German-Malaysian relations

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German-Malaysian relations
Location of Germany and Malaysia
GermanyGermany MalaysiaMalaysia
Germany Malaysia

The cooperation between Malaysia and Germany has developed since 1950. At the beginning there was an economic relationship that over the years expanded to other sectors such as diplomacy, politics, research and culture. Germany has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur and an honorary consulate in Penang. The Malaysian embassy is represented in Berlin, the consulate general in Frankfurt am Main and the honorary consul in Böblingen and Hamburg. Both states are members of the United Nations (UN) and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).

Diplomatic relations

The first meetings between government members from Germany and Malaysia go back to the beginning of the 21st century. In March 2002, a German head of government, Chancellor Gerhard Schröder , was invited to a state visit by the then ruling Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad for the first time . This was followed by the visit of the then Foreign Minister Joschka Fischers to the former Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in Kuala Lumpur and Badawi's visit to Germany in the same year to hold political and economic talks. Germany not only managed to maintain or improve its relationship with the Southeast Asian state, but also to establish a connection to Islam through its Muslim partner Malaysia. In September 2006, Chancellor Angela Merkel and Abdullah Ahmad Badawi held talks for the first time at the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Finland.

Economic relationships

The economic relationship between Germany and Malaysia began in 1950, when the Federal Republic of Germany provided a financial grant of 278.8 million DM for the "public [...] aid" of Malaysia (1950–1985). Both the state and private investors were involved in the Malaysian economic market.

The German company Siemens AG was one of the first companies to be economically active in Malaysia. With the construction of the first factory in Malaysia in 1972, Siemens created 1,500 new jobs. In 1985 the company's first foreign agency was opened in Malaysia. Based on the Siemens corporation, it becomes clear that the relationship between Malaysia and the Federal Republic of Germany has existed for a long time. Out of all ASEAN member states, Malaysia is one of the most important trading partners for Germany.

The Malaysian Ambassador Dato Abdul Hamid bin Haji Jumat and Federal Foreign Minister Gerhard Schröder sign a capital aid agreement at the Foreign Office.

The bilateral relationship is based on the following agreements, which are key prerequisites for successful interaction between the two countries in terms of direct investment. Malaysia joined the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in 1957. In addition, the following agreements were concluded between the Federal Republic of Germany and Malaysia: an agreement on the promotion and protection of capital investments in 1960, an agreement on technical cooperation in 1968, an air transport agreement in 1970 and an agreement to avoid double taxation in 1977 (entered into force in 1979). In 1991 the German-Malaysian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (AHK Malaysia) was founded on the basis of the Malaysian German Business Group from 1988, an amalgamation of German and Malaysian businesspeople, and the German-Malaysian Institute (GMI) in 1992.

year Names
1957 Customs and Trade Agreement (GATT)
1960 Promotion and protection of capital investments
1968 Technical cooperation agreement
1970 Aviation Agreement
1977 Avoidance of double taxation

German companies in Malaysia

In 1968 the first German investments were observed in Malaysia. Until 1971, the activity of the private sector between the two countries was limited to trade. Compared to the situation at the time, Malaysia has become an attractive destination for investors due to technical, political and economic progress. Small and medium-sized companies in particular have already established themselves very successfully in Malaysia. Almost 50% of German companies in Malaysia reach the break-even point after three years. Subsidiaries and branches are particularly frequent (13%) that are in close contact with the parent company based in Germany (78.3%).

The direct investment since 1975, rising steadily. The German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), formerly the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHT), provides small and medium-sized German companies in Malaysia with agents who offer assistance. In addition, the exhibition and trade fair committee of Deutsche Wirtschaft e. V. (AUMA) constantly - in the interests of German companies - trade fairs in Malaysia. The business friendliness of a country is listed using the “Ease of doing Business” ranking of the World Banks, with Malaysia currently (2020) in 12th place and Germany in 22nd place. As a foreign investor, Germany has a 49 percent share in the industrial sector. The remaining 51 percent are shared by Switzerland, Japan, the USA and Singapore.

