German companies are looking eastwards. Daimler’s move to bring in Abu Dhabi-based Aabar Investments is seen by many as a showcase of how large German industrial groups are turning to the Middle East in search for cash, anchor investors and growth opportunities.

The global economic recession has made many German blue-chip companies, which often have a large free float, vulnerable to attacks from hostile shareholders and has spurred the need for fresh equity to bolster their balance sheets.