Baden-Württemberg Continues to be in Demand With Foreign Investors

Even in times of crisis, significantly more foreign settlement projects than in the previous year

Baden-Württemberg remains a popular investment location for companies from abroad even during the corona crisis. According to the state's own location promotion agency Baden-Württemberg International (BW_i), the German south-west attracted 398 foreign settlement projects in the past year and was thus well above the level in 2019 (365 projects). A total of around 5800 international companies are currently based in Baden-Württemberg. “The very good result shows that Baden-Württemberg is very popular even in times of crisis. The country scores with international investors with its innovative strength in future topics such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology or fuel cell development, its business-related research institutions, well-trained specialists and, last but not least, with its high quality of life, "said Minister of Economic Affairs Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut.

Switzerland - traditionally a close economic partner of the German south-west due to its proximity to the border - took the top spot among the countries of origin of foreign investments in 2020, as in previous years, with 129 projects (2019: 111). The USA followed with 42 (2019: 38), Austria with 29 (2019: 22), France with 28 (2019: 19), the Netherlands with 25 projects (2019: 15) and Great Britain with 19 projects (2019: 17). While the willingness to invest in European countries has increased compared to the previous year, investments from China with 15 projects fell by around a third (2019: 22).

Number one innovation location in Europe

In terms of the industries most attractive to foreign investors, mechanical engineering is in the lead with 57 projects, followed by information and telecommunications technology (56) and the health industry (46). "Foreign investors take advantage of Baden-Württemberg's strengths - as the number one innovation location in Europe, we are of interest to all those companies who want to shape the future and are interested in new perspectives," said Dr. Christian Herzog, managing director of Baden-Württemberg International. In addition to the 398 settlements in the past year, "BW_i" also recorded 49 company takeovers and 15 minor holdings in the Baden-Württemberg location in the area of ​​foreign investments.