Office of Economic Development Düsseldorf Offers and Services

Office of Economic Development Düsseldorf Offers and Services

Welcome to Düsseldorf! Düsseldorf is one of the most successful business locations in Europe. This international business hub offers ideal location conditions and a high quality of life as well as moderate settlement and operating costs. Düsseldorf adopts a service oriented approach to administration with short and fast decision making paths. The city also offers an exceptionally well developed public infrastructure and attractive services and facilities for both German and foreign companies and their employees in the fields of education, training, culture and leisure. All these features represent ideal starting conditions for the successful development of your company. The Office of Economic Development is the first port of call for all companies, whatever their concerns from the support of foreign companies in matters concerning residence permits to the relocation of a business within the city area. From startup to expansion and on to the question of company succession our experienced specialists can help you move forward at every stage of your company s development. A key focus of the Office of Economic Development s work is to provide comprehensive and individual support to international companies. Operating as a one stop agency, experienced country specialists deal with the concerns of foreign investors. In the course of their acquisition activities, the Office of Economic Development targets potential investors, for example at leading international fairs and industry events. The Office also organises country related and specialist investment seminars and company forums on this subject. The real estate service offered by the Office of Economic Development provides companies with real estate offers tailored to their individual needs. When seeking official permits, the team offers advice on handling problems and queries with the municipality or other authorities. Start up consultancy and the coaching of young companies are also important areas of activity offered by the Office of Economic Development. Our specialists help with the preparation of business plans by offering advice, providing access to consultancy fee subsidies and other funding. A key focus is on innovative and technology oriented start ups from the Düsseldorf universities. The ICT, life science and creative industries are some of the key sectors in Düsseldorf and are supported by the Office of Economic Development through networking activities and various other initiatives. Director Uwe Kerkmann Phone +49 211 89 95500 uwe.kerkmann@duesseldorf.de Head of Division National Business Services Andre Boschem Phone +49 211 89 95502 andre.boschem@duesseldorf.de Head of Division International Business Services Annette Klerks Phone +49 211 89 95503 annette.klerks@duesseldorf.de

International Business Services In Düsseldorf, one company in seven has a foreign origin. So Düsseldorf is the most important location for foreign direct investment in North Rhine Westphalia and one of the leading international locations in Germany. The Office of Economic Development is the first port of call for international companies, providing comprehensive and targeted advice and support not only on settlement and establishment and taking the first few steps in Düsseldorf, but also in every other development phase and business situation. Information is offered in 10 languages. We provide consultancy services in English, French, Japanese, Chinese and Russian. Our team of experienced country specialists offers individual and comprehensive service packages tailored to the requirements of each company. The services offered range from initial information with facts and figures on the business location Düsseldorf and on the essential basic conditions of your investments to information on the formalities that need to be completed when establishing your branch as well as assistance in the search for suitable properties, offices and business premises in Düsseldorf. We also advise you on matters relating to your visa and residence permit procedures. We are in close contact with the important business and country networks in Düsseldorf which can be of assistance in developing your business. Even if you have been in Düsseldorf for some time, we are your first point of call for all official permits and would be pleased to support you in all important matters. We offer our services to all international companies. Traditionally close ties exist with our western European neighbours (e.g. The Netherlands, United Kingdom, France), but also with the USA. The Office of Economic Development is increasingly focusing on new countries including those in Eastern Europe, Turkey, Korea and India. These are supported by specialist teams. Two international business communities distinguish the location of Düsseldorf: Japan and China. Special service desks have been set up to deal with both these key countries. Annette Klerks (Head of Division) Phone +49 211 89 95503 annette.klerks@duesseldorf.de Paul Stertz (Europe, Turkey) Phone +49 211 89 95892 paul.stertz@duesseldorf.de Lilia Scheliga (Russia, Eastern Europe) Phone +49 211 89 95506 lilia.scheliga@duesseldorf.de Boris Stähly (USA, Korea) Phone +49 211 89 21718 boris.staehly@duesseldorf.de Bettina Löhr (India) Phone +49 211 89 95506 bettina.loehr@duesseldorf.de Japan Desk Düsseldorf and the surrounding region has been the most important business location for Japanese companies in continental Europe for many decades. The Office of Economic Development has set up a Japan Desk for the special needs of the approximately 360 Japanese companies, their staff and the numerous Japanese institutions in Düsseldorf. Japanese speaking country experts with intercultural experience and in depth knowledge of the needs of Japanese companies offer their services to companies in the form of a one stop agency. The close contact with the Japanese community and its institutions ensures that new companies are quickly and easily integrated into the German Japanese networks in Düsseldorf. China Competence Centre Since the China Kompetenzzentrum Düsseldorf CKD (China Competence Center Düsseldorf ) was established as a joint venture with the IHK (Chamber of Commerce and Industry) and Messe Düsseldorf in 2004, Düsseldorf has developed into one of the most important locations for Chinese companies in Germany. There are now around 330 Chinese companies established in Düsseldorf and these receive a comprehensive range of consultancy services in Chinese from the CKD team. In addition to supporting the acquisition of new Chinese companies and managing existing ones, the team deals with the continuous development of the existing Chinese infrastructure in the city which can now be regarded as excellent. The CKD s website is a unique platform for all companies offering services to Chinese companies. Elisabeth Inhester Phone +49 211 89 95721 elisabeth.inhester@duesseldorf.de Simone Menshausen Phone +49 211 89 93382 simone.menshausen@duesseldorf.de Sabine Heber Phone +49 211 89 95870 sabine.heber@duesseldorf.de Benjamin Leonhardt Phone +49 211 89 92294 benjamin.leonhardt@duesseldorf.de

