4/29/2008

Bavaria presents itself to the international community at the 6th Newcomers Festival on the Praterinsel (Prater Island) / Information fair with over 50 exhibitors

Müller: "Rush of visitors underscores international attractiveness of Bavaria as a location"

MUNICH The Munich Newcomers Festival for the international community in Bavaria was held for the sixth time on Sunday. The annual festival, which has become a fixed occasion in the Munich event calendar, again drew over 3,000 guests to the Munich Praterinsel. This informative and entertaining event was again supported by the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, represented through Invest in Bavaria. The Bavarian Economics Minister, Emilia Müller, was delighted about the large crowds at the Newcomers Festival: "This demonstrates once again that the State of Bavaria is an extremely attractive location for the international business community."

Bavaria is a top address for investors from all over the world. "In 2007 Invest in Bavaria successfully concluded 118 investment projects which have created over 3,100 new jobs. A large share of the investments comes from Japan, the USA and European neighbor countries such as Austria and Switzerland", Müller commented. However, a growing number of companies from India and China are also benefiting from the advantages that Bavaria has to offer.

Supporting the Newcomers Festival is part of the wide range of activities organized by the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs to make it easier for international businessmen and women and employees to grow accustomed to life in Bavaria, as Bavaria’s Economics Minister Emilia Müller said in her speech, referring to the commitment of the Ministry: "The long-term success of a company depends not only on purely economic factors, but also on the framework conditions. Because only those who feel looked-after and welcome can perform well."

The Newcomers Festival is aimed specifically at foreign skilled and executive staff and their families, who are working in Bavaria for a limited period of time. International employers residing here, their new members of staff as well as interested Bavarians also had the opportunity to contact organizations and companies. Some 50 exhibitors from the fields of school and education, tourism and culture as well as industrial development provided information about what they had to offer. In addition, the visitors to the international clubs and associations were able to establish new contacts and receive advice from other exhibitors about such matters as health and finance.

The supporting program included performances by music and dance groups. Whether it was Greek and Irish folk or Latin-American rhythms by the Latin Percussion Band – numerous parallel displays ensured a variety of entertainment. Outdoor games were also offered for children.

Source: Invest in Bavaria