“ F R O M S T E P TO J U M P,F R O M J U M P TO F L I G H T ”

OTTO LILIENTHAL* 1848 in Anklam (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern)

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, with its central location at the Baltic States, is a bridge head between East and West, between Central Europe, Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea.

In the past 20 years Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has developed into an attractive location for investors looking to establish their business operations. Modern infrastructures, efficient transportation routes, low cost commercial and industrial real estate, especially at quayside are convincing factors.

Additionally, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern also profits from the future oriented approaches of its educational institutes. With the oldest univer-sities in the Baltic region, research and development has a long tradition which innovative companies can profit from. Research and scientific organizations are increasingly becoming active cooperation partners for corporations.

The following pages will give you an initial overview of our state. I would be very pleased to soon welcome you to Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Harry GlaweMinister of Economics, Construction and Tourism Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

M E C K L E N B U R G - V O R P O M M E R N .I N T H E H E A R T O F E U R O P E / /

With its central location in the heart of Europe, Mecklenburg- Vorpommern builds bridges between the East and the West, between Scandinavia and the Continent. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is a hub and crossroads for transnational traffic flows.

A M P L E S PA C E F O R YO U R I N V E S T M E N T.M E C K L E N B U R G - V O R P O M M E R N I N N U M B E R S / /

Total area: 8,955 sq.mi (23,193 km²)Coastline: 1,209 miles (1.945 km)Population: 1,634,734Population density: 70 people per sq mi.GDP: € 34.987 billion (2011)Unemployment rate: 12.5% (2011)(Source: Statistical Yearbook 2012)

Dynamic ranking: ranked 5th among all German statesranked 2nd in family friendliness: over 50% oft he state’s three-year-olds attend publicly funded day care (national average 25%)ranked 1st in productivity: increased by 2.6% (national average -0.6%)ranked 1st in availability of vocational trainingranked 5th in reduction in unemployment: -1.6% (national average -0.7%)*German State Ranking by the Initiative for a New Social Market Economy, INSM (time period 2012)

