With the State of California partnering with the German government for the 2009 CeBIT - Center of Office and Information Technology - trade show, the California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger inaugurated the Hannover show on Monday, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

It is for the first time a non-sovereign state has had that privilege of being a partner in the largest technology trade show in the world. According to reports from Schwarzenegger's office, over 50 California companies have marked their presence at the event.

Emphasizing that investment in environmental technology is vital for economic recovery, the actor-turned-governor - wearing an emerald-green tie - went around the technology trade fair alongside Merkel.

Addressing the audience in English, the Austria-born Schwarzenegger said: "Technology is really our great hope for creating extra revenues and stimulating the economy - especially green technology is where the action is." Making a specific reference, the governor said that environmental-technology firms constitute the only job-creating sector of California's economy.

In an attempt to encourage attendees to make requisite efforts amid the ongoing recession, Schwarzenegger urged them not to be "losers" and to "pump up the economy," thereby moving ahead in a strong and powerful way.

Schwarzenegger extolled Germany's dedication to renewable energy and lowering of greenhouse gas emissions. Calling Merkel "the most powerful woman in the world," Schwarzenegger lambasted her choicest target - economic protectionism!