North Rhine-Westphalia promotes investment growth in Germany

June 4, 2019

North Rhine-Westphalia is Germany’s most important economic region and a popular location for foreign companies seeking a base in Europe. Located at the heart of Europe, the state offers ideal conditions for investors. With 17.9 million inhabitants, NRW is the most populous state and generates more than 20 percent of Germany’s GDP. Around 160 million people live within 500 km of Düsseldorf, giving NRW high purchasing power in a small area.

Home to Large Corporations and Market Leaders

NRW is home to both international industrial corporations and many smaller companies that are leaders in their industries. One in four German market leaders comes from NRW. 20 of the 50 highest-grossing German companies, including Bayer, Bertelsmann, Deutsche Post, Deutsche Telekom, E.ON, Henkel, and Thyssenkrupp, have their headquarters here.

Attracting Investors

NRW attracts numerous foreign investors and recorded the largest share of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Germany in 2016. Today, around 20,000 foreign companies are based in NRW, including 1,500 from the United Kingdom. For example, the British cosmetics manufacturer Lush opened its largest production facility on the European mainland in Düsseldorf in 2016.

Support for Start-ups and Innovations

NRW offers excellent infrastructure with connections to the Rhine, Europe’s largest inland port in Duisburg, six airports, and the densest highway and rail network in Germany. Over 110 technology centers and non-university research institutions promote technology transfer. With 772,000 students at 70 universities, NRW has a large pool of skilled workers, especially in the digital sector.

Digital Breakthroughs

NRW leads in the number of digital start-ups and drives digitalization across the entire value chain, providing optimal market and partnership opportunities for digital companies.

Support from NRW.INVEST

NRW.INVEST supports international companies in establishing and expanding their operations in NRW. The state-owned economic development agency provides comprehensive information on real estate, staffing, as well as tax and legal requirements. In addition to its headquarters in Düsseldorf and offices in Japan and the USA, NRW.INVEST has branches in China, India, Israel, South Korea, Poland, Russia, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.