Travemünde – Malmö/Trelleborg

Travemünde – Helsinki / Riga / Turku

Travemünde – Kaliningrad

Mukran – Kleipeda/St. Petersburg

Rostock – Trelleborg

Rostock – Gedser

Rostock – Hanko /Helsinki /Rauma/Tallinn

Rostock – Kaliningrad / Líepãja

Sassnitz – Rønne

Sassnitz – Trelleborg

Swinemünde – Ystad

Swine

münde –

Malm

ö/København

Swinemünde – Rønne

Puttgarden

– Rødby

WISMAR

SCHWERIN

PARCHIM

NEUBRANDENBURG

GREIFSWALDLUBMIN

SASSNITZ-MUKRAN

WOLGAST

UECKERMÜNDE

HERINGSDORF

STRALSUNDBARTH

ROSTOCK

LAAGE

Travemünde – Malmö/Trelleborg

Travemünde – Helsinki / Riga / Turku

Travemünde – Kaliningrad

Mukran – Kleipeda/St. Petersburg

Rosto

ck –

Trelle

borg

Rosto

ck –

Geds

er

Rosto

ck –

Hank

o /Hels

inki /R

auma/Tallin

n

Rosto

ck – Kaliningrad / Líepãja

Sassn

itz – Rø

nne

Sassn

itz –

Trell

ebor

g

Swinemünde – Ystad

Swinemünde – Malmö/København

Swine

mün

de –

Røn

ne

Puttg

arden

–

Rødb

y

WISMAR

SCHWERIN

PARCHIM

NEUBRANDENBURG

GREIFSWALDLUBMIN

SASSNITZ-MUKRAN

WOLGAST

UECKERMÜNDE

HERINGSDORF

STRALSUNDBARTH

ROSTOCK

LAAGE

Travemünde – Malmö/Trelleborg

Travemünde – Helsinki / Riga / Turku

Travemünde – Kaliningrad

Mukran – Kleipeda/St. Petersburg

Rostock – Trelleborg

Rostock – Gedser

Rostock – Hanko /Helsinki /Rauma/Tallinn

Rostock – Kaliningrad / Líepãja

Sassnitz – Rønne

Sassnitz – Trelleborg

Swinemünde – Ystad

Swine

münde –

Malm

ö/København

Swinemünde – Rønne

Puttgarden

– Rødby

WISMAR

SCHWERIN

PARCHIM

NEUBRANDENBURG

GREIFSWALDLUBMIN

SASSNITZ-MUKRAN

WOLGAST

UECKERMÜNDE

HERINGSDORF

STRALSUNDBARTH

ROSTOCK

LAAGE

P E R F E C T I N F R A S T R U C T U R E :B Y L A N D, S E A , A N D A I R / /

With direct access to the entire Baltic area and a modern transportation network of highways, railroads, ports, and airports, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has become one of the emerging economies in Europe. The first-class infrastructure can also be seen in the logistics networks that link educational and research institutions, companies, and – last but not least – the cities themselves. This highly developed infra-structure enables Mecklenburg-Vorpommern to offer ideal conditions for businesses to grow and prosper.

Rostock (Laage), Schwerin (Parchim), Neubrandenburg (Trollenhagen), Heringsdorf, Barth Rostock, Wismar, Sassnitz-Mukran, Stralsund, Greifswald, Wolgast, Ueckermünde, Lubmin

O N E LO C AT I O N .C O U N T L E S S G O O D R E A S O N S / /

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern offers optimal conditions for new investors, including an excellent research and development landscape, modern logistics and communications networks, and a favorable cost structure compared to other Western European regions. Fast-track approval processes, a wide range of incentives (e.g., for investment, technology, and vocational training), and numerous large-scale quayside industrial sites and parks help businesses locate or expand and provide an ideal investment climate.

– Ideal location between Hamburg, Berlin and Copenhagen – Proximity to Scandinavia and Eastern Europe – Skilled, motivated, and flexible workforce thanks to a family-

friendly environment and an optimal work-life-balance – Efficient permitting processes and attractive grants – Attractive sustainable business zones with a good CO₂ balance

B A LT I C S E A A N D 2 , 0 0 0 L A K E S : I N V E S T W H E R E O T H E R S VA C AT I O N / /

With its picturesque landscape, fresh sea air, and warm hospitality, the region attracts an ever-increasing number of guests from both Germany and abroad. Two thousand kilometers of coastline and more than 2,000 lakes make Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Germany’s number one waterfront paradise – with exclusive marinas and and boating rest areas. Majestic churches, magnificent town halls and civic centers, and massive historic fortifications bear witness to the flourishing Hanseatic period in the German north. Brick Gothic architecture adorns numerous cities and villages. With its charming beauty, the entire state forms a stunning backdrop for wonderful cultural events of all kinds. Numerous castles and manor houses are transformed into enchanting concert halls, and castle parks serve as breathtaking venues for open-air events. In modern health and wellness retreats, along with spa and medical wellness facilities, visitors enjoy peaceful relaxation in the land of health and recuperation, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

I N V E S T M E N T P R O J E C T S N E E D G R E AT M I N D S :S C I E N C E A N D R E S E A R C H / /

The oldest universities in the Baltic area – Rostock and Greifswald – have a long tradition in science and technology. Together with the universities of applied sciences, they support regional companies with highly-skilled graduates as well as professional cooperation in the research and development of new innovations. In addition, numerous scientific institutes, along with the many high-tech companies that have emerged from them, support companies in their work. Innovative technology centers, with their creative work environments, provide optimal conditions for young companies. In Greifswald, for example, the Max Planck Society conducts research with the world’s most powerful nuclear fusion reactor, and the Leibniz Association has research institutes in Rostock and Greifswald.

