Bavaria's Minister for Economic Affairs Ilse Aigner on Alibaba's Decision to Open an Office in Munich

MUNICH  Bavaria's Minister for Economic Affairs Ilse Aigner considers the decision by the Chinese Alibaba Group as evidence of Bavaria's quality as a location. Aigner: “Choosing Munich as one of the first two country offices, as part of its strategic expansion to Europe, documents that global players like Alibaba value the outstanding position Bavaria enjoys internationally.” Bavaria's position as a business location is second to none in Germany and is among the leaders in Europe. According to Minister Aigner, the decision for Munich was decisively influenced by the presence of a tremendous number of first-class and innovative companies in Bavaria. Aigner is convinced that a wide variety of opportunities for cooperation with Alibaba will result for small and medium-sized companies in particular. Aigner: “This provides new and interesting starting points for improved access to the Chinese market for our companies.” Chinese consumers appreciate Bavarian quality and our technological expertise, says Minister Aigner. Contacts between the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Alibaba have already been established and the Ministry will actively support the company in settling in Bavaria. The Chinese Alibaba Group, founded in 1999, announced its decision today that it will open the first two offices in Munich and Paris under its strategic expansion to Europe.