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A bond of partnership
More than 240,000 citizens from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) live and work in Bavaria. However, it is not only people, but also an increasing number of companies with head offices in the CEE countries that are finding their way to Bavaria with a view to opening up branch offices here. The consumers, our pro-business policy and the international communities established here all make Bavaria a favorite place for companies from Central and Eastern Europe wishing to expand their operations.
The ties linking Bavaria with Eastern Europe have traditionally been very close. This is demonstrated by the steady rise in the number of tourists from the CEE states. In 2003, there were as many as 723,000 overnight stays by guests from Eastern Europe. Bavaria therefore receives 26% of all the East Europeans visiting Germany. These figures are expected to increase to 1 million overnight stays by the year 2006.
In addition to business relations and tourism, sister city agreements, university partnerships and school exchange programs are also contributing to a further intensification of relations between Bavaria and CEE.
Numerous cultural, art and folklore activities organized by national clubs and associations help to enhance reciprocal understanding and create a broad basis of communication that is used not only for business cooperations, but also for developing intercultural competence.
A list of contacts is provided below