1. BUSINESS BAVARIA The Business Promotion Agency of the State of Bavaria
ISSUE 01/02 | 2013
WHAT‘S INSIDE
5 MINUTES WITH ...
Felix Sprick, Regional Manager of the Mu-
nich based Consultancy Netlight Germany
Page 2
IN FOCUS: COMMUNITIES
China, Japan and India in Bavaria
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BAVARIA IN YOUR BRIEFCASE
Dog Sled Races in the Bavarian Forest
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Bavaria‘s flag flies world-wide
MEETING OF REPRESENTATIVES, 26 FEBRUARY TO 1 MARCH 2013 IN BAVARIA
THE HUB OF THE NETWORK
It is a network that connects the world to Bavaria: 23 representa- representatives are crucial for this success. With their detailed local and
tives of Bavaria spread all over the world to help companies establish industry specific knowledge they not only provide foreign companies with
themselves and generate success in the Federal State. On 26 Feb- relevant information, but also help them successfully set up their busines-
ruary the economic ambassadors will meet for several days for their ses. To ensure that this quality can be sustained, all the representatives
traditional annual meeting. traditionally meet officials from the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs
once a year. This time Augsburg was chosen as the venue.
The history of Bavarian representations abroad is a success story. Shortly
after Bavaria set up its first foreign representative office in Tokyo in 1988, a From 26 February to 1 March 2013 the representatives will exchange ideas
whole network of representatives started to grow around the world. Today, and experiences. They will discuss their projects and share information
more than 20 foreign representatives on four continents provide on-site about funding options for foreign companies and current developments in
support for companies planning to set up shop in Germany’s economically Bavarian economic policy. This year they will also meet the budget commit-
strongest Federal State. tee of the Bavarian Federal State Parliament and the Secretary of State,
Katja Hessel. They will also take part in a number of workshops including
Their work bears fruit. Last year, many renowned companies once again es- recruiting specialists and location marketing. The topic of focus this
tablished branches in Bavaria. The expertise and experience of the Bavarian year is the issue of environmental technology.
THE PROBLEM SOLVERS FROM COBURG
Innovations are as much a part of Bavaria as the famous Hofbräuhaus. director, anticipated as early as in 2006 that sensor systems would have
The best example to underline this is the Institute for Sensor and Actu- increasingly important economic value. Since then, ISAT has become by far
ator Technology (ISAT) in Coburg. The institute’s new building, called the largest research area at Coburg University, employing 22 professionals
Hofbräuhaus, was opened recently on campus, further enhancing the from different technical disciplines such as mechanical, electrical and elec-
atmosphere of concentrated innovation. tronic engineering, applied physics, chemistry and biology.
Rooms for electronics, sensors, meeting rooms, scientific and administra- Numerous projects and innovations ripe for production have already
tive offices have been created on space exceeding 1,000 square metres. The emerged from ISAT’s close links with science and industry. The institute’s
new building provides experts with a highly effective laboratory operation special competence lies in the development and application of new sensors
comprising high-tech devices for sensor systems. As Stephan Horn, Mana- and actuators, in particular with ultrasound technologies. Beyond that, the
ging Director of Coburg’s business development office, stresses: “With the institute co-operates with regional companies such as Brose, Kapp, Best-
new building, we do not only strengthen science and the ISAT, but also Sens and Lasco. “The local economy likes to turn to the ISAT scientists to
develop the region as a business location.“ solve specific problems because of their track record in innovation“, com-
Professor Dr. Gerhard Lindner, who founded the facility and is its current ments spokeswoman Uschi Diehl.
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2. 5 MINUTES WITH ...
FELIX SPRICK,
REGIONAL MANAGER OF NETLIGHT GERMANY, BASED IN MUNICH
Netlight’s prime focus is on responsible and sustainable management. The Scandinavian management consultancy, which is both product
and technology independent, operates within the IT sector on a European level. Since it started in 1999, Netlight has grown to become an
international player with over 300 employees. For over a year now, Netlight has also been active in Munich.
of employees and customers encourages us in our gested we would only be able to persuade people
goal to develop the site further. Munich is the fu- to move to Munich from Oslo, Helsinki and Stock-
ture for the entire group and we are looking ahead holm because of the Oktoberfest, FC Bayern and
with confidence. Many Scandinavian companies the proximity to the Alps – we have proved them
have not dared expand to the ‘mainland’ or es- all wrong. This new location is a ‘win-win’ for the
tablish themselves, but our first year in Munich entire company.
shows that it is indeed possible to leave a lasting
footprint. WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS AND EX-
PECTATIONS OF BAVARIA?
HOW IMPORTANT IS AND WAS THE CO- We look forward to our future in Munich and to all
OPERATION WITH INVEST IN BAVARIA? the exciting challenges awaiting us. Our objective
Invest in Bavaria helped us to take our first steps is concentrating on responsible and sustainable
into a new market competently with clear goals business rather than on growth at any price. In the
and is still an important partner for us. We are al- future, we want to be seen even more as a local
ways happy to rely on the years of experience of service provider who contributes the knowledge
their qualified employees. We highly recommend and competence accumulated over hundreds of
co-operation with Invest in Bavaria to anyone who projects to the creation of value for our customers.
YOUR COMPANY WORKS INTERNATIONAL- has identified Bavaria as a growth market for their
LY – IN LONDON, OSLO, AND STOCKHOLM business.
AND SINCE LAST YEAR ALSO IN MUNICH.
