Countercurrent 1982

Chapter 1486 Investment Threshold
The development of German science and technology has a long history, and it is famous for its scientific achievements. However, in the 30s, Germany's science gradually lost its advantages. The militaristic aggressive policy destroyed the foundation of scientific development. Ethnic persecution has severely damaged the ranks of scientists.

In the Second World War, 2% of Germany’s institutions of higher learning and scientific research facilities were destroyed, and the library and collection materials were almost lost. In order to get rid of the Communist rule, many scientists fled abroad, most of them immigrated to the United States or Germany. Britain, and this transfer of talents made the science of Britain and the United States far ahead of Germany. In the ten years after the war, due to the loss of sovereignty, the development and recovery of German science and technology were greatly hindered. Many outstanding scholars were dismissed. The United States and the Soviet Union were divided, and it was not until 60, when the Federal Republic of Germany became a sovereign state, that a unified scientific and technological development policy was re-established.

Since the 60s, a country like West Germany, which lacks raw materials and relies on product exports, can only rely on its science and technology in order to maintain the momentum and stamina of economic development. Only science can cultivate knowledge and skills for technological progress and social development. It is this recognition of science that determines the nature of national science policy.

Throughout the Cold War, the federal government set up a Ministry of Science and Education, and he was responsible for formulating government science policies and managing research funding. It was under the leadership of such a department that Germany not only restored and expanded its original universities, Moreover, a number of new universities were built, which expanded the German education system unprecedentedly, and greatly promoted the construction of scientific infrastructure, providing good working conditions and social environment for scientific research.

In the late 60s, the federal government and the state governments signed an agreement on the promotion of academic research. According to this agreement, some universities, research promotion agencies, and institutions that provide contract research have also formulated their own research policies and programs. , They can use the country's scientific research funding, and can control it completely independently, without government intervention, and the subject is not subject to state control.

At the same time, the introduction of advanced technology has also become the main driving force for the economic development of the Federal Republic of Germany. Due to the growing concern that the technology of American multinational companies will dominate in West Germany, the Federal Government has stimulated the country by competing for a large number of scientific research funds. During the 60s and 70s, the scientific research funds allocated by the German government accounted for 2% of the gross national product, which was much higher than other countries' investment in scientific research, and the federal government also adopted various measures to encourage Supporting the development of key technologies and encouraging independent research and development, this series of policies enabled Germany's science and technology to enter the fast track of rapid development during the Cold War, and enabled West Germany's technology to achieve world-renowned achievements.

After entering the 80s, the West German government carried out a series of scientific and technological reforms and adjusted the focus of scientific research to keep up with the development of science and technology in the world.

And this is one of the most critical areas of research and development including: information technology, microelectronics technology, communication technology, industrial robotics, automation, bioengineering, material research, environmental and climate research, non-nuclear energy research and aerospace technology, etc.

In addition, Germany has also attached great importance to technology transfer in recent years. In order to promote the technology transfer and application of scientific and technological achievements, the federal government has taken some measures, including encouraging research institutions, universities and enterprises to conduct joint research with investment from two or more parties and send scientific researchers to participate. , establish industrial park technology park, etc.

Therefore, today's Germany is very mature in the development of the "industry-university-research" model, and looking around the world, except for the United States and the United Kingdom, it is rare to find a country that is so mature than the German industry-university-research model.

Another point that Duan Yun is very interested in is that German optical instruments are very advanced. The lenses used in ASML’s lithography machines were produced by Zeiss in Germany. This company was originally a microscope company and was later acquired by Philips. , became the optical lens supplier of ASML lithography machine.

In addition, Germany is also very leading in the world in the field of microelectronics technology. Although it is not as good as the United States and Japan, it still has very strong strength.

"As far as I know, if you want to open a research and development center in Germany, the German government has strict requirements..." Hu Zhengming said.

"what do you need?"

"It is mainly the investment scale and the number of employees. The investment amount cannot be less than 200 million US dollars a year, and the number of local employees cannot be less than 30. This is the minimum requirement." Hu Zhengming paused, and then said: " More than ten years ago, many multinational giants in the United States also set up R&D centers in Germany. The Federal Government of Germany issued a series of relevant regulations. Any company that established a R&D institution in Germany must pass the audit, and American companies generally will not be subject to restrictions, but not necessarily in other countries..."

"Then you mean that we spend money to set up a research and development center in Germany, but people may not approve it?" Duan Yun asked with some surprise.

"This is indeed the case. Third world countries rarely get approval for investment in Germany, and China is also one of the targets of strict approval..." Hu Zhengming pondered for a while, and then said: "However, if the company is strong enough, and it is indeed If it can solve a large number of local employment problems, it can also be approved."

"Then we can hire more technicians, and I can strengthen investment in Germany." Duan Yun said.

"My suggestion is that you'd better not hire too many German technicians, because Germany is different from China and the United States, they are very similar to Japan, because almost all German companies adopt a lifetime employment system, even if they are passive. , you can’t expel them easily, otherwise you will face huge fines, which will become a burden for our company.” Hu Zhengming paused, and then said: “So my idea is that we can cooperate with local universities in Germany and directly submit The university injects capital and sets up a special laboratory in the university, so that talents in related fields can be quickly obtained, and labor disputes can be avoided. When the time is right, we will set up a related research and development center and bring the outstanding talents we have discovered into our command. This is the perfect solution."

"You're right!" Duan Yun nodded upon hearing this.

As the so-called do as the Romans do, the foreign environment is very different from the domestic environment. If you invest rashly without understanding the situation, you may step into some traps. Therefore, Hu Zhengming's conservative approach has been recognized by Duan Yun.

(End of this chapter)