US companies already occupy the top spot among foreign investors in Thuringia with 66 investments. They may soon be joined by more - at least that was the aim of a joint effort by the LEG and the German-American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest when they ran dinner seminars in the university city of Ann Arbor (Michigan) and Akron (Ohio), the center of North America’s “polymer valley”. More than 40 company representatives and the German Honorary Consul in Michigan, Fred Hoffmann, responded to the invitation to find out more about opportunities for investing in Thuringia. The function in Ann Arbor put the life sciences sector in Thuringia under the spotlight, while in Akron, the focus was on the state’s reputation as an innovative plastics center.
With Turkey’s economy growing rapidly, Turkish companies are showing interest in setting up a base in Germany so that they can get off to a flying start in central Europe, using centrally located German branches as a springboard from which to enter eastern European markets. The LEG mounted a roadshow in Istanbul and Izmir at the end of November to promote Thuringia as a good place to invest in. Vahe Hanamirian, the market development director at yarn maker Kordsa Global, spoke about his company’s positive experience in Thuringia and supported by representatives from LEG, provided valuable tips on moving to the region. (gro)
