As of today everything at CeBIT in Hannover will revolve around the digitalised world. Chancellor Angela Merkel opened the fair with Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. During their traditional tour of the fair, they were able to gain an impression of the huge spectrum of digital products and services on show.

At the opening of CeBIT Chancellor Merkel praised the excellent relations between Germany and this year’s partner country, Japan. Their already close cooperation is to be stepped up further in the years ahead with a special focus on small and medium businesses. At the fair, said Angela Merkel, Germany and Japan can discuss ways of putting in place conditions that will make it easier for these businesses to grow.

With "d!conomy – no limits" as its motto, CeBIT 2017 is showcasing technological trends in digital change. Visitors can experience robots, artificial intelligence and drones first hand. CeBIT has been held every spring since 1986 at Hannover’s fairground. This year it will take place from 20 to 24 March. Some 3,000 exhibitors from 70 countries will be presenting their products to an expected 200,000 visitors, making CeBIT the world’s largest showcase for information and communication technology.

We want free, open markets, says Angela Merkel

At CeBIT Chancellor Angela Merkel and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe advocated swiftly concluding a trade agreement between the EU and Japan. It is important that not only things, but societies be interconnected and that they cooperate with one another. "At a time when we are being forced to argue about free trade, open borders and democratic values with many, it is a good sign that Japan and Germany are shaping the future to the benefit of the people," said the Chancellor.

Keeping pace with others

Things are moving swiftly around the world, while the European Union is often slow to make decisions, warned Angela Merkel. Member states must learn to reach an agreement more rapidly, she said.

"We are currently experiencing a phase in which digitalisation is genuinely impacting on every aspect of society," said the Chancellor, and stressed, "Japan is our friend, but obviously also a competitor who embraces the options opened by digitalisation." In Germany it is important to forge ahead with the Digital Agenda – a good infrastructure must soon be in place nationwide.

Focus on people

On the way to a digital era, it is important not to leave people behind, stressed Angela Merkel. Many are uncertain, and do not know what awaits them and what digitalisation means for them. New forms of education and life-long learning will thus become increasingly important in future. Politicians and industry are both called on to act here over the years to come – to focus on people and to demonstrate to them the advantages offered by digital change.

The German government is also exhibiting at this year’s CeBIT:
- the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy in Hall 6, at Stand C40
- the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure in Hall 7, at Stand C30
- the Federal Ministry of the Interior in Hall 7, at Stands A58 and B42
- the Federal Ministry of Education and Research in Halle 6, at Stand A34

The partner country – Japan

Japan, this year’s official partner country, is presenting itself at CeBIT as a powerful high tech nation and global leader in the field of digitalisation. The Japanese pavilion is the largest in the history of the trade fair, covering an area of around 7,200 square metres. More than 118 Japanese business and institutions are exhibiting at CeBIT 2017 – about ten times as many as last year. "That clearly demonstrates the importance that Japan attaches to this fair, but equally reflects the fact that Japan has a lot to show here at this fair," said Angela Merkel. In 1986 Japan was the partner country of the very first CeBIT.