National Business Services Location advice, real estate service, permit management We show you important location advantages and future developments in the state capital and help you to choose the right location. Whether you are interested in information on office space development or the retail trade situation or are looking for contacts in institutions and companies the Office of Economic Development would be pleased to advise and support you in all these areas. We can provide you with an overview of the Düsseldorf real estate market, together with all essential facts and figures. Property offered by public and private real estate agents is recorded and continuously updated in our own database. We can help you find suitable office and commercial space, establish contacts with brokers, and accompany you on appointments to view properties, if required. We are on hand to advise you on seeking official permits or handling problems or queries with the municipality or other authorities. Whether your questions relate to building site development, planning permission, business expansion, parking spaces, or permits for the erection of advertising panels we can guide you on your way around the various authorities. Thomas Zacharias (Head of Department) Phone +49 211 89 95507 thomas.zacharias@duesseldorf.de Company support Office space centre, south Markus Dörsing Phone +49 211 89 93880 markus.doersing@duesseldorf.de Office space north, west, east Bernd Weich Phone +49 211 89 97682 bernd.weich@duesseldorf.de Industrial properties centre, north, west Ursula Stobbe Phone +49 211 89 95871 ursula.stobbe@duesseldorf.de Industrial properties east, south Peter Blech Phone +49 211 89 97687 peter.blech@duesseldorf.de Company support for large-scale enterprises Large scale enterprises have different service requirements from start ups, small and medium sized companies. That is why we also offer them tailored support and ensure that they are able to make the best possible use of the advantages offered by the business location Düsseldorf. The wide range of support offered includes human resources, building projects/ permit management, infrastructure, sustainability strategies and public relations work. Bettina Maecker Phone +49 211 89 92575 bettina.maecker@duesseldorf.de Katja Riese Phone +49 211 89 97686 katja.riese@duesseldorf.de Basic work, economic statistics, regional cooperation The Office of Economic Development contributes to the future development of the business location in a number of working groups, for example in developing and updating the city development concept, preparing the Masterplan Industrie and promoting regional collaboration with the Mettmann county and the Rhein Neuss county. By compiling location information, statistical evaluations and business analyses, the department provides administrative offices, institutions and companies located in Germany and abroad with important basic data. City development, Masterplan Industrie, real estate analyses Andreas Eberhöfer (Head of Department) Phone +49 211 89 95875 andreas.eberhoefer@duesseldorf.de Regional cooperation Andreas Brauer Phone +49 211 89 97689 andreas.brauer@duesseldorf.de Economic statistics, location information Alexander Löser Phone +49 211 89 93842 alexander.loeser@duesseldorf.de Business start-up advice Young, innovative companies bring dynamism to a business location. We therefore support new business by offering individual advice, coaching circles and intensive workshops. The Office of Economic Development coordinates the start up network, Gründungsnetzwerk Düsseldorf, an association of 23 institutions that organises about 200 events annually on the subject of self employment. With the NUK Business Plan Competition, we offer a chance for start up teams to develop special business ideas, get to know interested parties offering capital and expand their network with other start ups. Advice on funding programmes Start up loans, consulting programmes, venture capital and deficiency guarantees a range of public institutions, banks and funds support start ups on their way towards self employment and companies in important development phases. The Office of Economic Development offers in depth advice on the various services available and supports the application process, providing access to investors. Ferdinand Nett (Head of Department) Phone +49 211 89 93843 ferdinand.nett@duesseldorf.de Daniel Adler Phone +49 211 89 97688 daniel.adler@duesseldorf.de Jürgen Gerreser Phone +49 211 89 95873 juergen.gerreser@duesseldorf.de Christiane Knoll Phone +49 211 89 93892 christiane.knoll@duesseldorf.de Carola Schneider Phone +49 211 89 97685 carola.schneider@duesseldorf.de

