1

The International Relations of the

City of Frankfurt am Main

Eduard Hechler Director International Affairs

Tel Aviv, 15.09.2014

Frankfurt – History

• „Born“ in 794

• Located on the intersection of European trade routes

• International Tradition

• 1240: place of international trade fair since 1585: currency exchange / today stock exchange

• International trade and finance place since medieval times

Frankfurt – International

• Civil Society: Citizens from 175 nations,

48 % international roots

• ~ 13.000 foreign companies (15 %)

• 248 banks, 129 foreign banks (52 %)

• European Central Bank (1998) and Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM)

• European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA)

Frankfurt – Global City

• Large international business-communities from Europe, USA, Korea, China and Japan

• Frankfurt Airport:

• 58 Mio passengers p.a.

• Quick connections to national and international destinations

• contributes intensivly to Frankfurt‘s internationality

• Visitors p.a.: 4,5 Mio. , 2 Mio. from aboard

• Within Mayor‘s Office (since 2004)

• 9 employees

• 3 sections:

• Europe, America, MENA-Region, Development Assistance

• Asia, Africa, Australia

• Consulates & Public Relations

International Affairs Office (IAO)

International Affairs Office • Coordinating International and European Affairs

• Promoting and support City Partnerships

• Promoting youth and citizens exchanges with the partner cities

• Liaison to the Consular Corps

• Coordinating "city marketing" (Frankfurt Economic Development Corp., Frankfurt Rhein Main Marketing Corp., Tourism and Congress GmbH, Frankfurt Fair a. o.)

• Process Control international concept

• Networking with internationally oriented associations, institutions

• Coordinating and preparing meetings for the Mayor

• Municipal Development Assistance

• Cooperation within Fair Trade campaign of Frankfurt am Main

• Information about EU funding programs

• Promoting the European spirit

• Organizing delegation visits

• Organizing domestic visit programs for international guests

• Citizens trips to the Partner Cities

• Special Events

• German-American Friendship Day (annual)

• German-Israeli Friendship Day (annual)

• Japan Week (2011)

• China-Week (2012)

• Debate Members of European Parliament Members (2014)

• Open Arms Policy

Examples for activities

International “Stammtisch” (regulars get-together)

“Meet and Mingle in Mainhattan”

• Every first Monday of the month

• venue: The Bar of English Theatre

• Presentation of Frankfurt’s highlights and services in an informal atmosphere

• Joint initiative of: City of Frankfurt am Main/IAO, Chamber of Commerce, English Theatre, the German-British Society, Frankfurt International Schools, Newcomers‘ Network, Regional Authority FrankfurtRheinMain

Open Arms Policy

Open Arms Policy

The Newcomers Festival – Welcome to Frankfurt-Rhein-Main

2014: 4,000 visitors and 45 exhibitors.

exhibition of services, clubs, companies and organizations in Metropolitan Frankfurt.

family-oriented and informative event for the international community

Organizer: Communication Solution Corp.

Sponsors: City of Frankfurt, Regional Authority FrankfurtRheinMain, Hessen Trade &

Invest.

Venue: Frankfurt’s historic City Hall

• Lyon (1960)

• Birmingham (1966)

• Deuil – La Barre (1967)

• Milan (1970)

• Cairo (1979)

• Tel Aviv (1980)

• Guangzhou (1988)

• Toronto (1989)

Frankfurt’s partner cities 16 city partnerships on 4 continents

• Budapest (1990)

• Prague (1990)

• Leipzig (1990)

• Granada (Nicaragua, 1991)

• Krakow (1991)

• Dubai (2005)

• Yokohama (2011)

• Eskişehir (2013)

Thank you for your attention