an area in which we could do more in Germany too," said Angela Merkel.
Hannover, 15.03.16: Switzerland is CeBIT's partner country this year. Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed Johann Schneider-Ammann, President of the Swiss Confederation.
At the ETH Zürich stand the Chancellor tested a new colouring app.
Switzerland is not only a market leader in the field of digital technology - it also produces more than 450 different cheeses.
After the snack, they continued their tour. Here Martina Koederitz accompanies them on their way to the IBM stand.
The Berlin-based company BigRep presented a 3D printer which can print entire chairs and tables.
At the Telekom stand, the Chancellor found out more about the Open Telekom Cloud and new services for industry.
The Microsoft "Code your Life" campaign is encouraging girls and boys aged between 10 and 14 to learn programming skills through play, so that they can become actively involved in shaping media and technology.
Under the banner "d!conomy: join – create – succeed" CeBIT is showcasing the digitalisation of the economy and society. Chancellor Angela Merkel tested AirScouter glasses, which can be used in maintenance and inspection activities over long distances.
"D!conomy: join - create - succeed"
The motto of this year’s CeBIT "D!conomy: join - create - succeed" is intended to reflect the radical digitalisation of the entire economy. In the wake of the wave of digitalisation in major corporations, small and medium sized companies are now also to break new ground in order to remain competitive.
"Obviously the individual must still be the absolute focus," declared Swiss President Johann Schneider-Ammann, the highest representative of the partner country. Technology is only a means to an end. "It is all about 'human beings', whose safety we aim to enhance."
CeBIT is the world’s largest showcase for information and communication technology. It has been held in spring every year since 1986 at Hannover’s fair and exhibition grounds. Last year some 221,000 visitors came to obtain first hand information at a total of 3,300 stands.