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In this issue

Inward investment from China shows the region is looking to the future

Sep 26, 2012

Strengths and location help cope with change

Inward investment from China shows the region is looking to the future, writes James Wilson

Interactive feature

North Rhine-Westphalia’s unarguable attraction has remained in its privileged position at the heart of Europe
Hannelore Kraft (left), state premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, with chancellor Angela Merkel at a recent energy summit in Berlin ©Reuters Sep 26, 2012

‘Red-green’ victory makes waves in Berlin

Hannelore Kraft, leader of the local Social Democrats, is coming to the fore nationally, writes Quentin Peel

Sep 26, 2012

Banks compete fiercely for corporate clients

In the wake of the financial crisis, the remaining banks are proving robust, says James Wilson

Sep 26, 2012

Lampe takes industrialist approach to banking

James Wilson says the private bank’s tendency to act counter-cyclically has worked in its favour

Johannes Teyssen (left) of Eon and Peter Terium of RWE ©Bloomberg Sep 26, 2012

German giants map different paths

RWE focuses on European market while Eon looks for opportunities abroad, says Gerrit Wiesmann

Sep 26, 2012

Borders blur as co-operation flourishes

Links between the state and its Dutch neighbours have blossomed over the past decade, writes Matt Steinglass

Axel Heitmann of Lanxess ©AFP Sep 26, 2012

Lanxess finds formula to confound critics

Seven years after Bayer spun off a collection of unwanted low-margin businesses, the new group is in rude health, writes Chris Bryant