German companies have a wide range of industries. The most important sectors include: electrical industry 16%, metal industry 4%, automotive industry 4%, medical technology 12%, construction industry 12% and logistics 4%.

import and export

Only since 1968 has one differentiated Singapore from Malaysia in terms of trade relations with Germany. Between 1968 and 1981 Malaysia imported 58.4% more goods from Germany than Germany from Malaysia. “Foreign trade between the Federal Republic of Germany and Malaysia has grown more intensely than foreign trade in the Federal Republic as a whole.” Comparing the years 2012 and 2013, it is noticeable that Germany's exports to Malaysia fell by 2.81% (4.8 million euros) , however, the import from Malaysia increased by 3.9% (5.6 million euros).

Economic projects

The German-Malaysian Institute supports projects with a focus on education and training, but also culturally and socially oriented workshops for students. "The German Embassy, ​​on the other hand, annually supports several projects in the areas of school education, promoting economic independence for women, supporting institutions for children and the disabled, and fighting poverty." Two successful projects under the direction of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany are Mondou Atelier - Stitching and Sewing in Sabah , with the aim of promoting the economic independence of women in rural areas and Mon Fairtrade Spa Products , which supports the production of fair trade products by asylum seekers and refugees, most of whom come from the Mon ethnic minority from Myanmar.

research

Germany stopped development aid to Malaysia in 1999 because Malaysia has experienced technical progress over the past few decades. Nevertheless, the Federal Republic of Germany supports Malaysia with regard to various research projects.

The focus of science here is on Vision 2020 (Wawasan 2020), with which Malaysia aims to achieve the highest standards in the field of high-tech and research. Previous projects were carried out at the meta-level by the European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN states). The SEA-EU project, which is intended to serve as an exchange platform for research, ideas and contacts for national scientists, was created through joint efforts. Compared to the historical and regional cooperation with Malaysia, the cooperation with Germany has great potential. In the future, this will be particularly aimed in the area of ​​"bioeconomy".

Research and its institutions are closely linked to the relationships between the universities in both countries: In the following years, cooperation with Rosenheim , Kuala Lumpur and partner companies is to be established. From the perspective of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), the willingness to integrate Germany as an innovation partner is of great importance. This was underlined on the German Science Day in mid-October 2013. Germany is also keen to promote cooperation: the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) subsidizes events to consolidate the integration of the German-ASEAN Science & Technology Network.

In addition to the colleges and universities, German research institutes participate in the cooperation with Malaysia. For example, the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering (IAO) and the Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (SIRIM) initiated the project in March 2015 to support innovation and technology management in small and medium-sized enterprises.

Further scientific relationships can be seen in the efforts of Forschungsverbund Berlin eV, which endeavors to preserve biodiversity in the state of Sabah. In cooperation with the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research and the Leipzig Zoo, a program was started to prevent the affected animal species from becoming extinct.

Another example of the importance that this relationship has for Germany is shown on the website of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. This is where the German Aerospace Center e. V. (DLR), the VDI technology center and partner organizations keep readers up to date with the latest Malaysian research.

education

Political and economic relations extended to the cultural sector at an early stage. Education and language learning are largely affected. Since 1958, the Goethe-Institut has been working to reduce the language barrier between the countries by offering language courses for Malays. In addition, the Goethe-Institut would like to promote the dialogue between Germany and Malaysia.

With regard to higher education there are more and more contracts between the two countries as partner universities. In 2013 the number was 65 and the number is rising. The number of Malaysian exchange students in Germany has also increased over the years from 49 (1993/94) to 906 (WS 2012/13). Of these, 624 were male and 282 were female. Most (613) studied at technical colleges. The preference is for engineering (715), mathematics and natural sciences (73), and law, economics and social sciences (62). The remaining 16 are spread across other courses.

German-Malaysian Institute

As a counterpart to cooperation in the academic field, the Society for Technical Cooperation (GTZ), together with the German-Malaysian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), founded the German-Malaysian Institute (GMI) as a partner for practical and theoretical diploma training. At the GMI, which resides near Kuala Lumpur, the vocational school students are trained in dual vocational training programs and also introduced to German culture. This is done through games and film evenings in German, lectures and speeches about German history or through weekends spent together. Not only Malaysian students are enrolled at the institute, German bachelor and master students are also offered to spend their semester abroad or internship at the GMI. There they can apply their technical knowledge, give language lessons and get to know the culture.

