Investment summit: “I want your money”: Federal government is courting investors – Amazon pledges 16 billion euros

At the federal government's first investment conference, the Chancellor promoted the location - and promised to make it even more attractive. Billions are to flow into eight areas.

Friedrich Merz: “We come from a position of strength,” said the Chancellor. Photo: Bloomberg

Berlin. When Friedrich Merz (CDU) comes on stage, he first talks about clichés. The Germans are punctual, get up early and, on vacation, put their towel on the lounger before breakfast. “In short, we are what investors like most,” said Merz.

That's exactly what this day is supposed to be about. The federal government has invited people to the investment conference. Around 200 investors came to the premises of the ESMT University in Berlin-Mitte.

It is the first time that such an event has taken place in Germany. So there is a lot at stake for the criticized Chancellor. And for the location, which is under similar pressure.

But Merz primarily described the advantages that Germany offers. “Reinvent, scale and accelerate” – these clichés about Germany would also be true. “We come from a position of strength.” Merz particularly emphasized medium-sized companies, which had great opportunities for international investors. “These are our ‘hidden champions’.”

The federal government has already launched a “holistic agenda” with large-scale investments, tax relief and a strengthening of the capital market. But the Chancellor also admitted that Germany still needs to improve. “Yes, we have our challenges,” he said.

225 billion euros in investments

After the opening of the conference, small rounds of discussions began between the government and investors. Various federal ministers are currently sitting together with representatives from financial institutions and entrepreneurs in various meeting rooms at the university.

Lars Klingbeil (SPD), Friedrich Merz (CDU) and Katherina Reiche (CDU): After the opening of the conference, small rounds of discussions began between the government and investors. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa

In addition, all ministers present are holding workshops in various rounds to exchange experiences about which investment conditions in Germany still need to be improved. They talk about investment opportunities in a total of eight sectors of the German economy: AI and digital, energy, traffic and transportation, construction, defense, space travel, administrative modernization and public-private partnerships. “I want your money,” joked Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) before the start of his workshop.

The extent to which agreements on new investments will be concluded at the new conference will become clear as the day progresses. According to Economics Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU), private investors have already announced investments totaling 228 billion euros in Germany this year. This only includes major investments of 100 million euros or more.

Amazon plans to invest around 16 billion euros

However, another major project was already announced during the conference: The American technology group Amazon wants to invest more than 16 billion euros in Germany next year. Of this, 4.8 billion euros will flow into the expansion of “Amazon Web Services” (AWS) in Frankfurt, which supports cloud and AI applications.

In addition to expanding the cloud infrastructure, Amazon is planning a second research laboratory for robotics and artificial intelligence in Berlin. There are also activities relating to the Amazon Leo satellite internet and more than 15 Prime Video productions.

Amazon employs more than 40,000 permanent employees in Germany. New logistics projects are expected to create more than 3,000 additional jobs.