More than 24,000 international companies are based in NRW. They manage their German and European business activities from here. For example, Amazon, 3M, BP, Ericsson, Ford, Huawei, QVC, UPS, Toyota and Vodafone have discovered NRW as an investment location. This is primarily due to the optimal conditions that international companies find here for their growth. International companies have long since established themselves as major employers and provide jobs for around 1.3 million people in NRW.
(Source: Orbis 2024)
NRW: attractive for foreign direct investment
Despite global challenges, NRW continues to have an excellent reputation as an investment location among international companies. In 2023, 283 foreign companies with around 4,600 predicted jobs have settled here or expanded their branches. Among the 29 countries of origin, projects from European countries in particular are an important factor. Greater China, Türkiye, the USA and Japan also continue to be important countries of origin for direct investments.
In particular, investment projects in the field of renewable energies were increasingly implemented – as in 2022. In addition, the number of jobs in R&D increased compared to the previous year. Settlements from sectors such as mobility, hydrogen or medical technology underline the potential of NRW as an innovation location to advance new technologies (source: own surveys 2024).
Overall, however, Europe and Germany are experiencing a tense investment climate with a decline in FDI projects and the potential jobs created. Despite geopolitical challenges, NRW continues to have attractive location advantages, as confirmed by recent studies, for example by the auditing firm KPMG or the specialist magazine fDi Intelligence.
Sites for settlements and investments
In NRW, potential investors can find sites in central locations – and at good prices. They benefit from a well-developed infrastructure and the opportunity to expand.
The free commercial site portal GERMAN.SITE
finds the right site for foreign investment projects in NRW – whether it is further details on the infrastructure, the geographical location or the local concentration of the industry concerned, potential investors are well informed via the portal.
Multicultural NRW with international business communities
NRW is a cosmopolitan location
Situated in the heart of Europe, NRW is a central and cosmopolitan location: International companies and their employees value not only these geographical key data, but also the quality of life, tolerance and open-mindedness to be found here.
Culture of welcome makes people feel at home
This welcoming culture ensures that both large and smaller communities from different countries quickly feel at home here, not only in terms of business but also culturally. The strong networking of communities within NRW plays an important role in the success of investment projects as it allows access to a broad state network and first-hand information.
Japan location Düsseldorf
In Düsseldorf, for example, Europe's third-largest Japanese community has been growing for over 150 years – today, around 15,000 Japanese live in NRW. With Japanese banks, lawyers, kindergartens and schools, supermarkets and cultural centers, the state offers a diverse Japanese infrastructure that is constantly evolving. Key partners include the Japanese Consulate General, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Düsseldorf (JIHK), JETRO and the Japanese Club.
Strong ties between USA and NRW
The United States and NRW also have a long shared history – today, some 14,500 U.S. citizens live in the Rhine-Ruhr region. The U.S. Consulate General is based in Düsseldorf, as are the U.S. Commercial Service and the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The American Chamber of Commerce in Germany offers one of the best business networks in Germany in NRW.
More than 30,000 Chinese in NRW
Around 36,500 Chinese also live in NRW. The Chinese service sector is broadly based with insurance companies, real estate agents, lawyers, schools, supermarkets, restaurants and cultural centers. With the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) and the Bank of China, there are two large financial institutions with branches in Düsseldorf.
International and foreign schools as a location factor
Employees of international companies and their families not only find the best conditions for a second home in NRW, but their children also have the opportunity to pursue an internationally oriented education here. In total, there are around 5,400 school facilities, including seven international and eleven foreign schools – an important location bonus for foreign company employees.
International schools are privately run educational institutions. Here, students can obtain internationally recognized degrees that give them access to the numerous universities and courses of study. Foreign schools, on the other hand, offer a qualification in accordance with the school laws applicable in the respective country of origin and prepare students, for example, for access to higher education in that country.
Photo credits
The photographic material was kindly provided by
© Düsseldorf Tourismus GmbH
© Petinov Sergey Mihilovich, Shutterstock
© 75tiks, Shutterstock
© DavideAngelini, Shutterstock
© Matej Kastelic, Shutterstock
© Monkey Business Images, Shutterstock
© Skynesher, iStock
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