In Focus Jan 14, 2015

Prospects for 2015 – Highlights for the Bavarian economy in the coming year

After a successful year in 2014, the framework data for the Bavarian economy in the coming year is very promising. The state will become the hub of the entire world – for two days in June at least.

The Munich-based Ifo Institute for Economic Research is predicting average economic growth of 1.5 per cent for Germany in the coming year, while the National Association of German Cooperative Banks (BVR) goes even further, anticipating 2 per cent growth. The figures for Bavaria are even better. This is remarkable given the many economic challenges faced internationally, and speaks for the robust constitution of the German and Bavarian economies.


World politics in Elmau: G7 summit in the Wetterstein mountains

The world economic climate and international political issues will be on the agenda at the G7 Heads of State and Government Summit on 7th and 8th June. As the host country, Germany has selected Schloss Elmau in the Upper Bavarian Wetterstein mountains – one of the most beautiful regions of the Bavarian Alps – as the location for the meeting of the world's seven leading industrial nations. The summit is not only a place where world politics is done, but is also an excellent advertisement for Bavaria as a location. This is not the least helped by the around 5,000 journalists who will report on the G7 summit and broadcast images of Bavaria all over the world. 


Future and innovation: digitalisation

As one of Germany's innovation heartlands and Europe's top ITC location, Bavaria will remain a driver of innovation in digitalisation in 2015, too. The Bavarian state government's digitalisation offensive enters its next round in 2015: Werk 1, the centre for the digital economy, will be expanded in Munich this year. Here, entrepreneurs and start-ups can implement their projects under one roof, cooperate with companies on joint ventures, develop their ideas, products and services in innovation laboratories and IT workshops, and come into lively exchange with ICT and user companies. The ideal environment for international start-ups, too!


Exciting trade fair highlights this year

It is not just digitalisation and key political topics – Bavaria also has exciting trade fair highlights on offer. Mid-June, for example, will see the solar industry come together at Messe München for their most important get-together. More than 40,000 trade visitors are expected at Intersolar Europe, where the latest trends in the fields of photovoltaics, PV production technology, energy storage and regenerative heat will be presented. 

In early October, the international property sector will come together at Expo Real. Europe's largest B2B trade fair for property and investment attracts almost 40,000 trade visitors to the state capital every year. The trade fair focuses on networking, market sounding and the latest trends and developments in the property sector. 

Taking place in early October in Nuremberg, it-sa is all about IT security. The trade fair is the only one of its kind in the German-speaking world and has established an excellent reputation worldwide. The key topics this year include cloud security, mobile security and encryption, among others, but the trade fair will also reflect fundamental issues such as biometrics, network security and virus protection.

Augsburg will also enjoy a significant upgrade as a trade fair location in 2015, thanks to a three-million-euro investment. The construction of a new, fourth exhibition hall will reinforce the position of Bavaria's third-largest trade fair location in international competition. The first to benefit from the completion of the new hall in Autumn 2015 will be the key leading trade fair Interlift


Knowledge transfer and interdisciplinary dialogue in Munich

Even beyond the large trade fairs, the Bavarian economy offers plenty of opportunities for networking, information and consultancy once again in 2015. The year's first highlight will be very soon: 18th-20th January. At the Digital-Life-Design Conference at the HVB Forum in Munich, the international forum for digital innovations, over 1,000 entrepreneurs, creative minds and influencers from the digital economy will come together with investors and top decision-makers, as well as over 150 speakers from all over the world.

During Munich Creative Business Week, starting on 21st February 2015, Munich will become Germany's “design capital”. Germany's largest event in the sector is a magnet for creative minds, business representatives and companies every year. Exchange of knowledge and interdisciplinary dialogue on the design of the future will be inspired here under the motto “Design connects – Metropolitan ideas”.

As you can see, Bavaria offers an inspiring environment. Would you like to know more about how you can benefit from Bavaria as a business location and how you can settle your company successfully in Bavaria? Get in touch – we will be happy to tell you more!