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Germany’s investment location Nr. 1
28,5 % of all foreign investments are concentrated in NRW (EUR 167,6 billion). More than 10,000 foreign companies from the most important investor countries control their German or European operations from NRW (3M, BP, Ericsson, Ford, LG Electronics, Sony, QVC,Toyota).
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One of the largest European markets
18 percent of German exports are "Made in NRW". As an independent exporting nation, NRW would occupy 18th place in the world almost level with Spain and Taiwan. More than 23 percent of all German imports go to NRW. 18 of the 50 largest German trading companies are based here (Metro, Rewe, Aldi).
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Gateway to Europe
Every day, around 390 international direct flights depart from 7 airports in NRW. All of Europe's major cities can be reached in a maximum of 3 hours by air. A tight road, rail and waterway network ensures good connections all over the world. Handling 100 million tons of goods per year, Duisburg is the world's largest inland port.
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World-class research and development
Nearly 50 technology centers and 60 non-university research facilities form the densest research network in Europe and provide ideal conditions for technology transfer
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High qualified workforce
NRW has 59 universities and technical colleges with 32,000 scientists and researchers and just under 463,000 students. 6 of the 12 largest universities in Germany are located here. 57,000 foreigners study at institutes of higher education in North Rhine-Westphalia.
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The world’s biggest trade fair location
With Cologne, Düsseldorf, Essen and Dortmund, NRW is the world's number one trade fair location. More than 60 internationally leading trade fairs such as anuga, photokina, MEDICA, drupa, E-world of energy & water or boot attract approx. 6 million visitors every year.
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Competitive tax system
Germany is no longer a high tax nation. The overall tax burden of joint-stock companies is 29.8 per cent and thus, compared to other countries, on an average level.
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First place in security issues
North Rhine-Westphalia - as a traditionally international focused location - is the safest German state.Eleven of the 20 large cities with the lowest crime rate are to be found here.
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Excellent properties and real estate
NRW has many excellent commercial premises near economic centers at internationally competitive prices.
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One of Europe's richest cultural landscapes
Renowned theaters and museums, 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Sports events and cultural festivals in NRW are known internationally. Two of the nine 3-star-restaurants in Germany are to be found in NRW. The Eifel national park is just one of many popular leisure destinations.
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Sources: NRW.INVEST GmbH, LDS NRW, Federal Statistical Office, Deutsche Bundesbank, Statistical Eurostat
The most important reasons for locating
North Rhine-Westphalia is Germany's leading investment location. Over 10,000 foreign companies based in NRW employ over 500,000 people. Foreign investors rate NRW more highly as a business location than four years ago and look to the future with optimism. They continue to value the state's central location in Europe, its proximity to sales markets, and its good transport infrastructure.
These are some of the results of a survey, conducted by NRW.INVEST GmbH, of 1,000 foreign companies in NRW. Companies from 14 countries of origin (China, Denmark, Finland, France, Great Britain, India, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkey, USA) were questioned regarding their satisfaction with the location and their economic performance.
Over 37 % of the foreign companies in NRW name the state's central location as the most important reason for settling there, followed by its proximity to sales markets (33.9%), and its good transport infrastructure (29.6%).
Overall satisfaction with NRW as a business location has improved from a rating of 2.9 to 2.7:
- Appreciable improvements in public financial aid, consulting services for companies, and the reduction of bureaucratic obstacles.
- NRW has deteriorated in terms of transport infrastructure and – though not very much – staff qualifications; the tax burden continues to be seen as a negative aspect.
- The quality of life rating has remained high.
Foreign companies look to the future with optimism:
- A quarter of the foreign companies are planning new investments in NRW during the next 3-5 years.
- Almost 47 % of the foreign companies are planning to create new jobs in the next 2 years.
- Nearly 60 % of the foreign companies are expecting sales to increase over the next 2 years.
