Business (life)

Femern Belt Development is once again – for the sixth time – represented at one of the largest international real estate and investment fairs, EXPO REAL, taking place in Munich from 5–7 October.

Together with Business Lolland-Falster and Business Vordingborg, Femern Belt Development is part of the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein’s stand at EXPO REAL. The aim is to build contacts, promote the region and increase interest in investments in the Fehmarn Belt Region.

“There is a steadily growing interest among developers and investors in the corridor between Hamburg and Copenhagen. This applies in particular to the area between Lübeck and Køge, where major industrial sites are located. On the Danish side of the Fehmarn Belt, the corridor between Køge and Lolland is attracting particular attention. I have never before experienced such strong advance interest from international investors and developers as I will be meeting at EXPO REAL. And thanks to our German network, we are also in contact with many German developers and investors who are increasingly looking towards the north,” says Stig Rømer Winther, CEO of Femern Belt Development.

International Investors’ Interest Remains Strong
“Has the announcement of delays in the Fehmarn project and the uncertainty surrounding the final opening date weakened investor interest?”

“The interest among international investors has not diminished. However, among local and regional investors, the uncertainty surrounding the German hinterland connections has had a negative impact and created a vacuum. When it is communicated from the German side that the Fehmarnsund tunnel will not be completed before the end of 2032 at the earliest, uncertainty arises — and if there is one thing investors dislike, it is just that uncertainty."

"There is therefore a strong need for Sund & Bælt to announce a revised plan for the completion of the Fehmarn Belt project. At the same time, we are pushing for an accelerated process regarding the German hinterland connections, especially the completion of the Fehmarnsund tunnel. This is a clear wish from the business community on both sides of the Fehmarn Belt,” says Stig Rømer Winther.

He also looks forward to an imminent decision from the Danish government regarding the location of five new business areas with particularly favourable conditions for establishment, with Rødbyhavn among the candidates.

“With the international interest in the Femern Port & Industrial Park, it would be an obvious choice for Rødbyhavn to become home to one of the five upcoming attractive Danish business parks,” says Stig Rømer Winther.

Facts about EXPO REAL
The 27th International Trade Fair for Property and Investment will be held at Messe München from 5–7 October.

EXPO REAL covers the entire property sector and offers an international networking platform for the key markets in Europe, the Middle East and the USA.

The fair’s extensive conference programme, with around 400 speakers, provides participants with valuable insights into the latest trends and innovations in real estate, investment and finance.

The large production and port facilities of the Fehmarnbelt project in Rødbyhavn are ideal for building the new ships that will strengthen the Royal Danish Navy Fleet.
The three municipalities of Lolland, Guldborgsund and Vordingborg have highlighted in unison the major production opportunities available when the tunnel element manufacturing in Rødbyhavn ends in a few years’ time.

Strategically strong location
“In Rødbyhavn, we have a gigantic work harbour and one of the world’s largest production facilities, that in all cases will be put to new use when the Fehmarnbelt construction is completed. With just ten minutes to Germany, Central Europe next door and open access to the Baltic Sea, it is a strategically strong location, with ideal potential for expansion or adaptation – whatever the need may be,” states Holger Schou Rasmussen, Mayor of Lolland Municipality

He also highlights the close cooperation already existing between Denmark and Germany in the emerging Fehmarnbelt region. A cooperation that can be built on. There is also positive experience of attracting and retaining skilled workers:
“We have seen thousands of workers that have come to work on building the world's longest immersed tunnel, so we are confident we can recruit the right workforce for other major tasks too.”

Will create growth and development
Simon Hansen, Mayor of Guldborgsund Municipality, stresses:
“New activities in Rødbyhavn will create growth and development – not just locally, but for the whole of Lolland-Falster and South Zealand. Large investments are at stake. With Rødbyhavn as the centre for a new fleet production, our entire region will receive a major boost.
It’s not just about jobs and new business development, it is also about education, settlement, networks, cooperation, competitiveness and innovation.”

A visionary proposal
Mikael Smed, Mayor of Vordingborg Municipality, adds:
“We are facing serious challenges – not only in Denmark, but internationally. We share the responsibility to ensure safety and stability. It is important to cooperate, think innovatively and act quickly. Our region can offer well-functioning port and relevant production facilities to help solve serious capacity issues. Our proposal is a visionary contribution to a sustainable and future-proof solution.”

The Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs is ready to collaborate with local stakeholders to establish a large new business area on Lolland, in connection with the tunnel element factory in Rødbyhavn, which the Danish Parliament has decided can continue production after the completion of the Fehmarn project.

