Thuringia is powerful magnet for both business and tourism

In the Middle Ages, the Wartburg castle in Thuringia was one of the main centers of social and cultural life in Europe.

Martin Luther, the reformer, translated the Bible there. Famous composers and poets, such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe or Friedrich Schiller, lived and worked in Thüringia. The Bauhaus Academy of Arts created new ideas for modern architecture in the 1920's, which have influenced architecture all over the world. Thüringia (or "Thüringen" in German) provides many opportunities for exercise, relaxation, and a variety for leisure activities.

The region of Thuringia, located in the heart of Europe and smallest of the five new states, extends from Bavaria in the south to the foot of the Harz Mountains in the north and is crossed by the Thuringian Forest (the "Thuringer Wald") that offers travelers more than 7,000 miles of designated walking paths.

Thuringia’s capital city, Erfurt, offers many outdoor eateries and cafés.

The capital city of Erfurt becomes a magical place each year when Christmas rolls around. Shops and department stores are decorated for Advent, town guides dressed as Father Christmases and Christmas angels offer guided tours through the town. Of course, the 151st Erfurt Christmas Market, which takes place from November 26 through December 22, 2001, cannot be missed. The 25-meter high decorated Christmas tree stands in front of the backdrop of the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary and the Church of St. Severi. The nativity scene there with 14 hand carved nearly life sized wooden figures are the main attractions of the Christmas Market.

There is however much more to discover. In the more than 200 wooden huts from the Cathedral Square to the Fish Market and through to the Anger, the visitor can find everything that belongs to the Christmas season. One can find many examples of Thuringian craftsmanship, starting with Christmas tree decorations to the famous blue printed textiles as well as a wide range of pottery ware, Thuringian specialities such as Christstollen known as Erfurt Schittchen, lots of ideas for presents and naturally gingerbread and hot mulled wine.

The Christmas Market is open daily from 10 am to 8 pm and on Friday and Saturday from 10 to 9 pm. The citizens of Erfurt will say that theirs is one of the best Christmas Markets in Germany. Whether that is true or not must be discovered for ones self.

The Thuringian Steigenberger and InterCity Hotels have a special Christmas offer for the time from the end of November until December 30, 2001. The following hotels taking part are: Steigenberger Hotel Thüringer Hof in Eisenach, Steigenberger MAXX Hotel in Jena, Steigenberger Esplanade in Jena, InterCityHotel in Erfurt and the InterCityHotel in Weimar.

Erfurt is the cultural center of Thuringia as well. Formerly a rich trading center, its well-preserved, medieval city center contains a wealth of churches, cloisters and old merchants' houses. The university, one of the first in northern Europe, was founded in 1392. Martin Luther lived in the city's Augustinian monastery as a monk, and exhibits relating to his life can be viewed there. Erfurt's museums contain valuable collections of medieval treasures.

Historic German architecture charms visitors in Thuringia.

The southern 1000-year-old town of Weimar was home of many great men, including Luther, Bach, Liszt, Wagner and Schiller. A great cultural centre of the past, the city experienced its golden age in the 18th and 19th century. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe lived here for 50 years and was a major influence as a civil servant, theatre director and poet. Goethe's house is now the National Museum. Literature enthusiasts should not miss the Goethe and Schiller Archive. Bach was Court Organist and Court Concertmaster, Liszt and Richard Strauss were both directors of music. For further information, see www.thueringen-tourismus.de.

But Thuringia is more than a tourist destination. It is an economic success story. Compared to other East German states, Thüringia’s economic development agency boasts that the region has achieved the highest export rate, the most dynamic growth and the largest number of patents registered per capita.

During the communist era a disprportionately high number of large combines were located in Thuringia that virtually collapsed after the fall of the Wall. The electronics and technical industries around Erfurt, Eisenach and Sömmerda, the potash industry in the southern Harz and on the Werra, the light engineering and optical industry in Jena, and car-making in Eisenach, Gotha and Suhl all had to be restructured and modernized.

New industries had to be developed, and the skilled trades and the small business sector re-established. In Jena, for example, the Carl Zeiss Combine, which had once employed nearly 30,000 people, was transformed into an innovation and service center. The workforce shrank dramatically, but several thousand employees and newly founded firms are now contributing to the region’s rise as a center for sensor and microsystems technology as well as the opticals and laser industry.

Jenoptik, Zeiss’s successor company, is now successfully traded on the stock market (see-accompanying article about Jenoptik AG in this report. The small and medium-sized business sector is once again dominant in Thuringia.

Traditional industries, such as porcelain manufacturing and the production of toys, have adjusted to world market conditions. The state has also drawn a lot of attention to itself by attracting a number of industrial "superstars": In Eisenach, for example, General Motors subsidiary Opel built a modern automotive factory. Japanese high-tech firm Fujitsu took over the Robotron computer factory in Sömmerda where it now produces up to two million personal computers a year.

Modern freeways have been built throughout Thuringia in recent years.

The total number of employees in the manufacturing sector increased by 6% in 1998. This figure put Thuringia in first place among the new Länder. Although Thuringia’s unemployment rate is still high at 14.8%, this figure is currently below the eastern German average. In order to create new jobs, Thuringia has developed a number of state programs that promote business start-ups and support training facilities and research centers. Thuringia’s state government has invested heavily in incubator centers to support new high tech and biotech companies through the early stages of their development.

One example is the "Biocentrum" in Jena.Thuringia administers a wide range of financial incentives to companies locating in the state. These subsidies can reach up to 50% of total capital cost. These programs include direct grants, bonuses, loans, equity capital and state loan guarantees. Labor-related assistance includes training programs and promotion of research and development.

Considering its modern infrastructure, quality of life, well trained labor force and subsidy programs for foreign investors, there has arguably been no better time to invest in Thuringia.

For further information, see http://www.leg.thueringen.de.—