HTAI Promotes Hessen in Japan and China
Hessen Trade & Invest conducted FDI-Roadshows to Tokyo and Shanghai to promote the state as a strategic location for business, investment, and R&D in Europe.
Representatives from Hessen Trade & Invest (HTAI) visited Japan and China in early February for high-level meetings and events. The delegation, which included Dr. David Eckensberger, Head of Department International Affairs, and Andreas Damrau, Director of Investor Services RCEP Area, met with key stakeholders and around 110 companies in both countries over four days.
The tour was designed to attract foreign direct investment from Japan and China by engaging with companies and institutions in both markets and promoting Hessen as a strategic location for business, investment, and research and development (R&D) in Europe. Particular emphasis was placed on Hessen’s unique position as a central European hub as well as the state’s dynamic business environment and deep pool of diverse talent.
Tokyo: strengthening strategic partnerships
In Tokyo, the program focused on expanding existing economic ties and gaining insights into current investment trends, including a key company visit and a high-level networking event.
The tour began with a strategic briefing at the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan (AHK Japan) with key representatives from German-Japanese economic organizations. Marcus Schürmann (CEO, AHK Japan), Frank Robaschik (Germany Trade & Invest), and Dr. Sophia Anastasia Latsos (German Embassy in Tokyo) provided insights into current economic developments, investment trends, and cooperation opportunities.
The delegation also met with representatives Yu Miyake, Aya Makino, and Keitaro Kondo from the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) to discuss the outbound investment strategies of Japanese companies, European site requirements, and Hessen’s competitive positioning. Further discussions with the Ota City Industrial Promotion Organization explored opportunities for collaboration on technology-driven industrial projects, particularly for start-ups and scale-ups.
The program included a company visit to Toshiba Corporation to discuss site selection criteria, research and development structures, and potential European expansion activities.
A central component of the visit to Tokyo was the Hessen Business & Technology Day, where Hessen was presented as a European hub for innovation and investment. Topics included R&D opportunities, smart city solutions, and the legal framework for establishing operations in Germany. The event also provided a platform for high-level networking with representatives from industry and business associations.
Shanghai: engaging with investors and supporting market entry
In Shanghai, the focus shifted to targeted engagement with Chinese companies pursuing concrete investment projects in Europe. The delegation visited Shanghai Keliang Information Technology, which is launching operations in Darmstadt, to discuss and support the company’s final phase of market entry.
HTAI also hosted a Business Day for Chinese investors to showcase Hessen as a European hub, with a focus on the strengths of key sectors such as healthcare and medical technology. Presentations highlighted examples of successful Chinese investments in Hessen and provided insights into the regulatory, financial, and tax considerations for greenfield investments and mergers and acquisitions. The event was supported by Harald Fuchs from FrankfurtRheinMain GmbH International Marketing of the Region.
Strong interest in Hessen as a stable, innovation-driven location
Overall, the four-day tour clearly positioned Hessen as an attractive investment destination, supported by its economic stability, innovative businesses, and a highly skilled workforce. This was reflected in the strong interest shown by stakeholders in Hessen as a potential gateway to the European market. The meetings also laid the groundwork for concrete follow-up activities, particularly in technology, industrial manufacturing, life sciences, and R&D.