Friedrich Merz announces accelerated growth at the investment conference and points to increasing direct investments
AI-generated summary
“Invest in Germany” conference to attract foreign and national investments.
According to Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), companies in the “Made in Germany” initiative have pledged investments amounting to 800 billion euros by 2028.
“We see accelerated growth in 2026 despite increasing geopolitical pressure and a jump in energy prices,” said Merz on Tuesday at the “Invest in Germany” conference.
He pointed out that the International Monetary Fund had increased the growth assumption for Germany to 1.3 percent this year. Foreign direct investment increased by 50 percent to 86 billion euros in 2025 compared to 2024. He also cited a surge in new start-ups.
The federal government is trying to support this development with decisive reforms of the social systems and the reduction of bureaucracy at national and European levels. “The important thing is speed and implementation,” said Merz.
“I want your money,” says Klingbeil
He cited Germany's strengths as political stability, the independence of the justice system, the country's multilateral, reliable orientation, the strong research landscape, the geographical location in the middle of the EU internal market and the still strong industrial base. He called on companies to increasingly use artificial intelligence in their work.
Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) was also present at the meeting. He addressed the investors directly and said in English: “The short version of my workshop is: I want your money.” He made this statement when advertising an upcoming meeting with him.
On the second day of the investment conference, individual companies are also expected to announce new investments in Germany.
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Individual companies announced new investments on the second day of the conference.
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