Federal Chancellor opens IFA 2024

IFA 2024 was officially opened on Thursday evening in the presence of Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU). In his opening speech, the Chancellor emphasized that enthusiasm for technology is also a location factor, "because then we will remain the leading industrial country that we are".

Today, everyone understands at least the basics of how a car works or how to operate a smartphone, said Scholz. "So we must also have the ambition to use artificial intelligence for ourselves. We must want to know what semiconductors are and why they are so important for our industry."

"We'll keep at it"

"Almost nothing works without chips these days," emphasized Scholz. The German government will continue to work hard to attract the major manufacturers to Germany. "We will keep up with the rapid pace of digital progress and not be dependent on others."

At the same time, the Federal Chancellor warned against blind optimism about technology. "Enthusiasm for technology requires trust in technology," warned Scholz. "We create security so that trust can develop." As an example, the SPD politician cited the fact that components from Chinese manufacturers such as Huawei and ZTE will be completely banned from the 5G mobile network by 2029. "This is the right way forward," said Scholz.

IFA is celebrating its centenary this year. "Today we look back with pride on the IFA's centenary," said the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Kai Wegner (CDU). "I know how important IFA is for Berlin. We are doing everything we can to continue the successful cooperation." The trade fair recently committed itself to the capital for another ten years.

"Cultural event"

The IFA organizers are expecting more than the 182,000 visitors of the previous year. With over 1800 exhibitors, the trade fair is fully booked. "The halls are full," said IFA CEO Leif Lindner at the opening of the fair. "We want to continue to build IFA into a cultural event that is firmly anchored in the Berlin calendar and appeals to a broad public."

Scholz is expected back at IFA on Friday for the official opening tour. According to the organizers, this is the first time since the visit of then Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) in 2006 that a German Chancellor has returned to the trade fair to give a speech.

IFA is presenting technical innovations at the Berlin Exhibition Center up to and including Tuesday. The trade fair is also open to the public from 10 a.m. on Friday. Day tickets for private visitors (aged 16 and over) cost 17 euros (students 10 euros), children do not pay admission.

(vbr)