Foundations

To finance the stay abroad - apart from 50% of Malaysians who receive a state scholarship - Germans and Malaysians approach the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). In 2014, the DAAD supported 142 German lecturers and students. On the Malaysian side, 135 scholarship holders were selected.

literature

  • Klaus-A. Pretzell: The economic position of the Federal Republic of Germany in selected Asia-Pacific countries. Current status, competition and prospects. Ed .: Werner Draguhn. Institute for Asian Studies, Hamburg by Wiehert-Druck, Darmstadt 1987, ISBN 3-88910-041-4 , p. 102, 121 .
  • Harald Eggerstedt, Kerstin Fährmann, Heike Hofmann, Alexander Schonfelder, Brunhilde Vest, Thilo Wusterhausen: Malaysian-German industrial cooperation, Experiences, Prospects, and Effects on Economic Development . German Development Institute (GDI), Berlin June 1989, p. 20-21 .
  • Otto Köhler: Malaysia investment guide . Ed .: Manfred Lohmann, Peter Böhm. German Society for Economic Cooperation (Development Company) DEG-Cologne: Hans Eckert, Federal Office for Foreign Trade Information-bfai-Cologne: Hans Walter Georgen, Cologne August 1982, p. 16, 18 f .
  • Gerhard Deissmann: Malaysia, general economics . Ed .: Selchers, Gatz. Studies by the Bremen Society for Economic Research e. V., Nelson Druckerei, Bremen May 1983, p. 53 .

