Saxony-Anhalt, the "state of early risers", is taking off:

Europe's largest waterway crossroads near Magdeburg

Be it in the field of logistics, automotive or renewable energy, our state is one of the leading economic and technological centers in both Europe and the world. Shrewd companies world-wide benefit from our outstanding infrastructure, the integration in the European transportation networks, the intelligent body of skilled workers based in Saxony-Anhalt and the outstanding grant possibilities from the EU, the Federal Republic and the state. Flexibility and productivity belong to our "early riser" qualities, as does our quick and uncomplicated collaboration with the authorities. Justifiably, Saxony-Anhalt takes its place among the three most attractive German states. Today the "state of early risers" is Germany's second most dynamic state and also takes first place among the new states*.

*Source: Federal States Rankings 2007 of the Initiative for a New Social Market Economy and the German magazine "WirtschaftsWoche".

For us "rising earlier" means:

• We are the most dynamic Federal State in eastern Germany and second in the Federal Republic (Quelle: Bundesländerranking 2007 der Initiative Neue Soziale Marktwirtschaft und der WirtschaftsWoche).
• We are "early risers"; our objectives are innovation and research in important new industries.
• Be it wind or photovoltaic power - we are the home of European and global state-of-the-art technology.
• 20.5% of the power produced today is already taken from renewable energy.
• At 3 %, our gross domestic product was above the national average last year. With the creation of more than 6,000 new jobs within its industries, Saxony-Anhalt boasts the second highest employment growth rate nationwide.
• For the first time since reunification, the number of workers liable to pay social security insurance rose in 2006.
• People and companies from all over the world feel at home with us, that's why we like to rise early!
• Our state has the highest labor productivity in eastern Germany.
• In 2006 the export ratio rose to 28.2 % and the number of business enterprises that registered was greater than those that deregistered.
• Saxony-Anhalt is the crossroads of Europe, whether by road, rail or water.
• After the developments of past years in the state, the remarkably motivated, productive and loyal citizens of Saxony-Anhalt are optimistic about the future.