Despite sharp increases in energy prices and an increasing shortage of skilled workers, the feared slump in foreign investment in Germany did not materialize this year.
"In terms of the number of new settlements, things are even looking a little better than in 2021," said Robert Hermann, Managing Director of the federal business development agency Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI). In 2021, a total of 1,806 foreign companies settled in Germany or expanded their locations - an increase of seven percent."It continues to develop upwards," said Hermann, looking ahead to the year that is coming to an end.Final figures will be available in a few months.
There is also a positive trend and no dip in inquiries for which investments are being initiated.
"There is no hesitation about Germany as a business location," said Hermann in view of the debates about the threat of de-industrialization as a result of the drastically increased energy prices as a result of the Russian war against Ukraine.
This is also reflected in the fact that foreign companies are increasingly investing in future technologies - for example in the areas of semiconductors, battery production and battery recycling.
"There are many companies here that want to invest a lot of money." The chip manufacturer Intel, for example, announced in the spring that it wanted to build a plant in Magdeburg for 17 billion euros - even if there were doubts recently as to whether the project would go through as planned or something is shifting.
The USA remained the top investor in the year just ended, by a wide margin.
"The dollar exchange rate plays a huge role," Hermann said.
Due to its strong appreciation against the euro, investments here are cheaper for American companies.
Great Britain is in second place among investors, which GTAI sees as a consequence of Brexit: "Anyone who is active in Germany secures access to the entire EU internal market," said Hermann.
Neighbor France follows in third place.
China, on the other hand, is no longer in the top ten.
"That has to do with the zero-Covid policy of the People's Republic, because of which companies there can neither get out nor come in," said Hartmann.
In the coming year, however, Chinese investors could make a comeback, since Beijing has now relaxed its strict policy.
In addition, Chinese investors would find it more difficult to take over German companies, which is why they would change their strategy and settle here themselves.
"That's why there could be more Chinese companies coming to Germany again in 2023."