Germany's economic powerhouse courting more Chinese opportunities

North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany's most important economic region that has for years been one of the most popular investment locations for foreign companies, is seeking to collaborate with more Chinese enterprises at the ongoing 2019 China International Fair for Trade in Services.

Feng Xingliang, China chief representative at NRW's State-owned economic development agency NRW.INVEST, said that the region has set up a booth at the CIFTIS to showcase its diverse advantages and opportunities for development.

NRW and China are set to work closely on six areas: intelligent manufacturing, smart cities, new energy vehicles, self-driving, artificial intelligence and smart logistics, Feng said.

Situated in the heart of Europe, NRW is a dynamic business location and is the most populous out of the 16 German federal states.

Some 20,000 foreign companies have invested in the region, including global players 3M, Ericsson, Ford, Toyota, UPS and China's Huawei.

"These companies make NRW the No 1 investment location in Germany, as more investment flows to NRW from abroad than to any other German federal state," Feng said.

"NRW accounts for 26.1 percent of all foreign direct investments in Germany. China is the second-largest trading partner of NRW after the Netherlands."

With the Belt and Road Initiative on course to enhance the connectivity and cooperation, NRW has begun to establish itself on the route.

"NRW stands for mobility in all dimensions. In almost no other region of Europe will companies find better conditions for transport and logistics," Feng added.

The city of Duisburg situated within NRW is regarded as China's gateway to Europe. Every week, about 30 freight trains from China arrive at Duisburg's inland port, delivering goods from Wuhan, Chongqing and other major manufacturing centers in China. Cars, wine, whisky, luxury clothing and other European goods make the return journey.

Four out of every five trains from China now make Duisburg their first European stop.

"NRW.INVEST is pleased to provide free consulting for companies interested in investment. Our specialist knowledge and a proven and established network of economic, scientific, administrative and political contacts are available," Feng said.

"If you are already active in NRW, we can provide advice and support, in particular for expansion, startups and spinoffs."

(China Daily 05/29/2019 page7)