FDI

The year 2011 was without a doubt one of the most successful years in the development of Magdeburg as a business location.

Interview with Rainer Nitsche, Vice-mayor and head of department for business development, tourism and regional co-operation of the State Capital Magdeburg

Germany’s economy is still Europe’s most powerful, but away from the headlines and commentary, what is the mood on the frontline of inward investment in places like Magdeburg? Is it optimistic?

Emden in Lower Saxony is the third largest North Sea port and Germany’s western-most seaport. Volkswagen operates a large plant here with a workforce of 10,000 – consequently, cars are the principle cargo with nearly 1m marques being exported from Emden annually. The city is no stranger to commerce and economics.

However, it’s the clean energy industry that’s really piquing investor interest and giving Emden a whole new dimension. From here and up the coast is one of the world’s largest concentrations of wind farms. Needless to say, Germany’s long mechanical and electronic engineering tradition is the backbone underpinning Emden’s current strong position. This region is the unequivocal vanguard of technological development.

During the mid 1990s, Eindhoven found itself at a crossroads. The two main industries behind the city’s prosperity suddenly diverged. The truck giant DAF imploded and leading electronics manufacturer Philips threw itself headlong into the global economy. What started as a small light bulb factory staffed by local workers was now sourcing its workforce far away from its traditional base.

It was a familiar story across the manufacturing centres of Western Europe. Functional obsolescence, end of an economic cycle, macroeconomic fallout – call it what you will – Eindhoven was looking at travelling the same underemployed route to as Detroit. However, the city avoided most the of post-industrialisation challenges to emerge as one of Europe’s major technology and industrials hub.

“The innovative character of our region is supported by the facts. Businesses based in Brainport Eindhoven are awarded four patents per day; this is more than half (55%) of the total number of patents registered throughout the country. Nowhere else in the Netherlands you will see as much private investment in R&D as in this region. The export figures for businesses in the province of Noord-Brabant exceed 57 billion Euros. This is 23% of the total Dutch export figure and way above the figure for the Rotterdam region with its Seaport, and the Amsterdam region with Mainport Schiphol.

After 30 years of stagnation, the German capital’s real estate market has re-ignited. In fact, it’s been singled out as one of Europe’s top cities for property investment. We report on how Berlin got its mojo back.

After re-unification, Berlin was anything but desirable – except to artists and bohemians vibing on cheap rent (or even free rent) and the incongruity of an isolated city. But all that has changed. Berlin is experiencing a rebirth similar to the one London went through in the late 1990s. It’s becoming a place where people want to live, tourists want to visit, and where commerce wants to do business.

Lebanon’s strategic geographical location has been recognised for centuries as a contact point between the east and west and as the gateway to the Middle Eastern market. Home to 1.2 million high-skilled labour force with access to a regional market of 106 million consumers; Lebanon offers plenty of advantages for potential investors planning to set up and to develop new business in the Region.

Economically, investing in Lebanon is a sound decision, financially, it is a fulfilling endeavor and socially it is a rewarding venture.

What does Estoril have to offer MICE organisers and business travellers?
The Estoril is an unique destination that concentrates a high quality offer for business tourism with venues and hotels at walking distance surrounded by the best incentives, cultural, sports, nature and wellbeing, for both Corporate Events and Association Congresses. At a 20 Km distance from the International Airport of Lisbon and at a 10 minute drive to one of the most fascinating spots in Europe, Sintra considered World Heritage because of its Castles and Monasteries the Estoril Coast offers a variety of services from the International leading Green Congress Centre, first obtaining Green Certification in Europe, to the Glamorous Casino of Estoril which takes you back in history to the time where Kings and Queens and wealthy European families enjoyed during the II World War a period of retirement away from the tragic conflict.