Universities in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: – University of Rostock – Ernst Moritz Arndt University of Greifswald – Hochschule Wismar, University of Technology, Business, and Design – Fachhochschule Stralsund, University of Applied Sciences – Hochschule Neubrandenburg, University of Applied Sciences – Rostock University of Music and Theater – University of Applied Sciences of Public Administration, Police, and

Administration of Justice Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Güstrow

Q U A L I F I E D E M P LO Y E E S F O R YO U R C O M PA N Y / /

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has a very well-qualified, highly-motivated, and flexible workforce. The regional job agencies and the Ministry of Economics, Labor and Tourism support companies interested in expan-ding or locating here by offering recruiting and training services.

The state’s young people also represent a large pool of potential employees. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has created an outstanding educational infrastructure for the unique German dual vocational training system.

S T R O N G S TAT E .S T R O N G I N D U S T R I E S / /

The maritime and food industries have traditionally been of great importance in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Renewable energies and the healthcare sector are today playing an increasingly important role.

Major industrial sectors: – Automotive and aviation – BPO, IT, service centers – Food and consumer goods – Life sciences – Logistics – Maritime industry – Mechanical engineering, metal and electrical industries – Renewable energies – Tourism – Wood processing

M A R I T I M E I N D U S T R Y / /

In addition to shipbuilding, shipping, and seaports, including the associated logistics industry, the state has wide-ranging expertise in the field of maritime technologies. Offshore technologies represent the industry of the future, and strong synergies between research and industry will be an important basis for its successful development.

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is a leader in the field of marine propulsion systems. Companies like Caterpillar, Voith Turbo Marine, Schottel, and the world’s largest manufacturer of marine propellers, Mecklenburger Metallguss GmbH in Waren (Müritz), are the leading players.

F O O D A N D C O N S U M E R G O O D S / /

The food industry, accounting for a high percentage of sales and almost 17,000 employees, represents one of the most important industrial sectors in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The success of companies like Nestlé, Unilever, Dr. Oetker or Cargill underscores the growing importance of this industry. The Center for Food Technolo-gies offers a comprehensive package of consultancy services.

The food industry network Agrarmarketing Mecklenburg-Vorpommern e. V. supports companies by pooling resources and know-how.

T O U R I S M / /

Since the first German seaside resort, Heiligendamm, was founded here in 1793, the state has evolved into a major tourist magnet. Today, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is one of Europe’s top-performing spa and tourist regions. Each year, over 3,000 holiday facilities welcome more than 6 million guests for more than 28 million overnight stays, making Germany’s most northeastern state one of the most popular destinations for German tourists.

The Baltic coast, with its islands, long sandy beaches, and exceptional water quality, attracts an increasing number of visitors every year. More than 57 health spas, seaside resorts, seaside health spas, and climatic health resorts ensure complete rest and relaxation. The state’s inland areas, with 2,000 lakes, lush green forests, and historical castles and manor houses with their cultural treasures, also enjoy ever-increasing popularity. National parks and nature parks, along with large expanses of unspoiled nature, guarantee every visitor a wonderful and memorable experience.

L I F E S C I E N C E S / /

A dynamic life sciences industry with very high growth potential has developed in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Companies in the fields of biomedical engineering and biotechnology profit from the outset from many favorable conditions, including the proximity to universities and scientific institutions in the region.

Eighteen business incubators and centers of excellence facilitate cooperation in multinational networks, fueling research and indus-trial applications at the highest level. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s technology incentive programs are focused on collaborative research, offering optimal conditions for innovation.

R E N E WA B L E E N E R G I E S / /

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern already generates more than 50 percent of its electricity through renewable resources, such as wind power, bio-mass, hydropower, and solar energy. The high level of synergy density between science and industry has made Mecklenburg-Vorpommern one of the leading German states in wind-power generation. There are also numerous projects in research and industry in the field of photovoltaics.

