MICHAEL WIRTZ RE-ELECTED

[BIZ: Aachen, January 18]
Michael Wirtz, who has been president of the Aachen Chamber of Commerce & Industry for eight and a half years, was re-elected to this business parliament at the meeting on January 17, 2006. Mr Wirtz has also been president of his family pharmaceutical business, Grünenthal GmbH, which employs close to 5,000 and has such production facilities in Europe, Latin America, and China. He recently stepped down as president but still plays an advisory role in the company. The new period of office is for four years.

In his speech he referred to opposition to the increase in business taxes, which seems to have already received a response [See the ‘Business Tax’ article, ED.]. He pointed out to the success of Aachen with start-ups and his concern with developing cooperation with the other chambers in Meuse-Rhine (The chamber is supported by the European Commission in this desire for cross-border cooperation.) He also pointed to the importance of training places with business.

Dieter Junghans was elected as new Vice President. Petra Neudenberger of Schleiden, Dr. Stephan A. Kufferath-Kassner of Düren, Burkhard von Mangoldt of Aachen, Heinz August Schüssler of Jülich, and Bert Wirtz of Heinsberg were confirmed in their vice-presidential positions.
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