HamburgAmbassadors meet in Hamburg

8 May 2023

Shortage of skilled labour tops international agenda - Hamburg signs Memorandum of Understanding signed with Busan, South Korea

Thirty-one HamburgAmbassadors in over 25 countries met in the city from May 2-5, 2023 to focus on possible solutions to the shortage of skilled labour. The voluntary ambassadors network with the political sphere, commerce, science and cultural institutions in their respective country on behalf of Hamburg. Experts highlighted all the latest developments in the Hanseatic city during visits to local sites of interest.

Raising Hamburg's presence on global stage

Speaking during a reception in City Hall, also attended by Dr Melanie Leonhard, Senator for Economics and Melanie Schlotzhauer, Senator for Social Affairs, Dr Peter Tschentscher, Mayor of Hamburg, said: "As the 'gateway to the world,' Hamburg has had good relations with many countries on all continents for centuries." Hamburg hosts around 100 consulates making the city one of the world's largest consular centres. "The HamburgAmbassadors establish contacts, support collaborations and are expert local contacts. They boost Hamburg's international presence and the common good of our city," he added. This year's agenda focused mainly on recruiting skilled workers from foreign countries and the Hamburg Welcome Center for foreign professionals.

New perspectives on labour shortage

Members of the network had travelled from New Zealand, Argentina and South Korea for the annual meeting. Representatives of Busan in South Korea and Hamburg signed a Memorandum of Understanding in City Hall on Thursday (May 4). The Port of Busan is the partner of the 834th Port of Hamburg anniversary celebrations underway from May 5-7, 2023. The Republic of Korea counts among the world's ten largest economies and is one of Hamburg's key trading partners. Dr Rolf Strittmatter, CEO of Hamburg Marketing GmbH, which is responsible for the HamburgAmbassador scheme, said: "The HamburgAmbassadors give us an opportunity to gain new and different perspectives from abroad and to make Hamburg more competitive at attracting skilled workers and managers."

nj/sb

Sources and further information

HamburgAmbassadors

The honorary HamburgAmbassadors are appointed by the Mayor of Hamburg. The scheme was set up in 2005 by the Senate Chancellery, the Chamber of Commerce and Hamburg Marketing as co-ordinator. The HamburgAmbassadors go to great efforts abroad to raise Hamburg's visibility on the global stage.