HOW WOULD YOU SUM UP THE PAST YEAR HOW WELL HAS THE MUNICH BRANCH
IN BAVARIA? INTEGRATED ITSELF INTO YOUR INTER-
Bavaria and in particular Munich is a perfect loca- NATIONAL GROUP?
tion for Netlight Consulting and also for me per- As already mentioned, the Munich location has
sonally in many ways. I was born and bred in Mu- a unique appeal within the company. Of course
nich, graduated in computer science at LMU and this is due to the high quality of life in Munich.
spent a major part of my life here. The high density At the same time, however, our staff have a one-
of motivated and highly qualified talent in Bavaria, time opportunity to be involved in the establish-
the wide range of great customers and the open- ment of a new office from the ground up and work
ness towards technology-driven companies, like in a highly dynamic environment for demanding
us, are simply fascinating. The positive responses clients. Colleagues at all the other locations sug-
2050
NUMBER
OF THE
MONTH
In 2012, Invest in Bavaria, the business promotion agency of the Sta- half of the jobs (45%) were in rural areas. This shows that Invest in
te of Bavaria, created over 2050 new jobs in the State by way of 83 Bavaria provides an indispensable contribution to strengthening the
successful investment projects. A very positive factor is that almost rural regions in Bavaria.
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3. IN FOCUS: COMMUNITIES
CHINA, JAPAN AND INDIA IN BAVARIA
It almost feels like home: the Japanese hairdresser is around the cor- ties. The Bavarian-Chinese higher education centres based in Bayreuth and
ner, the Chinese supermarket only to a few streets away and the Indian Qingdao were recently established to promote international exchange.
restaurant serves traditional culinary treats. This is no coincidence – But China and Bavaria are not just connected on an intellectual and economic
Bavaria has become a home to many cultures. level – there are also good, regular direct flight connections to Peking, Shang-
Bavaria is an attractive business location for a number of international com- hai and Hong Kong. Those who do not wish to fly home can find Chinese super-
panies. Many companies have set up businesses in the State – and with markets, restaurants, furniture shops and bookstores in all the larger Bavarian
them come representatives from a range of cultures. Whilst the enterprises cities. The Chinese community in Bavaria continues to grow also because of
are pleased with the outstanding research and business landscape, the new the cluster initiative of the Bavarian State Government. It creates networks
Bavarian citizens discover active and extensive communities with elements of and supports co-operation projects between companies, research institutions,
their own culture. suppliers and investors. As a result, a number of Chinese-language service
providers, such as tax advisers, lawyers and accountants can be found here.
Japan in Bavaria
The vitality of different cultural groups in Bavaria is well illustrated by the India’s Culture is en Vogue in Bavaria
Japanese community. About 250 Japanese companies have branches in Ba- China’s neighbour in South Asia is also happy to make the State their new
varia and approximately 6,450 Japanese people have found a new home here. home. The Indian community in Bavaria is considered one of the largest in
The local community is believed to be the second largest in Germany. Among Germany. Over 8,500 Indians live here, about 3,400 of whom are in Munich.
the reasons for its popularity are the proximity to business customers and the Why do they feel at home here? A number of factors make the country’s cul-
good direct flight connections to their homeland. But is Bavaria really the new ture come alive in Bavaria. In addition to Indian restaurants more and more
focus of their lives? People are allowed to live their way of life while get- Yoga, Ayurveda, Indian culture and music centres are opened, and even ba-
ting acquainted with Bavarian culture. The Japanese International School, the zaars where Hindi is spoken. In additions, the Bavarian-Indian Zentrum für
Japanese Kindergarten and the Japanese Saturday Schools in Munich and Wirtschaft und Hochschulen (BayIND) promotes cooperation projects between
Nuremberg are frequented by many Japanese. In all the larger cities, but also Bavaria and India, particularly when it comes to universities.
in some smaller towns such as Murnau at the Staffelsee, Ingolstadt, Fürth
and Freising, intercultural training programs are offered with translators and Bavaria’s close and intensive links to Asian countries have a long tradition. The
interpreters available on-site. fact that ever more companies find a new base and that people from Japan,
China and India find a new home is an asset for the entire State, not just eco-
The Japanese also feel particularly at home because they share a special pas- nomically but culturally as well.
sion for art and classical music with their Bavarian neighbours. The state capi-
tal is a particularly popular place for the recreational activities of all cultures,
LINKS: JAPAN IN BAVARIA
not least with its cultural attractions, numerous concerts, Pinakotheken and
www.japan-in-bayern.de www.muenchen.de.emb-japan.go.jp/de/index.htm
museums. In addition, the German-Japanese society in Bavaria with headquar-
www.djg-muenchen.de www.djg-nordbayern.de www.japanclub-munich.de
ters in Munich, puts on numerous events featuring Japan.
www.jism.de www.hoshuko.de http://siebold-museum.byseum.de/de/home
3,000 Chinese Students at Bavarian Universities
LINKS: CHINA IN BAVARIA
The ‘Middle Kingdom’ too values Bavaria as more than just a business location.
www.chinaforumbayern.de www.chinaforumbayern.de/cn
More than 150 Chinese companies are active in the State and 15 Bavarian cit-
www.baychina.org www.bayern-shandong.com.cn
ies and towns are twinned with Chinese cities. The Community is correspond-
ingly large and growing. About 13,000 Chinese currently live in Bavaria, a third
LINKS: INDIA IN BAVARIA
of them in the Munich region.
www.munichmela.de www.indien-institut.de www.bayind.de/enter.html
Bavaria is also attractive for the friends from the Far East due to its excellent
universities. About 3,000 Chinese students are enrolled at Bavarian universi-
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