Eastern Germany a Hotspot for Canadian Investors

Toronto (ots) - Germany is an investment hotspot for North
American companies, driven in large part by the eastern federal
states. This is due to the robust high-tech industries and growth
potential despite the economic crisis. Germany has recently seen
greater interest by Canadian investors. Arise Technologies
Corporation shared its success story in Germany at the "How Far East?
Eastern Germany: The No. 1 Business Location for Canadian Investment
Success" road show organized by Germany Trade & Invest in Toronto
last night.

There are around 300 Canadian companies located in Germany. Growth
sectors, especially in Eastern Germany (such as IT, health care, and
renewable energies), correspond with current Canadian investor
interests. The recent Ernst & Young European Attractiveness Survey
supports this: Germany was again the number one investment location
in Europe for international managers.

Driven by the eastern federal states, Germany is a global leader
in renewable energy production, including photovoltaic, wind, and
biofuels. The Canadian economy has also witnessed significant growth
in its renewable energies industry in recent years. Ian MacLellan,
Systems Division President and founder of Arise, outlined his
company?s success and pressed home Eastern Germany?s advantages.
Located in Bischofswerda, Saxony, Arise is one of the world?s leading
solar cell producers. Pivotal to the company?s success, MacLellan
argued, was the competitive edge obtained from its strategic location
at the center of Europe.

MacLellan praised the assistance his company received in the
process of setting up a plant in Germany: "Germany Trade & Invest was
instrumental in bringing key partners together to assist Arise in
building and financing our state of the art plant, and they continue
to be incredibly supportive of Arise. We value these ties and look
forward to developing new relationships as we continue to grow our
business.?

The event, organized to meet the increasing interest shown by
North American investors in the region, was put on by Germany Trade &
Invest in partnership with the Canadian-German Chamber of Industry
and Commerce (CGCIC). The Toronto stop also included keynote speeches
by German Ambassador Matthias Hoepfner and Thomas Beck, President &
CEO of CGCIC. The road show will continue with a similar event in
Chicago on June 12 to present American success stories in the region.
Due to increased demand, further events have been announced for the
fall, including a stop in Montréal this October.

Germany Trade & Invest is the foreign trade and inward investment
promotion agency of the Federal Republic of Germany. The organization
advises foreign companies looking to expand their business activities
in the German market. It provides information on foreign trade to
German companies that seek to enter foreign markets.

Originaltext: Germany Trade and Invest
digital press kits: http://www.presseportal.de/pm/74441
press kits via RSS: http://www.presseportal.de/rss/pm_74441.rss2

Media Contact:
Eva Henkel
Phone: +49 (30) 200099-173
Fax: +49 (30) 200099-111
Email: Eva.Henkel@gtai.com