Fields of competency, sector development Düsseldorf s economy is characterised by a broad mix of industries and therefore offers all types of business related service, creating synergy and providing a high level of stability. Düsseldorf is very strongly represented in the competence areas: creative industry, life sciences and information and communications technology. These key industries are particularly significant for the future development of the location and we give them strong support. Creative industry, fashion In the fields of advertising and fashion, Düsseldorf holds a leading position in Germany. There are also various small companies in the creative sector, above all in the design segment. Düsseldorf is one of the strongest locations for the fashion industry in Germany and has gained Europe wide significance with its exhibition and showroom business. We moderate the Fashion Net Düsseldorf e. V., collect and analyse industry specific structural data and support creative new entrepreneurs in setting up their own start ups with consultancy services tailored to their needs. Christiane Knoll Phone +49 211 89 93892 christiane.knoll@duesseldorf.de Biotechnology The life science technology cluster in the Düsseldorf region now includes 90 life science companies and many specialised service providers and suppliers. We promote its development by marketing the cluster at national and international industry events. The Office of Economic Development is partner of LifeScienceNet Düsseldorf. Furthermore, the Office of Economic Development integrates the location Düsseldorf into the activities of the Rhineland biotechnology initiative, BioRiver Life Science im Rheinland e. V. Daniel Adler Phone +49 211 89 97688 daniel.adler@duesseldorf.de Development of specialist staff To develop specialist staff and tie them into the company, new paths and strategies are required. The Office of Economic Development coordinates the strategic concept to guarantee specialist staff in Düsseldorf. The aim is to link those involved such as companies, institutions and associations and to create transparency with regard to information and support possibilities. Ferdinand Nett Phone +49 211 89 93843 ferdinand.nett@duesseldorf.de Publications and location information For start ups and companies from Germany and abroad, we have a wide range of service brochures available e.g.: Location profile Düsseldorf Facts for investors Business centres in Düsseldorf Locations for the creative industry Office building projects and potential in Düsseldorf (map) The Media Harbour Office location Seestern Commercial location Theodorstraße Business parks in Düsseldorf Mobile City Düsseldorf Life sciences in Düsseldorf Promotional video in ten languages You can find all the publications available at www.duesseldorf.de/business Public relations work and location marketing Martin Beckers Phone +49 211 89 97680 martin.beckers@duesseldorf.de Dr. Marion Schwartzkopff Phone +49 211 89 95504 marion.schwartzkopff@duesseldorf.de Information & Communications Technology (ICT) 1,900 companies in the information and communications industry employing around 30,000 people are based in Düsseldorf. Düsseldorf is Germany s capital of mobile communications so ITC is one of the key industries here. This industry is one we particularly support e.g. by organising exhibition attendance and events and with industry specific publications and the campaign Mobile Düsseldorf. Jürgen Gerreser Phone +49 211 89 95873 juergen.gerreser@duesseldorf.de

at the Office of Economic Development City of Düsseldorf Office of Economic Develeopment Burgplatz 1 40213 Düsseldorf business@duesseldorf.de www.duesseldorf.de/business Director: Uwe Kerkmann, Phone +49 211 89-95500 Head of Division National Business Services: Andre Boschem, Phone +49 211 89-95502 Company support and real estate services Head of Department: Thomas Zacharias Phone +49 211 89 95507 Company support, office space city centre, south: Markus Dörsing Phone +49 211 89 93880 Company support, office space north, west, east: Bernd Weich Phone +49 211 89 97682 Company support, industrial properties centre, north, west: Ursula Stobbe Phone +49 211 89 95871 Company support, industrial properties south and east: Peter Blech Phone +49 211 89 97687 Company support for large-scale enterprises: Bettina Maecker Phone +49 211 89 92575 Katja Riese Phone +49 211 89 97686 SME support, sector development, development of specialist staff Head of Department: Ferdinand Nett Phone +49 211 89 93843 Fashion and creative industry: Christiane Knoll Phone +49 211 89 93892 Start-up consulting, ICT: Jürgen Gerreser Phone +49 211 89 95873 Start-up consulting, company support: Carola Schneider Phone +49 211 89 97685 Life Sciences/biotechnology, acquisition: Daniel Adler Phone +49 211 89 97688 Basic work, economic statistics, regional cooperation Head of Department: City development, Masterplan Industrie, real estate analyses: Andreas Eberhöfer Phone +49 211 89 95875 Regional cooperation, science location: Andreas Brauer Phone +49 211 89 97689 Economic statistics, location information: Alexander Löser Phone +49 211 89 93842 Head of Division International Business Services Annette Klerks, Phone +49 211 89-95503 International Business Services Focus on Europe, Turkey: Paul Stertz Phone +49 211 89 95892 Focus on Eastern Europe, Russia: Lilia Scheliga Phone +49 211 89 95506 Japan Desk: Sabine Heber Phone +49 211 89 95870 Benjamin Leonhardt Phone +49 211 89 92294 Focus on USA, Korea: Boris Stähly Phone +49 211 89 21718 Focus on India: Bettina Löhr Phone +49 211 89 95506 China Competence Centre: Elisabeth Inhester Phone +49 211 89 95721 Simone Menshausen Phone +49 211 89 93382 Published by the State Capital Düsseldorf The Mayor Office of Economic Development Responsible Uwe Kerkmann Editorial Martin Beckers Design Beate Tebartz, Düsseldorf Photos P. Esser; Galina Barskaya, fotodesign-jegg.de, Monkey Business, Ray: alle Fotolia.de; Getty Images; H.-P. Heinrichs; Messe Düsseldorf; A. Wiese Public relations and location marketing Martin Beckers Phone +49 211 89 97680 martin.beckers@duesseldorf.de Dr. Marion Schwartzkopff Phone +49 211 89 95504 marion.schwartzkopff@duesseldorf.de II/15 1.