The state of Bavaria, in southern Germany, is one of Europe's strongest regions economically. With forward-looking cities such as Munich and Nuremburg, it has developed into what Bill Gates has termed "High-Tech Mecca".

As a region, it concentrates on high-tech sectors like electrical engineering, aeronautical technology, medical engineering, biotechnology, information communications technology and environmental research. There is also emphasis on a strong service sector.

"Global players" like EADS, BMW, Audi and Siemens, and international players like BT and O2, are based in the region as well as numerous new economy companies. Bavaria invests 2.8 % of its gross national product in research and technology, which is above the average of Germany and places Bavaria in the leading group of European regions.

There are eleven universities, fifteen polytechnics and a number of large-scale research institutions including the German Aeronautics and Aerospace Center (DLR) and the GSF - National Research Center for Environment and Health.

Regional Committee       << Chairman only ...
	Christian Schulz Chairman	Ernst & Young GmbH 80636 München Tel.: +49 (0)89 143 311 78 27 christian.schulz@de.ey.com
	Dr. Peter Fiedler Co-Chairman and Treasurer	International Performance Advisory 82031 Grünwald Tel.: +49 (0)89 64 18 64 36 Mob.: +49 (0)171 389 13 14 p.fiedlerconsult@web.de
	Hansjörg Bürk	Commerzbank AG 80804 München Tel.: +49 (0)89 35 64 25 00 hansjoerg.buerk@commerzbank.com
	Vaughan Price FCA	80636 München Tel.: +49 (0)89 57 90 54 18 Mob.: +49 (0)171 555 76 50 vaughan.price@pwc.com
	Eike Fietz	Pinsent Masons Germany LLP 80333 München Tel.: +49 (0)89 203 04 35 30 eike.fietz@pinsentmasons.com
Paul Heardman		British Consulate-General 81675 München Tel.: +49 (0)89 21 10 91 11 paul.heardman@fco.gov.uk