TOKYO, November 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Japanese companies can achieve enormous economic benefits through energy efficiency. In Germany, some estimates place potential market gains at EUR 2.1 trillion by 2020, in addition to cost savings and new jobs in this blossoming industry. Germany Trade Invest will be presenting the potential business opportunities available through energy efficiency at this year's Japan-Germany Industry Forum on November 18.

This year marks the 5th Japan-Germany Industry Forum, an event to showcase the best business opportunities in Germany to Japanese decision makers. Under the moniker Energy Efficiency: The New Booming Market - Business Opportunities in Germany, this year's conference focuses on chances for increased engagement by Japanese companies in this promising new industry.

Germany Trade Invest will have representatives on hand to highlight investment opportunities in Europe's largest market, demonstrate how Japanese companies can benefit from doing business in Germany, and show how Germany Trade Invest can facilitate the entrance into this multi-billion Euro industry. The keynote speech for the event will be held by Ernst Ulrich von Weizsacker, currently Dean of the Bren School of Environmental Science Management at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Panels will include representatives from Toshiba, Fujitsu, Honda, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Deloitte Touche, BITKOM, RWE, along with speakers from other companies and research institutes.

According to a McKinsey study of Germany, not only market gains, but also energy cost reductions of EUR 53 billion annually can be achieved alone by new energy efficiency techniques. This corresponds with the possibility to create over 850,000 new jobs in the energy efficiency industry. Japanese companies in Germany can profit from this segment, while the lessons learned in Germany can provide technology transfer opportunities to boost Japan's economic growth.

Germany's investments in energy efficiency have created a EUR 50 billion industry. Heat that is created through production processes, for example, can utilise energy that is currently wasted. Modern production techniques and segments such as smart metering, insulation systems, heating and cooling, home appliances, cogeneration systems and compressed air systems have resulted in further savings potential. High-tech industries, such as electronics or the automotive industry have much to gain from this field. Double-digit growth rates in the energy efficiency sector are expected in the coming years.

Germany Trade Invest is the foreign trade and inward investment promotion agency of the Federal Republic of Germany. The organization advises foreign companies looking to expand their business activities in the German market. It provides information on foreign trade to German companies that seek to enter foreign markets.

Eva Henkel Email: eva.henkel@gtai.com Phone: +49-(0)-30-200099-173 Fax: +49-(0)-30-200099-111

SOURCE: Germany Trade and Invest

CONTACT: Eva Henkel, Email: eva.henkel@gtai.com, Phone:+49-(0)-30-200099-173, Fax: +49-(0)-30-200099-111