The successes of Nordex, a global player in the wind-energy sector, and Centrosolar, a market leader in the manufacturing of innovative solar modules, reflect the impressive growth of this industry in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The know-how of companies from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern – from the development and manu-facturing of products to their application – offers major growth opportunities on the global market.

M E C H A N I C A L E N G I N E E R I N G , M E TA L A N D E L E C T R I C A L I N D U S T R I E S / /

The mechanical engineering industry, together with the metal and electrical industries, accounting for a total of almost 22,000 emplo-yees, continues to gain significance in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The metal and electrical industries play a key role in innovation, making them important growth engines for the state economy.

The mechanical engineering industry in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is focused on the production of special-purpose machinery. With its technological know-how, this sector offers long-term growth poten-tial. Companies like Eisengießerei Torgelow and DMR Mechanische Werkstätten GmbH Rostock exemplify the solid expertise in our region.

W O O D P R O C E S S I N G / /

The lumber industry enjoys a long standing tradition in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. With its strong links to the Baltic Sea countries, the state is an ideal hub for the import and export of wood, intermediate timber products and wood end products. State-of-the-art processing centers receive low-cost shipments of wood from eastern and northern European areas. The resulting wood products are sold worldwide.

The wood industry in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has experienced a burst of growth and developed into a wood competence center of European significance as can be seen with the establishment of a major wood cluster in the Hanseatic city of Wismar.

B P O, I T, S E R V I C E C E N T E R S / /

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has evolved into a strong business loca-tion for the service sector over the past several years, focusing on highly-qualified service providers: The state will continue to support sophisticated projects requiring a high level of qualification.

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern offers a modern infrastructure for the information and communications technology field. The close cooperation with universities, along with the bundling of activities and know-how in the IT-Initiative MV e.V. network, guarantees the continued success of this sector.

LO G I S T I C S / /

As a gateway to the Baltic north and a hub of national and international transport networks, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern offers important trans-European transportation routes with additional capacities for the logistics sector. Modern ports with excellent land and sea connections are solidly integrated in international transport networks, especially on the north-south axis.

With its modern and future-oriented infrastructure, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, as the main transportation hub for people and goods to Scandinavia, the Baltic States, and Southern Europe, offers optimal conditions for successful business activities: not only for the logistics sector, but for all importing and exporting companies in the region.

A U T O M O T I V E A N D AV I AT I O N / /

A strong supply chain network has evolved in Mecklenburg- Vorpommern, with more than 60 highly-specialized automotive sup-pliers. Companies like TRW Airbag Systems, Webasto or the Austrian Oberaigner Group, and Spheros have expanded significantly in the past years, reflecting the strong growth opportunities in this sector. The Automotive MV network represents the interests of the industry with billions of euros of revenues.

Roughly 30 medium-sized suppliers in this sector have already loca-ted in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, attracted by its favorable location near the aviation center of Hamburg. The Luft- und Raumfahrt in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern aerospace network supports companies through industry development, the concentration of know-how, and networking between manufacturers and suppliers, which are integrated in the value chain as second and third tier manufacturers.

I M P R I N T / /

PublisherInvest in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern GmbHMichael Sturm (Managing Director)Dr. Stefan Rudolph (Chairman of the Shareholders‘ Meeting)

Concept and designPeperoni Werbe- und PR-Agentur GmbH, www.peperonihaus.de

Photo creditsCard frontsCentrosolar: Card 15 | FH Stralsund: Card 9 | Invest in MV: Cards 3, 4,5, 8 | Shutterstock: Card 18 | TM V: Cards 7, 10, 13 | Volster: Card 6 |Werk 3: Cards 11, 12, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20 | Wirtschaftsministerium: Card 2Card backsDr. Oetker: Card 12 | FOX/Sven George: Card 9 | Invest in MV: Cards2, 4, 18 | Masine, CC license, Quelle piqs: Card 3 | Nordex: Card 15 |TM V: Cards 1, 7, 20 | Werk 3: Cards 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20

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