OECD commends Central Denmark Region - Region Midtjylland

factsmWestern Denmark is branded internationally,especially in the areas of information and communicationtechnology (ICT), life sciences (biotech/biomedicine)and cleantech (renewableenergy/environmental technology). As a newinitiative, FVI also focuses on design.All in all, FVI has helped to create or retain2,256 jobs in western Denmark since 2007. Ofthese, 481 are in Central Denmark.Foreign investment does not happen ofits own accord. It takes a professionaleffort to convince major foreigncompanies that it can be to their advantageto settle in western Denmark. Headof the Trade Council, Vibeke Rovsing Lauritzentherefore praises Foreningen VestdanskInvesteringsfremme's cooperationwith Invest in Denmark.Photo: Robert Steadman.Read more at www.investindk.comhere, but also maintain the livelihood of the company’s suppliersand business partners,” explains Lauritzen.Chinese expectationsIn this context, she praises the local work of FVI toequip municipalities to present themselves convincinglyto foreign delegations. Everything has to be justright, down to the smallest detail when, for example, thesenior management of a large Chinese group visits.“They expect the mayor to put in an appearance. Bigcities like Aarhus know that, but it’s not certain that all thesmaller municipalities have experience of what it takes to landan investment. This is where FVI really comes in,” Lauritzennotes.As an example, she mentions a manual written by FVI toprovide municipalities with useful advice on investment promotion.The manual includes a checklist for municipalities receivingvisits from foreign investors.International schools“There has been a professionalisation in the municipalities ofthe three regions with regard to preparing the ground for internationalinvestment. I have the impression that the politiciansand civil servants are extremely committed to doing things inthe best way possible, and this is a positive development,” shesays.Much has improved, but Vibeke Rovsing Lauritzen would, forexample, still like to see more international schools in westernDenmark.“Extra facilities play a major role when foreign knowledgecompanies are looking for a suitable location. They need a highlyqualified workforce – often international staff – and so thepossibility of international schooling is important,” she says.Money for new artIn August 2012, the Regional Council of Central Denmark Regiongranted DKK 250,000 for the development of Art Writing – anew art form which combines literature with visual art, sound,performance and digital media. The development projectconsists of a number of sub-projects, such as an internationalconference, mapping, presentation and dissemination of the artform as well as student-run workshops at partner institutions,including Forfatterskolen (writers’ school), the Jutland ArtAcademy and Aarhus University. The project will lead to theestablishment of a Knowledge Centre for Art Writing based atAarhus Centre for Literature at Godsbanen in Aarhus.Information: tine.mogensen@ru.rm.dkDIALOGUE theme: The Region through outsiders’ eyes 9