Dnipropetrovsk region and the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia build relations to establish partnership between the regions of the two countries. This during a visit to the charity organization Blau-Gelbes Kreuz e. V. in Cologne, said Minister of European Affairs Nathanael Liminski.
According to N. Liminski, in the medium term, North Rhine-Westphalia wants to contribute to the reconstruction of the Dnipropetrovsk region through direct assistance, technical and economic cooperation. In addition, topics such as economic and scientific cooperation between North Rhine-Westphalia and Dnipro will be promoted. A joint declaration is planned for the first months of the new year, which should specify cooperation on all fronts. “I see this regional partnership as the next step on the way of Ukraine to the European Union,” N. Liminski noted. Currently, the state government of North Rhine-Westphalia is supporting the future partner region with the delivery of 370 electric generators.
Consul General of Ukraine in Düsseldorf Irina Shum stated: “In spite of Russian military aggression today, we are witnessing an unprecedented expansion of relationships between Ukraine and North Rhine-Westphalia. The regional partnership between North Rhine-Westphalia and Dnipropetrovsk region is a historic event – as a sign of solidarity with Ukrainians who fight for democracy on the frontline, as assistance in difficult times, and as a basis for mutually beneficial cooperation. We highly appreciate the support of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia”.
Local governments are expected to play a significant role in the future cooperation between the two regions, since North Rhine-Westphalia is a self-governing entity, which determines its own structure of local government, in particular the state government. Therefore, the future regional partnership aims to establish more than governmental cooperation; there are plans to expand the cooperation to the level of community associations, institutions of higher education and schools.
In order to establish economic ties with German business, we would like to take a look at the economic profile of North Rhine-Westphalia, which is the most powerful federal state in Germany. Last year, it produced $828.3 billion worth of goods and services (more than 20 percent of Germany’s total share). The volume of sold products in Dnepropetrovsk region in 2021 amounted to $46.1 billion (11.4% of the total volume of Ukraine).
Economic structure of North Rhine-Westphalia
The services sector has the largest share in the structure of the federal state economy – 72.5% ($625.4 billion), which in turn consists of:
22.1% – trade, transport and warehousing, hotel business, IT, communications;
26.1% – finance, insurance and business services, real estate and housing;
24.3% – government and local government services, education and health care, and private households.
In second place is the industrial sector with a share of 26.8% ($221.9) billion. And the economy is least represented by the agribusiness sector – 0.6% ($4.9 billion).
Moreover, North Rhine-Westphalia is the leader of the Federal Republic of Germany in foreign trade. In 2021, for example, it exported products worth $227 billion, making it the second-largest exporter among Germany’s 16 federal states. In 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia’s largest exports were:
In 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia’s largest export destinations were the Netherlands ($25.5 billion), France ($19.3 billion), the United States ($15.1 billion), Belgium ($14.5 billion), and Poland ($13.3 billion).
In 2021, the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia imported $297.2 billion, making it the first largest importer among Germany’s 16 federal states. In 2021, North Rhine-Westphalia imported the most:
In 2021 NRW imported the most from the Netherlands ($55.6 billion), China ($36.7 billion), Belgium ($16.4 billion), France ($14.7 billion) and Italy ($13.5 billion).
Among the outstanding enterprises of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany) the following manufacturers in niche areas are worth mentioning:
Industry, production:
Construction
Metalwork for the construction industry can provide the following metalworking companies – Breuer + Timmer GmbH & amp; Co. KG, Metallbau & amp; Schlosserei ELTZE.
Energy, production:
Cold
The development and production of high-quality refrigeration systems – Intercom Deec GmbH и BERGCOLD.
Light industry, production:
Chemistry, production:
Glass, production:
АПК
Potential sectors of the economy for cooperation between Dnipropetrovsk region and North Rhine-Westphalia are industrial, construction and agricultural sectors. In this regard, the priority for possible investment by companies of the federal state is the production of the following products on the territory of Dnepropetrovsk region:
- construction insulating materials for the construction of quickly erected buildings;
- polymer-coated steel for the production of profile sheets;
sheet glass;- equipment for industrial refrigeration;
- storage centers for fruit and vegetable products;
- agricultural equipment for processing and harvesting;
- food processing and manufacturing equipment;
- irrigation systems;
- alternative energy (green hydrogen, solar energy and their combination.
In the context of joint international projects with the region’s communities, which would be aimed at their sustainable development, projects in the area are proposed:
- joint solid waste management;
- formation of business and industry associations;
- setting priorities for economic development;
- create an economic environment favorable to business development in the community and attraction of investments.
To learn more about Dnipropetrovsk Region’s cooperation with the Federal Republic of Germany, please click herе.