Web links

Commons : German-Malaysian Relations  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Internet editorial office of the Foreign Office "German Representation" website of the Foreign Office; accessed on January 27, 2016
  2. ↑ Internet editorial office of the Foreign Office Malay Mission. Federal Foreign Office website; accessed on January 27, 2016
  3. ↑ UNRIC Liaison Office for Member States of the UN. United Nations Regional Information Center website for Western Europe; accessed on January 27, 2016
  4. ↑ c / o Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) "Member States of ASEM" website of the Asia-Europe Meeting; accessed on January 27, 2016
  5. ↑ a b Klaus-A. Pretzell: Werner Draguhn (Hrsg.): The economic position of the Federal Republic of Germany in selected Asia-Pacific countries. Current status, competition and prospects . Institute for Asian Studies, Hamburg by Wiehert-Druck, Darmstadt 1987, ISBN 3-88910-041-4 , p. 102.
  6. ^ Our History, Siemens Malaysia. siemens.com, global website, history of the development of Siemens AG in Malaysia; accessed on January 26, 2016
  7. ↑ Otto Köhler, Manfred Lohmann, Peter Böhm (eds.): Malaysia investment guide . German Society for Economic Cooperation (Development Company) DEG-Cologne: Hans Eckert, Federal Office for Foreign Trade Information-bfai-Cologne: Hans Walter Georgen, Cologne, August 1982, p. 18
  8. ↑ Otto Köhler: Manfred Lohmann and Peter Böhm (eds.), "Malaysia Investment Guide". German Society for Economic Cooperation (Development Company) mbH-DEG-Cologne: Hans Eckert, Federal Office for Foreign Trade Information-bfai-Cologne: Hans Walter Georgen, Cologne, August 1982, p. 18f
  9. ↑ Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MGCC) "Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MGCC), AHK Malaysia - Your Contact Partner in Malaysia Role & Vision" Website of the Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MGCC) ; Retrieved January 25, 2016
  10. ↑ The German-Malaysian Institute "The German-Malaysian Institute, The German-Malaysian Connection" website of the German-Malaysian Institute; accessed on January 26, 2016
  11. ↑ Harald Eggerstedt, Kerstin Fährmann, Heike Hofmann, Alexander Schonfelder, Brunhilde Vest, Thilo Wusterhausen: "Malaysian-German industrial cooperation, Experiences, Prospects, and Effects on Economic Development". German Development Institute (GDI), Berlin, June 1989, p. 20
  12. ↑ a b c d e Alexander Stedtfeld, AHK Malaysia Sabine Franze, AHK Malaysia Rainer Jaensch, Germany Trade & Invest in cooperation with: Germany Trade & Invest, Malaysia - small country, large industrial location . ( Memento of the original from January 28, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (PDF) Publication of the Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry; accessed on January 25, 2016. a, b, d = p.8, c, e = p.10  @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.malaysia.ahk.de
  13. ↑ Otto Köhler, Manfred Lohmann, Peter Böhm (eds.): Malaysia investment guide . German Society for Economic Cooperation (Development Company) DEG-Cologne: Hans Eckert, Federal Office for Foreign Trade Information-bfai-Cologne: Hans Walter Georgen, Cologne, August 1982, p. 16
  14. ↑ Klaus-A. Pretzell: Werner Draguhn (Ed.) “The economic position of the Federal Republic of Germany in selected Asia-Pacific countries. Current status, competition and perspectives. ”Institute for Asian Studies, Hamburg by Wiehert-Druck GmbH, Darmstadt, 1987, p. 121, ISBN 3-88910-041-4 .
  15. ^ Peter Neven: Measurement data worldwide . Website of the AUMA_Exhibition and Trade Fair Committee of German Business. V; Retrieved January 25, 2016
  16. ↑ Katja Wilke: Why Malaysia is an insider tip for investors . Welt.de, June 27, 2011; accessed on January 26, 2016
  17. ↑ Harald Eggerstedt, Kerstin Fährmann, Heike Hofmann, Alexander Schonfelder, Brunhilde Vest, Thilo Wusterhausen: Malaysian-German industrial cooperation, Experiences, Prospects, and Effects on Economic Development . German Development Institute (GDI), Berlin, June 1989, p. 21
  18. ↑ BIHK Service GmbH, editor: Karoline Rübsam "Export to and import from Malaysia compared by years (2013–2012)" Statistics of the Bavarian foreign trade portal compared 2013 with 2012; accessed on January 26, 2016
  19. ↑ The German-Malaysian Institute "The German-Malaysian Institute, The German-Malaysian Connection" website of the German-Malaysian Institute; accessed on January 26, 2016
  20. ↑ Carsten Fischer, Hademunde gable: Economic Cooperation and micro-projects . ( Memento of the original from January 28, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Website of the German Embassy in Kuala Lumpur; accessed on January 26, 2016. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.kuala-lumpur.diplo.de
  21. ↑ Carsten Fischer, Hademunde gable: Mondou Studio Project - stitching and sewing in Sabah . ( Memento of the original from January 28, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Website of the German Embassy in Kuala Lumpur; accessed on January 26, 2016 @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.kuala-lumpur.diplo.de
  22. ↑ Carsten Fischer, Hademunde gable: Fairtrade Spa Products . ( Memento of the original from January 27, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Website of the German Embassy in Kuala Lumpur; accessed on January 26, 2016 @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.kuala-lumpur.diplo.de
  23. ↑ a b c d Relations between Malaysia and Germany . Foreign Office Status: September 2015; accessed on January 26, 2016
  24. ↑ Overview. asean.org
  25. ↑ a b c Ursula Egyptien Gad, Judith Lesch (coordination), Pia Klein, Peter Düring, Katharina Kohm (eds.) GATE-Germany Consortium for International University Marketing: Country Profile Malaysia. Frankfurter Societäts-Medien GmbH, Frankfurt November 2013 ( Country profile Malaysia . (PDF); a = page 12, b = page 14, c = page 05)
  26. ↑ Liza Wohlfart: Cooperation project between Fraunhofer IAO and SIRIM is about to reach the final milestones . November 17, 2015; Retrieved January 25, 2016
  27. ↑ Steven Seet, IZW, Public Relations Officer, Press Office of the Forschungsverbund Berlin e. V. Asian mammals are dying out - Germany supports Malaysia to prevent this . November 22, 2010; Retrieved January 25, 2016
  28. ^ Education and Research: Malaysia . German Aerospace Center V. (DLR) and VDI Technologiezentrum GmbH Innovation Policy Department; accessed on January 26, 2016
  29. ^ Klaus Krischok: German language . goethe.de; accessed on January 27, 2016
  30. ^ "The German - Malaysian Connection"
  31. ↑ Malaysia . German Academic Exchange Service e. V. (DAAD); accessed on January 26, 2016
  32. ↑ Country information Malaysia . German Academic Exchange Service e. V. (DAAD)