Friedrich Merz courts foreign investors in Berlin, expects €800 billion by 2030

Chancellor Friedrich Merz convened Germany’s first federal investment summit in Berlin on 21 October 2026, inviting roughly 200 international company leaders to explore industrial uses of artificial intelligence and to consider new capital for German industry.

The event opened with long queues at security that delayed the programme and provided an anecdotal reminder of German bureaucracy. A younger man in a dark-blue suit waiting at the door laughed that “In China this would have gone faster,” capturing the impatience of some guests.

Message of stability, big numbers

From the lectern Merz appealed for confidence in Germany’s economy and highlighted its standing among advanced nations. He said Germany remains financially stable and is the only G7 industrial country that still holds a solid AAA credit rating with the major rating agencies. He also told investors that “Some clichés tend to be true” and argued that the country’s industrial base and political stability, embedded in the single EU market, are advantages to build on.

Merz outlined government-backed spending plans he presented as opportunities for investors: about €500 billion to be invested in infrastructure in coming years and roughly €150 billion per year on defence. He said the state would work to remove investment barriers, speed up and digitalise administration, and lower energy costs.

Deutsche Bank chief executive Christian Sewing urged a more optimistic view of Germany’s prospects: “In Germany we often talk about the problems,” he said, adding separately, “Do not focus only on the problems.” Sewing argued that foreign investors frequently see opportunities in Germany that locals tend to overlook.

Several major technology companies pledged concrete commitments. Nvidia’s Jensen Huang offered partnership and said the company would make available around 10,000 high-performance “superchips” for German industry and intends to invest about €1 billion in AI data centres in Germany. Huang warned German firms that “You will not get another chance, so seize this one.” The federal government announced it would provide financial support of several hundred million euros for joint projects.

On the sidelines, Amazon said it plans to invest €16 billion next year in cloud computing infrastructure and AI deployment in Germany. The Bundesbank reported that foreign investors put €86 billion into Germany last year — almost double the 2024 figure — and Chancellor Merz said he expects roughly €800 billion more in direct foreign investment into German industry by 2030. Government officials described the summit as a mobilisation effort rather than a venue for signing contracts: the aim was to persuade and prepare companies to invest.

Photo: arhiva