ASIA CONNECT
Düsseldorf is one of Europe's most important hubs for business with Asia. Historically, close ties with Japan began in the 1950s, followed later by China, Korea and, most recently, India as a dynamic growth market. Today, the city is a hub for international companies, an anchor point for skilled workers and a meeting place for cultures – from Japan Day to Indian cricket.
Japan – tradition meets innovation
Anyone strolling along Immermannstraße will immediately sense that Japan is just a stone's throw away in Düsseldorf. Little Tokyo, Japan Day and the Dokomi anime convention are cultural beacons of one of the largest Japanese communities in Europe – around 8,400 Japanese people live here. Behind this is an economic presence that has been deeply rooted for decades. Large companies such as Mitsubishi Electric and Canon have been managing their German operations from Düsseldorf since the 1970s, construction machinery manufacturer Komatsu is expanding its premises here, and the major Japanese banks MUFG and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation have their German branches here. In addition, there are medium-sized companies that conduct research, development and sales from the state capital. Düsseldorf is considered the centre of the Japanese economy in Germany. ‘In recent years, more and more Japanese start-ups have visited the city in search of business opportunities, and large companies are investing specifically in strengthening the city as a location for innovation,’ says Kazuyoshi Sugano, Director of JETRO Düsseldorf, the Japanese Foreign Trade Promotion and Investment Centre. He adds that Japan Business Day is ‘a unique platform that only exists in Düsseldorf’. Akio Ryomoto, President of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JIHK), recalls that Düsseldorf was already an important location when the chamber was founded in 1966. ‘Today, some companies manage their entire European business from here – in some cases even activities in the Middle East and parts of Africa.’ Sustainability, digitalisation and renewable energies have gained in importance. ‘We see that member companies are intensively engaged in hydrogen, wind power and CO₂ reduction – and thus also support the climate targets of the city and state.’ Both emphasise the close networking within the Japanese community – from the Japanese International School to the Japanese Club – as well as the good infrastructure and the understanding of the authorities as clear location advantages.
China – diversity with future potential
Around 700 companies from Greater China are active in Düsseldorf – from global corporations to innovation-driven SMEs. The sectors range from telecommunications and network technology (Huawei, ZTE) to consumer electronics (Xiaomi) and financial services (Bank of China, ICBC) as well as energy solutions and industrial manufacturing. Together, they employ several thousand people in the region. ‘Our branch is firmly anchored in this key economic region and acts as a bridge for Chinese investment in Germany – as well as for German companies entering the Asian market,’ emphasises Li Zhi, head of the Düsseldorf branch of the Bank of China, which has been operating at this location for 15 years now. Investments are concentrated on smart manufacturing, green energy and the digital economy. ‘Düsseldorf is located in an economically developed and highly industrialised region, which gives us access to an efficient European network,’ says Quanxin Wang, General Manager Western Europe at Xiaomi. The city not only offers the technology group logistical advantages, but also access to skilled workers and research. Institutional networks such as the China Competence Centre Düsseldorf – supported by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the city and the trade fair – provide support in the native language, from location searches to questions about the authorities. Long-standing partnerships with Chongqing and the provinces of Jiangsu and Sichuan deepen relations. For Li Zhi, close cooperation with players such as NRW.Global Business is ‘a central pillar for driving forward the transformation from mere observer to active co-creator’.
India – cricket and coding
India is one of the fastest-growing markets in the world. Around 40 Indian companies, including global players such as Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, Wipro and Tech Mahindra – all heavyweights in the Indian IT and technology industry – are based here. 7,000 Indians live in the city – and cultivate sporting traditions as well as business ones: Düsseldorf Cricket Club is the oldest in Germany. With the India Competence Centre Düsseldorf (IKD), which will open in 2025, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the city and Messe Düsseldorf are joining forces to create a central point of contact for all economic activities between Düsseldorf and India. ‘Our goal is to provide targeted support to companies on both sides – in market entry, partner and network contacts, regulatory issues or location development,’ explains project manager Ferdinand Schlechta. The cooperation with the state of Karnataka – known as the ‘Silicon Valley of India’ – focuses on Industry 4.0, digital health and the recruitment of skilled workers. Success stories demonstrate the added value: Rajive Ranjan, Managing Director of Techno Design GmbH, highlights Düsseldorf's strategic location and industry diversity: ‘For Indian companies – especially in fashion, engineering and IT – Düsseldorf is the ideal starting point for efficiently serving Europe.’ Marina Billinger, founder of Leroma GmbH, a digital marketplace for food raw materials, established contacts during a delegation trip to an association in Bangalore that represents 5,000 agricultural businesses – a cooperation that would hardly have been possible from Germany. Trade fairs also open doors: 16 Messe Düsseldorf events are held in India. In ten years, more than 129,000 Indian trade visitors and more than 3,600 exhibitors travelled to the Rhine – making India the third-largest non-European visitor nation to Düsseldorf's leading trade fairs.
Korea – hype around high-tech
Korea is the latest addition to Düsseldorf's Asian economic pillars. Seventy-two major Korean companies are based in the Chamber of Industry and Commerce district, a third of them in the city itself. These include Doosan Robotics Europe (manufacturer of collaborative industrial robots), HD Hyundai Europe R&D (research and development centre), MedTech specialist Seegene, LED supplier Giga Tera EU and AI data platform Aimmo. Together, they form a growing ecosystem for high-tech innovations. The Chamber of Industry and Commerce operates a ‘Korea Desk’ in conjunction with the German-Korean Chamber of Commerce. Since 2024, the city's economic development agency has supplemented this with its own desk, networked with the KEEN NRW e. V. association. Delegation trips to Seoul, GreenTech presentations and trade fair appearances at NextRise in Seoul demonstrate the desire to specifically promote Korean investment. The Chamber of Industry and Commerce sees potential in AI, GreenTech and MedTech – fields in which Düsseldorf's cluster structure offers ideal points of contact. Innovative strength and networking are intended to consolidate the location for Korean engagement. Whether Japanese banks, Chinese tech companies, Korean robotics manufacturers or Indian start-ups – they all find the infrastructure, networks and cultural openness they need to operate successfully in Europe in Düsseldorf. The city combines historical relationships with new growth areas, strengthens international partnerships and is positioning itself as a hub for future markets. •
Words: Karolina Landowski
Pictures: JIHK, Techno Design, Xiaomi, Melanie Zanin