West German executives are pressing to build factories, form joint ventures and market products.

Even more important, German executives reported a marked improvement in the current economic climate.

That's why German executives routinely shuttle between distant appointments by car.

But many East German executives say they will need subsidies for at least a year.

So, if not over a meal, where would German executives rather do business?

German corporate executives are more confident than at any time in the last five years, according to recent surveys.

As to work styles, they are a factor cited by both German and American executives.

Three of the German executives were in attendance here for several days.

German executives have been worried about the suits, but even more by the prospect of a conflict with American customers and business partners.

German executives were dumbfounded that most of their American colleagues did not even have passports.