Invitation

Dear Madam, dear Sir,

Investments are the key to a competi- tive industry, good labour market conditions, and lasting prosperity. A modern, sustainable and efficient infrastructure is crucial for future growth and social cohesion. Over the past few years, investment dynamism in both and Europe has been moderate in many important areas. High unemploy- ment in particular remains a great problem in parts of Europe, and can affect society as a whole. It is therefore more important than ever that we set the right priorities for a competitive and stronger Germany and Europe. This is why I set up an external high-level commission of experts on “strengthening investment in Germany” in summer 2014.

The commission will present its conclusions and recom- mendations for action at the conference on investment on 21 April. We want to enter into dialogue with you on this. We intend to discuss how to address the weakness in investment in Germany and Europe, and how we can coordinate the needed national and European initiatives. In this context we also want to explore ways to strengthen infrastructure investment at the municipal level. We want to look at if and how private capital can be involved in the financing of infrastructure, without repeating the mistakes of the past, and how the policy environment can Investment Congress be designed­ so that companies invest more and improve their capacity for innovation. I look forward to seeing you Policy options to at the conference! encourage higher investment Sincerely yours, in Germany and Europe

21 April 2015, Berlin Sigmar Gabriel Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Programme 1:45 p.m. Panel 2: Procurement and funding of public infrastructure Malu Dreyer, Prime-Minister of the State of Rhineland-Palatinate 9:00 a.m. Admission Jürgen Fitschen, Co-Chief Executive 10:15 a.m. Beginning of the conference Officer of the AG Aula, Moderation: Katja Dofel Dr. Ulrich Schröder, Chief Executive Officer of the KfW Banking Group followed by Opening Speech Michael Vassiliadis, Chairman of the Sigmar Gabriel, IG Bergbau, Chemie, Energie Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Dipl.-Ing. Alois Schedl, Managing Director and Energy of ASFINAG 10:45 a.m. Presentation of the report from the high-level 3:00 p.m. Coffee break commission of experts Prof. Marcel Fratzscher, Ph.D., 3:15 p.m. Panel 3: Framework conditions for private Chairman of the commission investments , Head of External Discussion Affairs at Daimler AG 11:30 a.m. Key Note: Kick-Starting the Engine: Prof. Dr. Siegfried Russwurm, Member Investment, Jobs and Prosperity of the Managing Board of AG Angel Gurría, Prof. Dr. Monika Schnitzer, Chair of OECD Secretary General Comparative Economics, Ludwig- Maximilians-University Munich 11:45 a.m. Panel 1: Public and private investment in Dr. Markus Kerber, Director General Europe and Germany and Member of the Presidential Board Sigmar Gabriel, of the BDI Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Stefan Körzell, Executive Board Member and Energy of the DGB Dr. Wolfgang Schäuble, Federal Minister of Finance 4:30 p.m. Concluding Speech Angel Gurría, OECD Secretary General Dr. Rainer Sontowski, Federica Guidi, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Minister for Economic Development (Italy) Economic Affairs and Energy Kristalina Georgieva, 4:45 p.m. Reception Commission Vice-President for Budget and Human Resources

12:45 p.m. Lunch break Information

Organiser / Venue Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy Scharnhorststraße 34–37 10115 Berlin Entrance: Invalidenstraße 48

Registration Please register by the following website: www.bmwi-registrierung.de/investitionskongress

The number of participants is limited. Participants must present their confirmation of participation and a valid photo ID in order to gain access to the event.

Organisation

For further information, please email E-Mail: [email protected]

Hotline: +49 40 370886-365

Public transport Berlin-Hauptbahnhof Bus M41, M85, 120, 142, 245, 123, 147, TXL Imprint Tram M5 Published by Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy 11019 Berlin www.bmwi.de The Federal Ministry for March 2015 Economic Affairs and Energy was awarded the auditberuf­ Design undfamilie® (“career and family Vagedes & Schmid GmbH, certificate”) for its family-friend- Hamburg ly human resources policy. Images The certificate is awarded by shutterstock.de beruf­undfamilie gGmbH, an ­initiative of the non-profit Editorial department Hertie Foundation. Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy