Düsseldorf/Chengdu, 24 April 2015 – As part of his trip to China, Economics Minister Garrelt Duin officially opened the new NRW.INVEST China/Project Office Chengdu in the presence of Minister-President Hannelore Kraft and the Deputy Director of the Chinese People's Congress, Peng Yu. North Rhine-Westphalia already has representative offices in Beijing, Nanjing and Shanghai as well as a further project office in Guangzhou. The People's Republic of China is currently one of the world's most important investors. Chinese companies are becoming increasingly involved in Europe. North Rhine-Westphalia leads the German federal states in terms of direct investment by Chinese companies.
"Within a few years our partner province Sichuan has developed into one of the most important locations for high tech, chemicals and logistics in China. I am delighted that North Rhine-Westphalia is now also represented here with an office," said Economics Minister Garrelt Duin. "For Chinese companies North Rhine-Westphalia is now the most sought-after location in Germany and acts a bridge to Europe. We hope to welcome more companies, in particular from Sichuan Province, in North Rhine-Westphalia in the future."
North Rhine-Westphalia is a preferred investment location for Chinese companies in Europe. More than 850 Chinese firms have already settled here, including such well-known corporations as Donghua, Genertec, Hisense, Huawei, Lenovo, Lingyun, Minmetals, Sany, Shang Gong, WISCO, Wolong, XCMG and ZTE. "Our consistent commitment in China has resulted in Chinese entrepreneurs accounting for the largest investor group for several years now. Last year alone, 79 companies settled here for the first time," said Petra Wassner, CEO of NRW.INVEST.
"With our new project office we want to intensify the direct contact with associations, institutions, chambers and politics in Chengdu in order to inform them about the strengths of the business location," says Dr. Herbert Jakoby, CEO of NRW.INVEST.
The head of the project office is Donna Liu, a native of Chengdu. The foreign trade graduate worked for several years in Chinese companies and therefore has ideal credentials to support companies from the Sichuan region on their way to the German and European markets.
The project office in Chengdu will provide potential investors from all industries with an individual service – from information on markets, locations or investment conditions to practical assistance with specific settlement projects. All measures will be accompanied by the Düsseldorf head office of NRW.INVEST.