No other European metropolis has changed its appearance as markedly as Berlin. The centre of the city has been recreated, Potsdamer Platz links the once separated city sectors and Berlin has already adjusted to its new role as an intermediary between the former East and the former West. Now it is the heart of the new Central Europe.
As the seat of the German government, embassies and consulates as well as numerous associations and organisations, it has become the political centre of Germany. As the headquarters of multinational corporations and innovative sectors it is becoming the central location of Germany’s economy.
Reasons for choosing Berlin as a relocation destination include the city’s investment-conducive climate, the attractive financing and development-promotion programmes. National and international companies can put their plans into practice here more quickly and with less red tape than elsewhere. The city has an excellent human resources and technical infrastructure.
Berlin’s workforce is highly qualified and internationally competitive. Smooth operations and fast transport links are the norm here: the city’s transportation infrastructure is one of the most modern in Europe.
The official policy to promote Berlin’s economy is focusing on growth sectors, where the city is already competing at a top-notch worldwide level: These are Life Sciences as well as ICT/Media/Creative Industries, Manufacturing/Mobility/Clean Technologies and Service Industries.
Berlin is the optimum location for investors seeking the challenge of new markets. Pfizer, Deutsche Bahn, DaimlerChrysler, Sony, and Motorola are examples since the fall of the wall which make clear: Berlin is the European service metropolis.
The city has also achieved a top position in a number of new fields of technology with a promising future – such as environmental technology, biotechnology and medical technology. Companies in this field of Life Sciences find Berlin an excellent location.
With its dense research infrastructure, Berlin offers optimum development and production opportunities for the know-how intensive products used in medicine, environmental protection and nutrition: research facilities, hospitals and clinics as well as companies form a competent network covering the entire spectrum from basic research work through applied research to development and production.
According to the European Cities Monitor 2007, published by Cushman & Wakefield, Berlin is the European metropolis with the most available office space. In the next twenty years large areas of Berlin will be the object of urban transformation. Five projects which are named ‘The Big Five’ are planned: In the large area surrounding the airport Berlin-Brandenburg International (BBI) at the south-east entrance to Berlin companies will be establishing their offices and eventually give work to 40.000 people. The airports Tempelhof and Tegel which will terminate their service respectively in 2008 and in 2012 will be used either as residential, recreational or industrial areas. Both airports lie near the city centre and are well-connected to the urban infrastructure.
North of Berlin’s new main train station three of the most promising projects for urban development will be established on a space of app. 100 acres. Here an abundance of investors have tried to compete for the space available. Offices, Hotels and Residential areas will be established here. Humboldthafen will offer space for residential areas and commercial construction. South of the new main train station the Deutsche Bahn is planning their new corporate headquarters. Another project of the big five will be an area that is adjacent to the Spree which is around 180 acres large and where in the 10 years to come companies will invest around 2.6 billion Euro. In 2002 Universal Music established their headquarters here, in 2005 MTV, Viva and Viva Plus followed and now Anschutz Entertainment is building their multifunctional arena here.
All the attractive real estate in downtown and outer locations is available at much more affordable prices than in most European cities. In Berlin metropolitan properties are offered at bargain, “rural prices”.
Berlin supports investors in diverse ways. The first step begins with extensive information about everything which makes up the business location Berlin. Berlin Partner is the first contact in this respect. It is the official business promoting agency of the state of Berlin.
Berlin Partner provides on-site support for investors offering comprehensive settlement services to investors free of charge. Its Business Location Center provides investors with the most important and up-to-date economic information on Berlin and Brandenburg. It also offer special services and products designed to support a settlement or expansion in the capital city, including a real estate portal and the Business Welcome, Business Recruiting, Business Financing and Business Locating Packages.
Berlin Partner also helps Berlin-based companies tap foreign markets, and makes the city a strong brand. Berlin Partner is active both locally and internationally and strongly engaged in local, European and international networks. As the top contact point for companies, Berlin Partner maintains a close strategic partnership with government agencies, banks, chambers of commerce and associations, research institutes and scientific communities, as well as companies throughout Berlin.
Berlin Partner as a company is a public private partnership, owned and financed by more than 50 percent by private companies. It is supported by more than 150 companies. They are granted special access to the Berlin business community as well as to important political contacts. The Berlin Partner supporting members are included in the business settlement activities. They are also involved in the development of expert teams and strategic networks responsible for developing the comprehensive services offered to new companies in Berlin.
Berlin Partner provides comprehensive information about funding and financing options. It assists in finding employees and carrying out training measures and also helps locate suitable company sites and office premises. Additionally Berlin Partner offers support in business management conceptional matters and assists with contacts to authorities, banks, chambers and associations. Investors can profit from Berlin Partner’s close cooperation with many partner institutions, such as e.g. the senate administration, the Job Centres, funding and commercial banks, technology and founder centres, the chambers etc..
For further information:
Berlin Partner GmbH
Ludwig Erhard Haus
Fasanenstrasse 85
10623 Berlin
Germany
Phone: +49 (0)30 39980 0
Fax: +49 (0)30 39980 239
http://www.berlin-partner.de
http://www.businesslocationcenter.de