Major Business Magazines Rank Berlin High On Lists
Business Facilities and Site Selection Magazines Cite Berlin as Top Place to Grow Businesses in Europe; fDi Markets Data Places Berlin in Germany's Top Three Cities
Berlin, Germany - July 26, 2010 - Since the fall of the wall in 1989, the city of Berlin has been on a mission to revitalize the region both economically and culturally. According to a number of the most recent "ranking" reports released over the last several weeks, it seems to be working.
Business Facilities Magazine's Sixth Annual International Rankings Report, which reflects evolving trends in economic development, site selection, and emerging growth sectors around the world, ranked Berlin No. 1 in International Green Tech and Clean Tech Centers of Excellence. The report, released today, also ranked the German Capital third among the leading International Emerging Biotech Hubs. Germany as a whole, took the No. 1 spot in the International Logistics Leaders category, and fifth in International Quality of Life.
Jack Rogers, Editor-in-Chief of Business Facilities Magazine said, "The words Clean Tech and Berlin quickly are becoming synonymous." He also depicted Berlin's emerging Clean Tech Business Park the "epicenter" of the Clean Tech movement in Europe.
"Berlin has set the bar very high for anyone who wants to compete in the expanding Clean Tech sector," Rogers said.
In reaction to Berlin's standing in the global biotech arena, Rogers pointed out, "The Berlin-Brandenburg region, firmly positioned as one of the top five bioscience centers in Europe, is staking a claim for global leadership in this high-growth field. The scale and diversity of biotech activities in Germany's capital region are breathtaking."
In Site Selection Magazine's second annual ‘Global Best to Invest' rankings report released in May, Germany was rated No. 1 in Western Europe in the Top National Investment Promotion Agency and Regions category, with Berlin ranking third among the country's top federal states. The report identifies which national investment promotion agencies, and regional and metro economic development agencies across five regions, were most successful in attracting capital investment and creating jobs in 2009. The five regions included Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East, and Latin America. The magazine also selected Berlin as a ‘City of Opportunity' given its recent ability to attract jobs and investment.
Further, data collected about the city of Berlin over the last five years by fDi Markets, which provides real-time monitoring of investment projects, capital investment and job creation worldwide, revealed that with 155 new foreign direct investment (FDI) projects, the city ranks fifth among the country's 16 federal states, and third among major cities, following Munich and Frankfurt.
"The city of Berlin is very gratified to be ranked so high in these respected reports," said René Gurka, managing director of Berlin Partner, the economic development agency for Berlin. "Our city is very vibrant, and our deep commitment to continued growth and collaboration with the international community will help to ensure ongoing success for the future."
Among the hundreds of companies who have established offices in the Berlin capital region are Pfizer, Motorola, Google, Evergreen Solar, P&G, MySpace, Nokia, MTV, Gillette, Oracle and Coca-Cola. The city of Berlin offers companies looking to expand to Europe reimbursement grants of up to 35% of a company's investment, while the region as a whole offers up to 50%. Berlin is the only major city in Western Europe offering these grants.
About Berlin Partner
Berlin Partner, the official economic development agency for the city of Berlin, Germany, partners with companies, providing one-stop service and support for companies considering Berlin as a business location. It is funded by the state of Berlin and supported by more than 160 private companies. Through its service offerings, which are offered at no charge, companies can receive assistance in all aspects of establishing an office in Berlin. To learn more, please visit: www.berlin-partner.de. To learn more about Berlin as a business location, please visit www.businesslocationcenter.de.
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Heidi Boie
Carpman Communications
50 Franklin Street, Suite 405
Boston, MA 02110
Cell: 508-846-5307
www.carpmancommunications.com