This was affirmed by Morten Bødskov, Minister of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs during a visit to the Fehmarn project on November 11th. The purpose of the visit was to discuss how to realize the area’s significant potential by establishing a business park on the land behind the tunnel element factory, an area that has already attracted national and international interest.

The Municipality of Lolland has been working on plans for a business area for some time, which, according to the municipality, could become a center for Denmark’s green transition.

Unique Opportunity for Local Jobs
The Fehmarn Belt Tunnel will, in the future, connect Denmark and Germany when it is completed, and the project simultaneously has the potential to form a strong foundation for future local business development and the opportunity to create new jobs, the Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs states in a press release, and Minister of Business Morten Bødskov comments:

“When the Fehmarn Tunnel is completed, it could become a real game-changer for the local business community, both in Rødby and beyond. It’s a unique opportunity to create new local jobs, and we must do everything we can to seize it. The race for the jobs of the future is already on, and if we do not stay alert, we risk watching tomorrow's jobs pass Denmark by. That’s why we simply cannot afford to stand idle when we have the opportunity to create favourable conditions for businesses here on Lolland and why, I am very pleased that the Lolland Municipality is working on a new business park in the area.”

Lolland as a Dynamic Growth Center
In relation to with the meeting between the MinistryIndustry, Business and Financial Affairs, the municipality, and other stakeholders, Mayor Holger Schou Rasmussen states:

“The Fehmarn connection is a historic opportunity that is already in the process of transforming Lolland into a dynamic growth center. It is creating thousands of jobs and will, in the future, attract even more companies, which will strengthen both our local and regional economy. At the same time, the connection will improve our accessibility to the rest of Europe, making Lolland more attractive for both tourism and business. In this context, we are working to develop a new business park close to the motorway and the upcoming tunnel, which will create optimal conditions for new businesses. All this is happening while we preserve and protect our unique nature and environment.”

Roskilde University (RUC) and Christian Albrechts University of Kiel are now launching a two-year master’s program, the "Double Master's Degree in Business Administration." Students will complete the program partly in Roskilde and partly in Kiel, working on projects with fellow students from both universities. Through project work and coursework, students will learn to identify opportunities and challenges in business management, particularly in collaborations between Danish and German companies, authorities, and organizations.

The program awards students a master’s degree from both Roskilde University and Christian Albrechts University of Kiel.

International Business Collaborations
The forthcoming Fehmarn Belt connection is the backdrop for this Danish-German educational collaboration. This connection necessitates new knowledge, increased cooperation, and innovation on both sides of the border. This educational program provides students with a unique opportunity to study international business collaborations, both in the Fehmarn region and in other regions in Denmark and Germany.

In-depth Knowledge of Danish-German Collaboration
Students enrolled at RUC begin their first semester in Roskilde. The second semester takes place in Kiel, where they meet German students and undertake a project together over the following two semesters.

"The advantage for students in this program is that they gain in-depth knowledge of Danish-German collaboration and business culture in both countries. Germany is Denmark's largest export market, and there is high demand for professionals with expertise in this area," says Associate Professor Margit Neisig, RUC, in a press release.

Program Conducted in English
It is not necessary to know German to complete the new program, as it is conducted in English. However, there is an option to take German language courses alongside the studies.

"With this program, Roskilde University emphasizes that we are the region's university. Region Zealand is focused on developing Danish-German cooperation, as the Fehmarn connection will transform us into a border region with significantly closer ties to Germany. This can boost the entire area," says Associate Professor Margit Neisig, RUC.

The double master’s degree program will be launched in the autumn of 2024.

With the opening of a fast charging station with 18 charging stations, Business Park Falster has added another activity at Exit 43 on the E47 motorway.

Clever is behind the initiative, increasing the capacity on Lolland-Falster for the ever-growing electric car fleet.

The fast charging station is not the only activity in the business park.

Region Zealand is in the process of building an ambulance station, and Dansk Stillads Service A/S, headquartered in Hvidovre, has a new branch under construction.

According to Business Lolland-Falster, further activities are on the way to Business Park Falster, where several plots have been sold to companies to be announced at a later date.

Open to large businesses
Business Park Falster, owned by Guldborgsund Municipality, has a total business area of 60 hectares.

The business park provides space for large businesses and transport-demanding industries, including warehousing, transport, logistics and production companies. The business park also offers space for smaller businesses such as offices and trade businesses. 

Last but not least, it is possible to accommodate service industries such as petrol stations, eating places and other service activities that can be associated with a business area close to the motorway.